Governor signs bill eliminating Community Protection Program; directs DSHS to assess 279 clients

The governor signed House Bill 1390 in Olympia, saying the measure eliminates the Community Protection Program and directs the Department of Social and Health Services to conduct individual assessments of the program’s clients.

"House Bill 1390 eliminates the Community Protection Program," the governor said, adding, "In addition, I'm issuing a written directive to DSHS to individually assess each client to ensure they receive services to meet their unique needs as this program winds down." The governor said DSHS should address each client’s risk level and required level of supervision "with the safety community the priority."

The bill was described in the ceremony as created to transition adults with developmental disabilities who have been charged or convicted of serious criminal offenses into services more appropriate to their needs. The governor said DSHS has other programs that can serve the 279 clients currently in the Community Protection Program and that the office will oversee a careful wind-down with individual assessments.

State Representative Roger Goodman was identified at the event as the bill’s prime sponsor, and the governor recognized State Senator Claire Wilson for her involvement. The signing included brief remarks of thanks to advocates and staff who worked on the legislation and a group photo.

The governor said the office will provide a written directive to DSHS spelling out the assessment requirements and emphasizing safety as a priority. The statement at the event did not include further implementation timelines or details about where current clients will be placed; those operational details were not specified.