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Senate repeals Community Protection Program after heated debate over safety and civil rights
Summary
The Senate on March 4 voted to repeal the Community Protection Program, directing the Department of Social and Health Services to transition participants to newer DDA waiver services. The measure spurred a prolonged floor fight over public safety safeguards, buffer zones and whether the program had been coercive.
The Washington State Senate voted to repeal the Community Protection Program (CPP) on March 4, passing Substitute House Bill 1390 as amended by the Senate by a roll-call majority of 29 yeas to 20 nays.
Senator Claire Wilson, who led the floor motion to advance the measure, said the CPP is an “antiquated and overly intrusive program” that has kept many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled for long periods with severe restrictions on daily life. “This bill repeals the CPP program, and it directs the Department of Social and Health Services to transition all participants into different DD services that are now available,” Wilson said, telling colleagues the available waiver services are more humane and better tailored to individual needs.
Opponents, including Senator Christian and others, argued the repeal risked public safety and urged additional safeguards. In floor…
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