OLYMPIA – With overwhelming bipartisan support, the state Senate passed Rep. Christine Kilduff’s (D-University Place) ABLE Act with a unanimous vote of 48 to 0. The ABLE Act allows tax-free savings accounts similar to college savings plans for housing, education, transportation, health care and related expenses for persons with disabilities. Currently people with disabilities and their families can be penalized for having more than $2,000 in savings for programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
“Everyone deserves a chance at a good education and a good life and having tools to save money for their children is one way families can make sure that happens. Having money in their savings account can give people with disabilities choices about where to live, what to learn and how to experience life to its fullest. I’m so proud we were able to pass this bill into law and am excited that families will now have this option,” said Kilduff.
“This is an historic opportunity to open the financial doors for individuals with disabilities, a necessary and important step forward much like the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act 26 years ago,” Kilduff added.
The bill, which previously passed the House on February 10 by a vote of 83-13, now heads to the governor’s desk for his approval.
###