2026 Washington State Legislative Update

With the 2026 legislative session in Olympia wrapped up, the overall picture for Washington’s developmental disability community is this: no major expansions, but also no significant cuts.

In a year shaped by budget limits, lawmakers focused on maintaining existing services while making smaller policy updates. For families in Spokane and across Eastern Washington, that means some relief along with continued concern about access and capacity moving forward. This was a short, fast session at just 60 days long.

Policy changes with real-world impacts:

Several bills focused on improving oversight and accountability in residential services.

SHB 2350 requires that families and guardians are notified when Residential Habilitation Centers fall out of compliance with federal standards. SHB 2230 works to streamline oversight of community residential providers by reducing duplicate audits and administrative burden.

In schools, ESHB 1795 addresses the use of restraint and isolation. The bill limits the most extreme practices and prohibits building new isolation rooms. Many families see this as a step forward, although some advocates have concerns about the number of amendments and remaining gaps in protection.

Lawmakers also passed SHB 1390, which repeals the Community Protection Program. While the program structure is being removed, services and supports will remain in place. The program had been viewed by many as overly restrictive, affecting housing, employment, and community participation.

Other bills that passed:

A number of additional bills may not make headlines but still matter for daily life:

  • 2SSB 6035 expands voting access, including an accessible voting portal for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

  • 2SSB 5969 allows IEP transition plans to count toward High School and Beyond Plan requirements.

  • SSB 6268 creates an online record of special education complaint decisions, making it easier for families and advocates to access information.

  • SHB 2323 establishes a voluntary Blue Envelope Program to support neurodivergent individuals during interactions with law enforcement.

  • ESSB 5156 updates elevator standards in smaller residential buildings. This has received mixed reactions, as while it may support more housing development, some in the disability community have raised concerns about accessibility and safety.

Bills that did not pass:

Not every proposal made it across the finish line. HB 2415, which would have improved reporting on unexpected deaths in state facilities, did not pass due to cost concerns. ESHB 2319, which would have updated the language used to describe Residential Habilitation Centers, also stalled late in session. Both are expected to return in future sessions.

The Budget Story

The most significant developments this session came through the state budget. Early proposals included potential cuts to developmental disability services, including waivers, early intervention, provider rates, and therapies. Those cuts were ultimately not included in the final budget.

For Spokane and Eastern Washington families, this means:

  • No cuts to DD waivers

  • No reductions in provider rates

  • No cuts to birth-to-three services

  • No cuts to therapies such as OT, PT, and speech

  • No cuts to school-based Medicaid funding

These outcomes helped preserve services that many families rely on every day. That said, there are still concerns. Lawmakers adjusted funding tied to projected “underspending” in disability services, reducing the amount from $33 million to $12 million. Even at the reduced level, this could still lead to slower access to services, especially for individuals waiting for waivers or transitioning out of school.

Looking Ahead

With session over, the focus shifts to what comes next. Here in Spokane and Eastern Washington, conversations between families, advocates, and local leaders are already ongoing. The Arc of Spokane’s Parent Coalition will continue to make sure that families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are heard throughout the year, not just during the session.

Questions? The Arc of Spokane would love to hear from you! Contact our Parent Coalition team at advocacy@arc-spokane.org or by calling 509-789-8797.