Washington lawmakers approve plan to shut down Rainier school in new budget decision
Apr 29, 2025, 11:00 AM
Olympia, Washington. (Photo: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)
(Photo: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest)
Before the end of the legislative session, Washington lawmakers passed a bill to shut down Rainier School, a habilitation facility for Washingtonians living with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities.
An amended version of Senate Bill 5393 passed on Sunday. It spared Yakima Valley School, which was also set to close. Under the amended bill, Rainier School will close when there are no longer any long-term residents. It is subject to end admissions for long-term admissions in July and short-term admissions in June, 2027.
“Bringing this forward was a difficult decision for me and all the committee members,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Tim Ormsby, a Democrat, “We don’t do it lightly.”
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Many House Republicans opposed this bill, walking out of the Appropriations Committee after it was passed last Tuesday. But they were behind the amended version, which they saw as a way to help residents transition.
In a conversation with The Center Square, Rep. Dan Griffey said that although he is not happy with the bill, “It’s better, as we’re not going to shut it down right away.”
Nine Senate Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill. Six Democrats joined Republicans in opposition.
What was the debate about?
The bill’s proponents included representatives from the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights Washington, and Washington Autism Alliance.
Some proponents argued that these kinds of facilities are antiquated and that it could be seen as “locking” up loved ones. It is also seen as a cost-saving measure for the state.
Critics of the bill said that the state is erring if they view this as a true cost saving, arguing the savings would be negligible. They also noted that for many, Rainier School is seen as a home.
“I’ve lived personally and professionally in this space, legislatively as well. People will die as a result of this bill. It’s not just a fact, it’s also a prediction,” State Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn) said before the vote.
According to The News Tribune, Megan DeSmet, the Developmental Administration director of facilities at The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DHS) shared that there are at least 81 residents at the Rainier School, with it costing $52 million to run each year.
