House Bill 1472 would have permanently closed Rainier School and Yakima Valley School—two of the state’s last remaining Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs)—by June 30, 2027. It would also have stopped all new long-term admissions to these facilities immediately, limiting them to short-term respite or crisis stabilization only. Because Senate Bill 5393 is moving forward and House Bill 1472 is not, it does not appear House Bill 1472 will be considered further during the 2025 legislative session.

The bill directed the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to transition residents to other settings, such as State-Operated Living Alternatives (SOLAs) or supported living homes. However, that directive comes “within available funds,” meaning the availability of services depends on future budget choices, not guaranteed investments. The legislation contains no detailed plan outlining how residents—many with complex and high-acuity needs—will be safely supported.

Amendment: A real transition plan for residents and staff

While the bill was moving through committees in the House, Rep. Joshua Penner introduced an amendment to HB 1472 that would have replaced the bill’s fixed closure date with a conditions-based plan focused on safety, readiness, and transparency. The amendment required:

• Certified safe placements for all residents before closure
• Individualized transition plans developed with families and care teams
• A full system-wide capacity and workforce analysis
• A staff transition and retention strategy to preserve continuity of care
• A six-month “right to return” if community placements fail
• Quarterly reporting on transition progress, outcomes, and deaths
• Independent reviews of quality of life and family satisfaction post-transition

Why it matters: Without this amendment, HB 1472 would have moved forward without any enforceable safeguards to ensure residents are safely and appropriately placed. The amendment provided a realistic, compassionate roadmap to protect some of Washington’s most vulnerable individuals.

Amendment 937 to the State Operating Budget (Senate Bill 5167)

In an effort to protect essential services for Washington’s most vulnerable residents, Rep. Joshua Penner supported Amendment 937 to the 2025–27 operating budget (Senate Bill 5167). The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Travis Couture R-Allyn, aimed to maintain full funding for Rainier School and Yakima Valley School—two of the last remaining Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) in the state.

The amendment would have:

• Removed language and funding that assumed the closure of Rainier and Yakima Valley Schools.
• Provided full funding to operate both facilities at their current capacity through the 2025–27 biennium.
• Protected 12 crisis and respite beds and ensured uninterrupted services for residents.
• Funded staffing, care, facility maintenance, and critical support services for individuals with profound developmental and behavioral disabilities.

The department shall provide uninterrupted service delivery to residents and families who rely on the specialized care provided at these facilities. —Amendment 937

Unfortunately, Amendment 937 was rejected by the House on March 31, 2025. Without this amendment, the current budget moves forward with plans—and funding allocations—that support the closure of both facilities, despite widespread concerns over the lack of a clear, safe transition plan for current residents.