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Bill

SB 5211

Authorizing payment for parental caregivers of minor children with developmental disabilities.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 17 co-sponsors

SB 5211 authorizes Washington to pay parents who are primary caregivers for minor children with developmental disabilities, supporting families while potentially reducing state institutional care costs.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
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Bill Summary · SB 5211

Legislative bill overview

SB 5211 authorizes Washington State to provide direct financial compensation to parents and guardians who serve as primary caregivers for minor children with developmental disabilities. The bill aims to recognize and support unpaid caregiving work that would otherwise require paid professional services, reducing burden on families while potentially decreasing state costs for institutional care.

Why is this important

Families with developmentally disabled children often face significant financial strain due to caregiving demands that prevent parents from working full-time. This legislation could provide critical income support to qualifying families while potentially reducing reliance on more expensive state-funded services, though it requires substantial budget allocation to implement.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and funding source: The bill creates a new entitlement program requiring ongoing state funding at a time of competing budget priorities; the Ways & Means Committee delays suggest cost concerns
  • Program eligibility and definition: Determining which disabilities qualify, income thresholds, and payment levels could create disputes about fairness and adequacy of support
  • Implementation burden: State agencies would need to develop eligibility verification systems, payment structures, and oversight mechanisms to prevent fraud while maintaining program accessibility

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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