(1)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, as of July 27, 2025, no new long-term admissions are permitted at the Rainier school, located at Buckley, Pierce county.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, as of June 30, 2027, no admissions of any kind are permitted at the Rainier school, located at Buckley, Pierce county.
(2) Until the conditions in subsection (5) of this section are met, a former long-term resident of the Rainier school who moves to a community-based setting after July 27, 2025, shall be offered the right to return to the Rainier school once during the first year following their move to the community and this shall not be considered a new admission for purposes of subsection (1) of this section. If a former resident of the Rainier school exercises the right to return established in this subsection (2), any additional request to return to the Rainier school after a second move to the community shall be reviewed by the department and must be approved by the secretary, based on the recommendation from a multidisciplinary care team. In addition to the right to return established in this subsection (2), any former resident of the Rainier school maintains the right to return to a residential habilitation center established in RCW
71A.18.040 and the right to residential habilitation center services when determined eligible.
(3)(a) The department shall:
(i) Provide state-operated living alternatives to residential habilitation center residents transitioning to the community from the Rainier school who prefer a state-operated community residential service;
(ii) Use supported living program and adult family home capacity in the community for residents of the Rainier school who prefer and choose these settings;
(iii) Provide space at other residential habilitation centers to residents of the Rainier school who prefer a different residential habilitation center setting; and
(iv) Offer employees of the Rainier school opportunities to work in state-operated living alternatives and other state facilities and programs.
(b) Sufficient funding shall be appropriated to the department to fulfill the requirements of this subsection (3).
(4) When assisting individuals who are transitioning out of the Rainier school the department shall:
(a) Offer each individual resident a meaningful choice of appropriate alternative placements;
(b) Prioritize client choice, autonomy, individual preferences, medical and behavioral health care needs, and opportunities for community integration;
(c) Develop individualized transition plans in collaboration with each resident and their family or legal guardian, caregivers, and support providers;
(d) Coordinate closely with other state agencies, local entities, health care providers, and community stakeholders to ensure seamless transitions;
(e) Provide or contract for all necessary assessments, planning, relocation expenses, housing modifications, staff training, crisis support, and related transition activities; and
(f) Implement robust oversight and accountability measures related to the transitions, and regularly monitor transition outcomes, as well as individual well-being and satisfaction.
(5) The Rainier school, located at Buckley, Pierce county shall continue to operate as a residential habilitation center until such time that the census of long-term residents has reached zero persons.
(6) "Closure" for purposes of chapter 410, Laws of 2025 means prohibiting new admissions as described in subsection (1) of this section.
