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SB 5286

Modifying the premium provisions of the paid family and medical leave program.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Keiser and 6 co-sponsors

Codifies annual state funding for policing near Eastern and Western State Hospitals through DSHS partnerships with Medical Lake and Lakewood, with budgeting and annual reporting.

Effective date 7/23/2023.
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Bill Summary · SB 5286

Summary: SB 5286 — Policing costs driven by proximity to state hospitals

Status

  • By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
  • Introduced: January 15, 2025
  • Sponsors: Senators Holy, Dhingra, King, Liias, J. Wilson, Salomon, and Valdez

Purpose and Intent

SB 5286 would codify and expand funding for community policing programs associated with Washington state state hospitals. Specifically:
- Create a new community partnership program between the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the City of Medical Lake to support policing near Eastern State Hospital and adjacent areas.
- Recognize and perpetuate an existing program between DSHS and the City of Lakewood to support policing near Western State Hospital and adjacent areas.
- Ensure annual state funding for both cities to support these programs, with funding levels determined in the biennial budget to reflect service levels and costs.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment and Recognition
    • New: A community partnership program between DSHS and Medical Lake for Eastern State Hospital.
    • Existing: The DSHS-Lakewood partnership for Western State Hospital is recognized and continued.
  • Funding
    • State funding to both Medical Lake and Lakewood to support their respective programs, with amounts to be determined in the biennial budget.
    • Total funding must reflect the relative size of each hospital and community needs.
    • Funding for these programs is in addition to any existing appropriations for police services.
  • Data Collection and Reporting
    • DSHS must collect data on fund usage and the number of calls handled by the community partnership programs.
    • An annual report detailing this information must be submitted to the Office of Financial Management and the Legislature’s fiscal committees by December 1 each year.
  • Effective Date
    • The act would take effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which it is passed.

Funding Context (Background)

  • The 2023-25 State Operating Budget already included:
    • Western State Hospital & Lakewood: $311,000 per year for a comprehensive community policing program (staffing, reports, liaison with prosecutors, training, parking enforcement, meetings) plus $45,000 per year for police services at Western and adjacent areas.
    • Eastern State Hospital & Medical Lake: $311,000 per year for policing staff (investigator, officer, community services officer) plus $25,000 per year for police services at Eastern and adjacent areas.
  • SB 5286 would add a framework to provide annual funding to both cities via the biennial budget, with allocations determined by service levels and needs.

Affected Parties

  • Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
  • City of Lakewood (Western State Hospital policing)
  • City of Medical Lake (Eastern State Hospital policing)
  • State residents in the Eastern and Western hospital vicinities
  • State government: Office of Financial Management and legislative fiscal committees (through annual reporting)

Potential Impacts

  • Provides stable, codified funding for policing near state hospitals, improving consistency and planning for Lakewood and Medical Lake.
  • Encourages data-driven budgeting and oversight through annual reporting.
  • Expands formal recognition of policing partnerships currently funded through annual appropriations, potentially reducing the need for ad hoc requests.

Note on Status and Next Steps

  • The bill has passed internal committee stages in both houses and is currently awaiting third reading in the Senate Rules Committee. If enacted, it would take effect 90 days after adjournment.

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

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