ESHB 2319
In CommitteeHouse
DD RHC facilities renaming
Renaming certain state residential facilities for persons with developmental disabilities.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill officially renames four state residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities from 'school' to 'residential habilitation center' to better reflect their purpose. It updates related laws to clarify these are not educational institutions and establishes timelines for phasing out long-term residential care at the Rainier and Yakima Valley centers, while creating a new fund to support community-based services.
- Rename Fircrest, Rainier, and Yakima Valley schools to Fircrest, Rainier, and Yakima Valley residential habilitation centers, and update all legal references to reflect the new names.
- Permanently establish the renamed facilities as residential habilitation centers under state law, clarifying they are not schools but service centers for people with developmental disabilities.
- Set a timeline for closing the Rainier residential habilitation center to new admissions as of July 27, 2025, and to all admissions by June 30, 2027, unless the number of long-term residents reaches zero earlier.
- Require the Yakima Valley residential habilitation center to stop long-term residential admissions once its census reaches eight residents, then shift to crisis stabilization and respite services only.
- Create the Dan Thompson memorial developmental disabilities community services account to fund community-based services for people with developmental disabilities, using proceeds from property transactions at the renamed facilities.
- Require the Department of Social and Health Services to submit regular reports on resident transitions, staffing changes, and facility capacity, especially related to the Rainier closure.
Who is affected
- Residents of the renamed residential habilitation centers — Residents currently living at Fircrest, Rainier, Yakima Valley, and Interlake residential habilitation centers are affected by the renaming and, in the case of Rainier and Yakima Valley, by planned phase-out timelines and transition support services.
- Staff at the renamed facilities — Employees at these facilities may be offered opportunities to transfer to other state-run community-based programs or facilities as part of the transition process.
- Families and legal guardians of residents — Families and legal guardians of residents will be involved in transition planning and may see changes in where and how their loved ones receive care.
- Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council — The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council will be consulted on how money from the Dan Thompson memorial account is spent to support community-based services.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill creates a dedicated, ring-fenced account—the Dan Thompson memorial account—to fund community-based services for people with developmental disabilities, which, if properly capitalized, could significantly expand access to home- and community-based services (HCBS), reducing reliance on institutional care and enabling greater autonomy and quality of life.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 14, Sec. 71A.20.170(6)The bill codifies the right of former Rainier residents to return once within one year of moving to a community setting, reinforcing autonomy and reducing coercion in transition planning—this is a meaningful safeguard for vulnerable individuals who may face pressure to accept substandard placements.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 10(2), Sec. 71A.20.191(2)Renaming the facilities from “school” to “residential habilitation center” corrects a misleading statutory classification that may have contributed to misallocation of resources and confusion about the facilities’ purpose—this clarifies their role as adult service centers, not schools, and supports more appropriate funding and staffing models.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5), Sec. 71A.20.020(1)Mandated biannual reporting on transition outcomes—including deaths, placements, and staff retention—creates transparency and accountability, enabling oversight bodies and families to track whether transitions are safe and effective, and to intervene if outcomes deteriorate.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 11, Sec. 71A.20.195Authorizing Washington State University to operate a dairy/forage research facility at the Rainier site—while generating revenue for a university revolving fund—could create local jobs and economic activity in rural Pierce County, though the scale and permanence of those benefits are uncertain.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 4, Sec. 28B.30.810
Potential Concerns (5)
The phase-out of long-term residential care at Rainier and Yakima Valley centers—especially the abrupt cutoff of all admissions by June 30, 2027—risks destabilizing care for vulnerable residents with complex needs who may not be ready for community placement, potentially increasing risk of institutionalization in inappropriate settings (e.g., emergency rooms, jails) or homelessness. Transition timelines do not account for regional capacity gaps in community-based services, which are already under strain.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 71A.20.191(1)(b)The Yakima Valley center’s forced closure to long-term admissions once the census reaches eight residents—without guarantee of parallel expansion of crisis/respite capacity—may leave residents without appropriate placement options, especially those requiring high-intensity support, increasing risk of crisis episodes or unsafe placements.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 9(1)(a), Sec. 71A.20.180(1)(a)The requirement that expenditures from the Dan Thompson memorial account must “supplement, and may not replace, supplant, or reduce” current state spending on community services is unenforceable in practice and creates no new funding guarantee—legislatures have repeatedly failed to maintain baseline funding, and this language offers no legal recourse to ensure new money is added, not just repurposed.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 8(6)While the bill offers reassignment opportunities to Rainier/Yakima staff, it does not mandate retention of current wages, benefits, or union status in new placements—staff may be moved into lower-paid or non-state jobs (e.g., private group homes), especially if community placements are underfunded, undermining job security and career continuity for frontline workers.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 10(3)(a)-(d), Sec. 71A.20.191(3)The bill relies on proceeds from property sales/leases at the renamed facilities to fund community-based services, but real estate markets are volatile and may not yield sufficient or predictable revenue—especially given that only “surplus” property is eligible, and key parcels may be retained for operations, risking underfunding of needed community housing and support services.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 8(a), Sec. 71A.20.170(2)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
Current residents—especially those with high support needs or behavioral challenges—are at risk of disrupted care if community placements are unavailable or under-resourced. While the bill aims to move people into community settings, many may not be ready for transition, and the forced closure timeline may lead to inappropriate placements or homelessness. However, those who successfully transition may gain greater autonomy and community integration.
Frontline staff (direct support professionals, nurses, therapists) face job uncertainty during transition. While the bill offers reassignment opportunities, it does not guarantee retention of current pay, benefits, or union protections—many may be shifted to lower-paid private providers or leave the field entirely. Those who stay in state roles may benefit from reduced institutional stress, but overall job security is weakened.
Families and guardians may gain peace of mind from increased oversight and transition planning requirements, and from the right of return provisions. However, they may also face emotional and logistical burdens during rushed transitions, and may be forced to advocate intensely to ensure their loved ones receive appropriate community supports—especially if local capacity is lacking.
The Developmental Disabilities Council gains formal consultation authority over the Dan Thompson memorial account, giving it a stronger voice in how community funds are spent. However, without enforcement power, its influence may be advisory only—especially if the legislature underfunds baseline services and repurposes new funds.