Improving community inclusion services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

SB 5428 updates Washington State law to improve community inclusion services for individuals with developmental disabilities (including autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities). It requires the Department of Social and Health Services to contract directly with service providers for home and community-based waiver programs, rather than through intermediaries. Key provisions include banning strict one-to-one provider ratios (allowing peer group interaction), limiting billing for administrative tasks to 15 minutes weekly per client, and ensuring assessed service hours cannot be reduced if services are integrated with other funded supports. The bill also clarifies that community inclusion services must occur in typical community settings, be individualized, and promote skill development and community engagement.