This bill aims to enhance access to respite care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers in Washington State. It recognizes the critical role of respite care in providing necessary breaks for caregivers and the individuals they support. To address the growing need for respite services, the bill mandates that the Department of Social and Health Services include respite care in the aggregate portion of the basic plus and children's intensive in-home behavioral support waiver services. This change allows caregivers to access respite care without prior administrative approval once their annual assessed hours are exhausted.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new section in chapter 71A.12 RCW, outlining the responsibilities of the department to provide respite care as part of the aggregate services under the specified waivers. It also grants the department the authority to adopt necessary rules for implementation and sets a deadline for submitting a waiver amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by September 1, 2024. Following approval from these federal agencies, the department is required to update the relevant waivers within 30 days to incorporate respite care as an aggregate service.