The Washington legislature has passed a law eliminating the Community Protection Program, effective December 31, 2026, according to the Department of Social and Health Services' Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The related community protection waiver will continue temporarily after the program ends, with the state requesting federal permission to eliminate it starting in September 2027. People currently in the program will transition to other state services or waivers, with transitions individually planned over the year following September 2027, the agency said.
Before that phase-out, the state is implementing several changes. In January 2027, rules will be updated to allow more types of providers, such as social workers and other professionals, to complete risk assessments for clients. The agency will also update staff training starting early 2027 to emphasize supporting clients in the least restrictive way while protecting their rights.
The state has already updated assessments to include two new questions ensuring that specialized support needs are clearly documented. The Developmental Disabilities Administration is also working with health plans and therapists to ensure clients have access to mental health services, which will shift away from waiver services.
Behavior support plans will also change, moving the approval of restrictions out of individual treatment team meetings to align with agency-wide processes. Client rights can only be restricted if other supports have failed and the client approves, according to the agency.