Committee unanimously reports substitute for House Bill 24 68 to align statutes with DSHS restructuring

The Early Learning & Human Services Committee unanimously reported substitute House Bill 24 68 to the next legislative stage after a voice vote.

A staff presenter said HB 2468 updates statutory references to match DSHS's agency restructuring and makes technical changes that are not intended to be substantive. The substitute reinstates two current-law provisions that had been removed in the underlying bill: the scheduled expiration date for the Dementia Action Collaborative and a requirement that DSHS hire two permanent full-time employees to review and maintain the no-paid-services caseload.

Committee members described the substitute as a chance to "streamline and better" align statute language with the agency's structure; Assistant Ranking Member Burnett said the committee "agrees" and urged support. The committee requested an oral/voice vote and the clerk reported 11 ayes and 0 nays. The chair announced the substitute was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Next steps: With the committee's endorsement, HB 2468 will proceed toward floor consideration under the legislature's schedule.