SHB 2468
In CommitteeHouse
DSHS terminology
Correcting terminology to align the revised code of Washington with recent reorganization at the department of social and health services.
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 updates Washington State law to align terminology and responsibilities across multiple statutes with the Department of Social and Health Services’ recent reorganization—specifically replacing outdated agency names like 'developmental disabilities administration' and 'aging and long-term support administration' with 'home and community living administration.' It also improves coordination for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or traumatic brain injuries who interact with the criminal justice system, kinship caregivers, and adult family home residents.
- Updates agency and program names across multiple statutes to reflect the Department of Social and Health Services’ reorganization—replacing 'developmental disabilities administration' and 'aging and long-term support administration' with 'home and community living administration' and clarifying component responsibilities.
- Strengthens coordination between DSHS and other agencies for individuals found not competent to stand trial due to intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or traumatic brain injury—requiring connection to wraparound services and community supports instead of competency restoration.
- Expands the role of the kinship care legal aid coordinator to better support kinship caregivers through training, legal aid initiatives, and reporting to state agencies and legislative committees.
- Clarifies data sharing between DSHS and the Office of Public Defense for post-commitment public defense services for individuals acquitted by reason of insanity, including access to personal identifying and case information.
- Requires DSHS to develop processes for transitioning individuals from jail to community-based services without requiring acceptance of diversion services as a condition for dismissal of criminal charges.
Who is affected
- Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or traumatic brain injuries — Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, dementia, or traumatic brain injuries who are involved in the criminal justice system—this includes those found not competent to stand trial and those needing community-based wraparound services after evaluation.
- Families and caregivers — Families and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities or dementia, especially those navigating kinship care legal aid, permanency planning, or behavioral health services.
- State and local agencies — State and local agencies—including DSHS, DHCA, DCYF, and public defense offices—that must realign responsibilities, share data, and coordinate services under updated terminology and structures.
- Legal and advocacy professionals — Attorneys, legal aid providers, and forensic navigators who support kinship caregivers or individuals with disabilities in legal and service planning processes.
- Adult family home residents and providers — Adult family home residents and providers, especially those needing specialized services for developmental disabilities or dementia.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill mandates that individuals found not competent to stand trial due to intellectual/developmental disabilities, dementia, or TBI be connected to wraparound services and community-based supports *without requiring acceptance of diversion services as a condition for dismissal of criminal charges*. This reduces coercion, supports autonomy, and aligns with evidence that forced diversion undermines long-term stability and increases recidivism risk.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(2); Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(3)The bill expands the role of the kinship care legal aid coordinator to better support kinship caregivers through training, legal aid initiatives, and reporting — including coordination with DSHS and the Office of Public Defense. Kinship caregivers (often grandparents or relatives raising grandchildren) are disproportionately low-income and face housing instability; improved legal support helps them secure and retain stable housing and custody arrangements.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 2.53.055(2)(a)(iv); Sec. 1, RCW 2.53.055(3)(a)The bill transfers post-commitment public defense services for individuals acquitted by reason of insanity from DSHS to the Office of Public Defense and mandates timely access to personal identifying and case information — including without requiring consent — to ensure continuity of care and legal representation. This improves coordination and reduces delays that can lead to inappropriate institutionalization or loss of services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 2.70.901(2)(a); Sec. 2, RCW 2.70.901(2)(b)The bill requires DSHS to connect individuals found not competent to stand trial to Trueblood-class-member programs (e.g., diversion, supportive housing, case management) *without requiring acceptance of diversion services as a condition for dismissal of criminal charges*. This directly benefits Trueblood class members — individuals with developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system — by reducing coercion and increasing access to housing and support services that improve long-term outcomes.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(2)(a)(iii); Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(2)(b)(iii)The bill directs the Home and Community Living Administration to design and implement enhanced services for individuals with developmental disabilities and dementia living in adult family homes — including specific provisions for assessment, environment, training, and safety — to improve quality of life, increase length of stay, and reduce institutionalization. This directly benefits vulnerable residents who rely on adult family homes as their primary residence.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 14, RCW 70.128.300; Sec. 14, RCW 70.128.300(2)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill removes the requirement that individuals found not competent to stand trial due to intellectual/developmental disabilities, dementia, or TBI must accept diversion services before having their criminal charges dismissed without prejudice. This could reduce coercion but may also reduce incentives for engagement with services, potentially increasing recidivism risk if services are not voluntarily accepted.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 3, RCW 10.77.400(6); Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(1)The bill creates a new program for individuals found incompetent to stand trial who do not meet criteria under other programs, but explicitly states it is “subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose.” Without guaranteed funding, this program may remain underdeveloped, leaving a gap in services for a high-need, high-risk population.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(2)(b)(ii); Sec. 4, RCW 10.77.675(4)The bill creates multiple advisory committees and working groups (e.g., dementia action collaborative, advisory committee on permanent supportive housing) with membership requirements that include stakeholders from industry associations and advocacy groups. While this improves stakeholder input, it may also increase bureaucratic complexity and delay implementation of recommendations without adding new operational capacity.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 7, RCW 43.20A.885 (dementia action collaborative); Sec. 10, RCW 43.330.425 (advisory committee on permanent supportive housing)The bill expands the duties of the kinship care legal aid coordinator to produce biennial reports to multiple state agencies and legislative committees, increasing administrative burden on local legal aid providers and state offices without specifying new funding or staffing.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1, RCW 2.53.055(3)(b); Sec. 1, RCW 2.53.055(3)(a)The bill expires the children and youth multisystem care project director position and rapid care team on June 30, 2027, creating uncertainty for long-term planning and potentially disrupting continuity of care for children in crisis who rely on this coordination.
HealthcareRef: Sec. 6, RCW 43.20A.885(7)(a)(iii); Sec. 6, RCW 43.20A.885(7)(b)
Who Is Most Affected
Individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, dementia, or TBI involved in the criminal justice system — especially those found not competent to stand trial — benefit significantly. The bill removes coercive conditions for dismissal of charges, mandates connection to wraparound services, and improves access to Trueblood-class programs. This reduces unnecessary incarceration and improves long-term stability.
Families and kinship caregivers benefit from expanded legal aid coordination, improved permanency planning support, and clearer pathways to access services for children with disabilities. However, the lack of guaranteed funding for new programs introduces uncertainty about the scale and sustainability of these benefits.
State and local agencies gain clearer authority and responsibilities for interagency coordination, data sharing, and service transitions. However, the bill adds administrative reporting requirements (e.g., biennial kinship care reports, rapid care team annual reports) without specifying new funding, potentially straining existing resources.
Legal and advocacy professionals benefit from expanded authority for the kinship care legal aid coordinator and clearer data-sharing protocols for post-commitment public defense. However, the lack of guaranteed funding for new programs means many of these improvements may remain aspirational.
Adult family home residents and providers benefit from mandates to design enhanced services for individuals with developmental disabilities and dementia — including improved training, safety protocols, and environmental standards. However, implementation depends on future appropriations, and providers may face new compliance burdens without additional reimbursement.