Cooper v. Department of Institutions

Plaintiffs, as residents of the Washington Veterans’ Home at Retsil, brought this action for a declaratory judgment against the Department of Institutions and the Superintendent of the home, seeking to have a part of Laws of 1961, Ex. Ses., chapter 26, p. 2685, declared unconstitutional and void. From a judgment granting the relief sought, the Director and Superintendent appeal.

Plaintiffs had been admitted to and continued in residence at the home pursuant to RCW 72.36.040, which states that no person may be admitted as a resident of the home unless he is indigent and unable to support…