Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Family members, staff and self-advocates clash over bill to close Rainier School
Summary
A lengthy public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 5393 produced sharply divided testimony: family members and long‑time Rainier staff warned closure risks deaths and loss of specialized care, while disability advocates and community providers said community-based supports can serve many residents safely with proper planning.
Chair Ormsby opened a public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 53 93, which directs the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to close Rainier School in Buckley by June 30, 2027 and bar new admissions. O'Mear Harrington, staff to the committee, said Rainier serves as an intermediate care facility with 58 long‑term and 13 short‑term residents and that the bill requires DSHS to offer state‑operated living alternatives (SOLAs), supported living, adult family homes or space at other RHCs per resident preference.
The committee’s fiscal staff, Brian Way, told members the DSHS fiscal note assumes 50% of Rainier residents would move to other RHCs, 25% to supported living and 25% to SOLAs and projected a net savings of about $18.1 million over four years after accounting for operating and revenue changes. Way…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
