This bill aims to preserve historical records and artifacts related to the treatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington state, particularly those discovered at Lakeland Village, a facility established in 1916. The legislation mandates the Washington state archives and the Department of Social and Health Services to collaborate with the University of Washington's Institute on Human Development and Disability to create a comprehensive preservation plan. This plan will detail the cataloging and preservation of various historical items, including medical records, letters, and artifacts, while ensuring compliance with federal and state privacy laws. The bill emphasizes the importance of understanding past treatment to inform future policies and improve service delivery for affected individuals.

The preservation plan must identify at-risk records, assess their condition, outline preservation steps, and include a timeline and budget for the work, with a report due to the legislature by September 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill stipulates that no records can be destroyed until the preservation plan is completed and funded during the fiscal year 2026. It also includes a provision that if specific funding for the act is not provided by June 30, 2024, the act will become null and void, and it establishes an expiration date of June 30, 2026.