Bill > HB1158

This bill improves community inclusion services for individuals with developmental disabilities by establishing new standards and requirements for service delivery. The bill defines "community inclusion services" as individualized, integrated community-based services that promote skill development, independent living, and community engagement for participants with developmental disabilities. The legislation requires the department to directly contract with service providers for these services and sets specific guidelines, such as allowing flexible provider-client ratios that encourage peer group interaction, permitting limited billing for transportation and administrative tasks, and ensuring that assessed service hours cannot be reduced even when services are integrated into aggregate services. The bill also amends several existing laws to clarify terminology, update definitions, and provide more flexibility for clients transitioning between employment and community inclusion programs. Additionally, the bill exempts long-term care workers providing only community inclusion services from certain certification requirements, which could help expand the pool of potential service providers and make these services more accessible to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1158&Year=2025&Initiative=false