In a recent meeting of the Senate Human Services Committee on March 17, 2025, lawmakers discussed two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving support for vulnerable populations in Washington State. The discussions highlighted the importance of prioritizing access to essential services for individuals with developmental disabilities and enhancing the reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect within higher education institutions.

The first bill, House Bill 1130, sponsored by Representative Farver, aims to establish a statutory priority list for waiver services provided by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). This legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming support (90 to 7), seeks to ensure that individuals who are 45 and older, those recently discharged from hospitals without safe discharge plans, and individuals at risk of institutionalization receive timely access to home and community-based services. The bill also emphasizes the need for DDA to collect and publish data regarding these waivers, enhancing transparency and accountability in service delivery. A fiscal note indicates a one-time cost of $158,000 in fiscal year 2026 for implementing these changes.

The second piece of legislation, House Bill 1171, sponsored by Representative Pollet, addresses mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect specifically for employees of institutions of higher learning. This bill, which passed unanimously in the House (95 to 0), introduces an exception to the reporting requirements for attorneys employed by these institutions. Under this legislation, attorneys are not required to report suspected abuse or neglect if it pertains to information obtained during client representation, thereby balancing the need for confidentiality with the obligation to protect children. The fiscal impact of this bill is estimated at a one-time cost of $17,005 in fiscal year 2026.

Both bills reflect a commitment to enhancing the welfare of vulnerable populations in Washington State. As the committee continues to deliberate on these important issues, the outcomes of these discussions will likely have lasting implications for service delivery and child protection in the region. The next steps will involve further testimonies and discussions as lawmakers work towards finalizing these legislative measures.