SB 6163
In CommitteeSenate
DD services waiver/budget
Eliminating wait lists for the individual and family services waiver by including estimated expenditures for the waiver in maintenance level budgets.
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 ensures that funding for the Individual and Family Services (IFS) Waiver and other developmental disabilities services is included in the state’s regular budget planning to help eliminate waitlists. It requires the state to plan for and request funding for these programs each year, starting in December 2022 for most services and December 2026 specifically for the IFS Waiver.
- Requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to include estimated costs for the Individual and Family Services (IFS) Waiver and Basic Plus Waiver in the state’s maintenance-level budget starting with the December 2022 governor’s budget proposal.
- Requires DSHS to submit annual budget requests for these waiver programs and for services for individuals in state-operated living alternatives.
- Requires the IFS Waiver costs to be included in maintenance-level budgets beginning with the December 2026 governor’s budget proposal — meaning funding must be planned and included each year going forward.
- Funding for these programs must come from existing appropriations unless new money is specifically allocated by the legislature.
Who is affected
- Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families — People with developmental disabilities who need support services (like in-home care, respite, or community-based support) and are currently on a waitlist for the Individual and Family Services (IFS) Waiver, as the bill aims to eliminate that waitlist through dedicated funding.
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) — The state agency responsible for managing developmental disabilities services and budgets, which must now include specific funding requests for waiver programs and state-operated living alternatives in its annual budget requests.
- State lawmakers and the governor — State legislators and the governor, who must consider and appropriate funds specifically for these waiver programs as part of the state budget process.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (5)
Increases administrative burden on DSHS to produce detailed, annual budget requests for waiver programs—though this improves transparency and accountability, it diverts staff time and resources from direct service coordination.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(1), (3)The bill does not specify new revenue sources and relies on “existing appropriations” unless new money is allocated—meaning funding success depends on overall state budget health and political will, risking underfunding during economic downturns.
FinancialRef: Sec. 1(1), (3)Delaying IFS Waiver inclusion in maintenance-level budgets until December 2026 means current waitlist participants will continue waiting for up to four more years—delaying relief for those most in need.
FinancialRef: Sec. 1(3)If the legislature fails to appropriate sufficient funds despite the mandate, the bill could create false expectations and deepen frustration among families and providers, potentially increasing stress-related emergencies.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(1), (3)Mandating annual budget requests for state-operated living alternatives may incentivize cost containment over service quality or innovation, especially if funding is capped or stagnant.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(2)
Potential Concerns (5)
Guarantees ongoing, dedicated state funding for IFS and Basic Plus Waivers—critical home- and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities—reducing or eliminating waitlists and improving access to essential supports like respite care, in-home assistance, and community integration.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(1), (3)Requires DSHS to include annual budget requests for state-operated living alternatives, which supports continuity of care for individuals in institutional or residential settings and prevents service disruptions due to funding uncertainty.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)By ensuring stable funding for waiver services, the bill reduces the risk of crisis-level situations (e.g., homelessness, institutionalization, or behavioral health emergencies) that can arise when individuals lack timely access to support services.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1), (3)May create modest job growth in the home- and community-based service sector (e.g., direct support professionals), though wage levels and job quality depend on how funding is implemented and whether it includes wage increases.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(1)By reducing waitlists for IFS Waiver services, the bill helps prevent unnecessary institutional placement and supports individuals in stable, community-based housing settings—though it does not directly fund housing itself.
HousingLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Individuals on the IFS Waiver waitlist (estimated ~1,200 as of 2023) stand to gain timely access to home- and community-based services, reducing institutionalization risk and improving quality of life. Impact is strongly positive if funding is fully appropriated.
DSHS gains statutory authority to request dedicated funding, improving budget predictability—but also faces increased administrative demands and political risk if requests are denied or underfunded.
State lawmakers gain a clearer framework for budgeting developmental disabilities services, but face difficult choices if funding requests exceed revenue capacity—especially if the economy slows before 2026.
Service providers (e.g., community agencies, residential facilities) benefit from more stable funding, enabling workforce retention and service expansion—but may face pressure if reimbursement rates don’t keep pace with inflation.
Taxpayers and general fund users bear the cost of expanded services, but gain long-term savings from reduced institutionalization, ER visits, and incarceration—though this benefit is indirect and delayed.