Appropriations Committee advances bill to close Rainier and Yakima Valley residential habilitation centers after contentious debate

The Washington House Appropriations Committee reported substitute House Bill 14-72 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after a 17-14 vote, sending the proposal to the full House amid extended debate over whether the state is ready to close two residential habilitation centers.

The bill would require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to close Rainier School and Yakima Valley School after residents are transitioned to community settings and the agency certifies to the Legislature and governor that all residents have been safely placed. The Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment requiring individualized transition plans, coordination with other agencies, post-transition outcome monitoring and an independent annual outcome analysis.

Why it matters: The bill affects residents of the two RHCs, their families, and state employees who provide specialized care. Supporters say properly executed transitions can expand community-based services; critics say the state lacks sufficient community capacity and that premature closures risk harm to medically complex residents.

Discussion and key points

DSHS staff briefed the committee on likely implementation needs, saying the amendment’s requirements would “need 2.5 case managers, 4 HR staff, 1 project manager and $250,000 in contract support for at least 2 years,” and estimating an ongoing independent outcome contract of about $250,000 per year beginning in fiscal 2027. The staff emphasized those are unofficial estimates prepared on short notice.

Representative Bergquist, sponsor of the amendment the committee adopted, described it as procedural and protective: “This amendment focuses on making sure there are individualized transition plans, make sure there's coordination with…