SSB 5394
SignedSenate
DDA no-paid services
Reducing the developmental disabilities administration's no-paid services caseload services.
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 requires the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to hire two full-time staff to manage and update the list of people on the no-paid services caseload, and to track how many are interested in receiving paid services. It also continues an existing requirement to report this information annually to state leaders.
- Hire two permanent, full-time employees to manage the no-paid services caseload.
- Review the caseload to ensure it reflects the current number of eligible individuals.
- Identify how many people on the list are interested in receiving paid services now or within the next year.
- Update the caseload regularly to keep it accurate and current.
- Submit an annual report to the governor and legislature starting in 2022 (though the bill was passed in 2025, the reporting requirement was already in law).
Who is affected
- Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) clients on the no-paid services caseload — Individuals on the no-paid services caseload will continue to receive case management support, including outreach and information about available services, but the bill focuses on improving how the state tracks who is on the list and whether they want paid services now or soon.
- Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) staff and leadership — The DDA will hire two new full-time staff to manage and update the no-paid services list, and will be required to report annually to the governor and legislature on the status of that list.
- State government leadership (governor and legislature) — The governor and state legislature will receive annual reports on the size and status of the no-paid services list, helping inform future budget and policy decisions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill mandates outreach to individuals on the no-paid services list to determine their interest in *immediate* paid services, which could reduce delays in accessing critical supports — especially for those who are currently under-served or unaware of eligibility or available services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)Regular caseload reviews and updates help ensure that individuals who no longer meet eligibility criteria are removed, and those newly eligible are added — reducing the risk of individuals falling through cracks and experiencing avoidable crises.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)Improved data on interest in paid services may help service providers anticipate demand and plan workforce recruitment — especially for direct support professionals — though the bill does not fund wage increases or recruitment incentives.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)Local governments (e.g., counties) that serve as co-managers of DDA services or provide emergency behavioral health responses may benefit from more accurate caseload data, reducing unexpected demand spikes and improving resource coordination.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)The bill’s annual reporting requirement may help the legislature better target future budget allocations to reduce waitlists and service gaps — though the bill itself does not increase funding, it improves transparency to support more informed fiscal decisions.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill improves tracking of individuals on the no-paid services caseload who may be at risk of unmet support needs, enabling earlier intervention and preventing crises that could lead to emergency mental health or behavioral health episodes requiring law enforcement or hospitalization.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)By identifying individuals on the no-paid services list who express interest in receiving paid services *now or within the next year*, the bill supports earlier access to critical developmental disability services (e.g., behavioral support, respite, community integration), potentially reducing reliance on crisis services, emergency rooms, and inpatient psychiatric care — all of which are more costly and disruptive to individuals’ health and stability.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)Regular caseload updates and outreach may help identify individuals who are isolated, noncompliant with treatment, or at risk of self-harm or harm to others, allowing case managers to connect them with voluntary supports before escalation occurs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)Improved data on interest in paid services may help schools and transition programs better coordinate with DDA to support youth with developmental disabilities in post-secondary education, vocational training, or supported employment pathways — especially for those aging out of K–12 services.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)By identifying individuals interested in paid services, the state may better align housing-first or supported housing programs with service needs — though the bill itself does not fund housing, it improves data to support such coordination.
HousingLean peopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 71A.10.100(1)
Who Is Most Affected
Individuals on the no-paid services caseload — many of whom are low-income, disabled adults — are the direct beneficiaries of improved outreach and service-matching. The bill does not guarantee services, but improves the state’s ability to identify who wants them *now*, potentially shortening wait times and reducing isolation.
DDA staff gain dedicated capacity to manage caseload data and conduct proactive outreach, reducing administrative burden and enabling more strategic service planning. However, without additional funding for service delivery, staff may still face high caseloads and unmet demand.
State leaders gain better data to assess unmet need and prioritize budget decisions — but the bill does not require new funding, so policymakers may use this data to justify *not* expanding services rather than to expand them.
Families and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities may benefit from improved service coordination and reduced crisis risk, but the bill does not directly address caregiver support, respite, or financial strain.
Service providers (e.g., group homes, day programs, DSPs) may benefit from more accurate demand signals, but the bill does not increase reimbursement rates or create new contracts — so impact is limited to planning, not expansion.