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Panel hears cleanup bill to align RCW with DSHS reorganization
Summary
Representative Deborah Lekanoff sponsored HB 2468 to replace obsolete agency names in the Revised Code of Washington following a DSHS reorganization; DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez and staff supported the technical corrections and said they are tracking a few additional edits. The hearing closed with staff noting policy clarifications on the Dementia Action Collaborative and advisory‑committee membership.
Representative Deborah Lekanoff introduced House Bill 24 68 on behalf of the Department of Social and Health Services to update statutory terminology after DSHS’s recent ‘‘Reimagine’’ restructuring.
The bill replaces references to administrations that were dissolved during the reorganization with references to DSHS generally or to successor administrations. ‘‘This is a small cleanup bill,’’ Lekanoff said, describing the measure as agency‑request legislation that substitutes the new administration names — the Home and Community Living Administration and the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration — for the former titles.
Angela Ramirez, secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, testified in support. Ramirez said the changes ‘‘are necessary to ensure that RCW are clearly aligned with the new DSHS structure for clarity for the department, the legislature, and of course Washingtonians at large.’’ She added that the department is tracking several specific statutory references and is willing to work with the committee on technical amendments.
Bea Rector, assistant secretary for the Home and Community Living Administration, told members staff had identified a few places in statute where the Developmental Disabilities Administration was not fully stricken and would be amended. Committee staff also described other bill provisions: removal of the current 2028 expiration date for the Dementia Action Collaborative, modification of DSHS membership on the advisory committee for permanent supportive housing, and removal of a requirement that DSHS hire two permanent full‑time employees to maintain a particular caseload while keeping the caseload requirement itself.
Members asked whether the committee should expect technical amendments; Lekanoff and agency witnesses said they would work together. No formal action was taken during the public hearing and the chair closed consideration of HB 24 68.
The hearing record shows the committee and agency staff are collaborating on language fixes; members and staff indicated they expect further drafting before any committee vote.
