Bill > HB2600

This bill mandates that by July 1, 2026, the state department must update the supported living cost report template to align with federal requirements and to help address the shortage of direct support professionals, who are individuals assisting people with developmental disabilities, within the supported living industry. The updated report will require detailed information on staff, including full-time equivalent counts, the number of staff by type, average hourly wages, and comprehensive benefit data such as employer contributions for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off. It will also require disaggregated revenue information. To assist in this process, a supported living work group will be established, comprising representatives from the department, supported living providers (both nonprofit and for-profit), disability advocacy organizations, and unions representing direct support professionals. This work group will develop recommendations for Medicaid rates to improve direct support professional compensation, potentially including penalties for providers who don't comply, and will submit a final report with wage investment proposals to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill defines "direct support professional" and "supported living provider" and specifies that these provisions will expire on September 1, 2028.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2600&Year=2025&Initiative=false