DDA employment services age

AN ACT Relating to the age at which clients of the developmental 1
disabilities administration may receive employment and community 2
inclusion services; amending RCW 71A.12.290; adding a new section to 3
chapter 71A.12 RCW; and providing an effective date.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 71A.12 6
RCW to read as follows: 7
(1) The department shall provide employment services to clients 8
beginning at age 19. 9
(2) Employment service hours for clients of the department must 10
be determined by the assistance needed to reach employment outcomes 11
as described in rule and may not equal the amount of client time 12
spent working or in employment-related activities.13
(3) The department shall develop rules and take other necessary 14
actions to implement this section. 15
Sec. 2. RCW 71A.12.290 and 2022 c 142 s 2 are each amended to 16
read as follows: 17
(1) Clients age ((21)) 19 and older who are receiving employment 18
services must be offered the choice to transition to a community 19
((access)) inclusion program after nine months of enrollment in an 20
S-1209.1
SENATE BILL 5681
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Cortes, Frame, Hasegawa, MacEwen, Nobles, and Valdez
Read first time 02/06/25. Referred to Committee on Human Services.
p. 1 SB 5681
employment program, and the option to transition from a community 1
((access)) inclusion program to an employment program at any time. 2
Enrollment in an employment program begins at the time the client is 3
authorized to receive employment. 4
(2) Prior approval by the department shall not be required to 5
effectuate the client's choice to transition from an employment 6
program to community ((access)) inclusion services after verifying 7
nine months of participation in employment-related services.8
(3) The department shall inform clients and their legal 9
representatives of all available options for employment and day 10
services, including the opportunity to request an exception from 11
enrollment in an employment program. Information provided to the 12
client and the client's legal representative must include the types 13
of activities each service option provides, and the amount, scope, 14
and duration of service for which the client would be eligible under 15
each service option. 16
(4) The department shall work with counties and stakeholders to 17
strengthen and expand the existing community ((access)) inclusion 18
program, including the consideration of options that allow for 19
alternative service settings outside of the client's residence. The 20
program should emphasize support for the clients so that they are 21
able to participate in activities that integrate them into their 22
community and support independent living and skills.23
(5) The department shall develop rules to allow for an exception 24
to the requirement that a client participate in an employment program 25
for nine months prior to transitioning to a community ((access)) 26
inclusion program. 27
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act takes effect October 1, 2025.28
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p. 2 SB 5681