The legislature finds that the residential services and supports program administered by the department of social and health services under RCW 71A.12.040 and chapter 388-101 WAC has experienced significant growth and that additional funds are needed to enable the department to aggressively investigate and resolve complaints of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation of the vulnerable populations served by the program. The legislature intends to address current funding levels that limit the department of social and health services’ ability to promote vulnerable adult protections in the program. The legislature further intends that the cost of complaint investigation should be supported by an appropriate certification fee paid by the regulated businesses.

Effective date—2019 c 458: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2019.” [ 2019 c 458 § 6.]

Requirement to cease collection of certification fee for compliant investigations—No federal matching funds—2019 c 458: See note following RCW 71A.12.340.