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SB 5805

Concerning the Yakima Valley School.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Curtis King and 1 co-sponsor

The bill plans to close Yakima Valley School to full residential care as occupancy drops, shifting residents to community options with funded crisis, respite, and regional services

First reading, referred to Ways & Means.
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Bill Summary · SB 5805

Summary of SB 5805 (Concerning the Yakima Valley School)

Purpose and intent

SB 5805 proposes changes related to the Yakima Valley School (YVS), a state residential habilitation center (RHC) for people with developmental disabilities. The bill preserves YVS as a recognized residential facility while setting conditions for closure to full residential care and directing a transition to community-based alternatives. It also directs the state to establish and fund supporting services (crisis stabilization, respite, and regional specialty services) to serve former residents and others in the community, with an emphasis on available funding.

Key provisions

  • Sec. 1 (amends RCW 71A.20.020):

    • Restates that several residential habilitation centers, including Yakima Valley School, are permanently established to provide services.
    • Creates a condition under which YVS shall cease to operate as an RHC when specified conditions in RCW 71A.20.180(2)(b) are met.

  • Sec. 2 (amends RCW 71A.20.180):

    • Yakima Valley School shall operate as an RHC until the census of permanent residents reaches eight persons; once the facility closes to full residential care, it may operate crisis stabilization beds and a limited number of respite beds as needs and funding allow.
    • As of 2017, no new long-term admissions are permitted (existing policy referenced).
    • Department responsibilities (within available funds):
    • Establish state-operated living alternatives (SOLAs) to provide community residential services for former RHC residents transitioning to the community, with opportunities for RHC staff to transfer to these alternatives.
    • Use existing supported living program capacity for former residents who choose it.
    • Establish up to eight state-staffed crisis stabilization beds and up to eight state-staffed respite beds, funded by the omnibus appropriations act and targeted to areas of greatest need.
    • Create regional or mobile specialty services (e.g., dental care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, specialized nursing) available to former RHC residents and other community residents with developmental disabilities, subject to funding.
    • Continue providing respite services in RHCs and develop respite care in the community.

Who is affected

  • Residents and potential residents of Yakima Valley School, with a pathway toward transitioning to community-based living alternatives.
  • Yakima Valley School employees, who may be offered opportunities to work in state-operated living alternatives or other transitioning roles.
  • Individuals with developmental disabilities in the Yakima Valley catchment area and broader state who may access crisis stabilization, respite, and regional specialty services.
  • Families and guardians of residents, given changes in residence options and support services.

Timeline and procedural context

  • Introduced and first read on March 31, 2025; referred to Ways & Means.
  • The bill contemplates closure of YVS to full residential care when the specified occupancy/conditions are met, and a phased shift toward community services, funded through the omnibus appropriations act.

Potential implications

  • A structured transition from institutional care to community-based supports for former YVS residents.
  • Increased need for funding to establish and operate crisis stabilization beds, respite beds, and regional specialty services.
  • Continued emphasis on preserving staff expertise by offering transitions to state-operated living alternatives.

Note: The bill’s text references existing policy and funding mechanisms (omnibus act, RCWs 71A.20.020 and 71A.20.180) and specifies “within available funds” for several new services.

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

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