This bill amends existing law (RCW 71A.20.020 and 71A.20.180) to permanently establish four residential habilitation centers: Lakeland Village, Rainier School, Yakima Valley School, and Fircrest School, and to specify that Yakima Valley School shall operate as a residential habilitation center. It is a statutory modification creating permanent facility designations and imposing program and operational duties, not a criminal or penalty change. The bill directs the (unnamed) department, within available funds and when funds are provided in the omnibus appropriations act, to establish state-operated living alternatives for residents transitioning from residential habilitation centers and to offer RHC employees opportunities to work in those alternatives; to use existing supported living program capacity for former RHC residents who prefer that option; to establish up to eight state-staffed crisis stabilization beds and up to eight state-staffed respite beds based on appropriation and geographic need; to allow Yakima Valley School to operate crisis stabilization and respite beds as needed subject to appropriations and department-identified catchment area needs; and to establish regional or mobile specialty services statewide and continue developing respite services in RHCs and the community. All listed actions are conditioned on available appropriations and geographic need. The text does not identify which state department is responsible, does not specify appropriation amounts or timing, does not define “department-identified catchment area,” does not provide a detailed definition of state-operated living alternatives, and does not state an effective date. The bill is Senate Bill 5805 (S-2548.1), 69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session, sponsored by Senators Torres and King.

If enacted, the bill keeps four named residential habilitation centers operating as long-term options and directs the state to support transitions to community living when money is provided. Practically, residents and former residents could see new state-run community living options, more respite and short-term crisis beds (the state may add up to eight crisis beds and eight respite beds), and more regional or mobile specialty services like dental and therapy spread across the state; RHC staff would be offered chances to move into those community roles instead of or in addition to their current jobs. These changes would mainly affect RHC residents and their families, RHC employees, the state agency that runs these services, and community supported-living programs. Services and any new beds or community alternatives depend on future appropriations, so actual costs, timing, and how many people are served remain uncertain; the bill does not say which department will implement the plans, the dollar amounts, or detailed definitions of the community alternatives or catchment areas.