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Earlier this year, SSB 5393 became Chapter 410, Laws of 2025 entitled “Closing the Rainier school by June 30, 2027.” To implement the law, the Department of Social and Health Services will limit new admissions to those with a short-term need starting in July 2025 and stop new admissions July 1, 2027. The department will provide meaningful options to all current residents who choose to transition to another RHC or to the community. If they choose to transition to a community location, they may request to return to Rainier School for up to one year afterwards, which is not considered a new admission. Rainier School will cease to operate when the census reaches zero.
As a part of this process, DSHS is seeking public comments on mitigating the effects of closing Rainier School at an unspecified future date, and any potential impacts of the sale, transfer, or alternative use of the property. A formal public comment period is open for ninety days through Oct. 31, 2025. Public comment is sought from all communities affected.
In addition to the future closure of Rainier School, it's important to know that Rainier School also provides water treatment services to the City of Buckley. The City of Buckley received grant money to study other water treatment services options in the future; this study is expected to be completed in 2027.
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Chapter 410, Laws of 2025 Sec. 5 states, “The department of social and health services shall, within available funds, hold a public comment period to solicit feedback for the purpose of identifying strategies to mitigate the impact of the closure described in section 2 of this act on the communities that are most directly affected. The public comment period must be at least 90 days and must conclude no later than November 1, 2025.”
Governor Ferguson’s Veto Letter for the operating budget bill, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, directs, “the department to uphold the commitment to work closely with the City of Buckley, impacted communities, people with lived experience, and families of Rainier School residents to develop the best strategies for the future of the water treatment services and any potential benefits of the sale, transfer, or alternative use of the property.”
More context about Rainier School is available in the Rainier School Footprint Reduction Report submitted to the Legislature June 30, 2023, and in the Rainier School Master Plan completed April 20, 2017.
You are welcome to submit comments regarding both Chapter 410, Laws of 2025 and the Governor’s direction to the department in his veto letter referenced above.
For questions, please reach out to 5393rainierschool@dshs.wa.gov.
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 Washington State DD Council
P.O. Box 48314
Olympia, WA 98504-8314
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