SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5513

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring the department of social and health services to develop a coordinated policy for long‑term care of children with special needs.

SPONSORS: Senators Roach, Franklin, M. Rasmussen and McAuliffe

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Current residential options for special needs children, children who need skilled health care intervention and monitoring due to physical or developmental disabilities or illness, are limited.  Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), drug affected children, etc. are currently limited to hospitals, nursing homes, and specialized foster care for residential care.  Families of these children currently receive limited support for the care of their children within their homes as well.

No minimum standards and guidelines exist for program options for special needs children outside of the options mentioned.  At the present, two programs are operating under a "special group home" state license for medically fragile children.

SUMMARY:

Duties of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the purpose of agencies created for the care of children, expectant mothers, and the developmentally disabled are amended to include creation of an array of residential and family support services for special needs children.

Special needs children are defined as individuals up to the age of 22 who have physical or developmental disabilities or developmental delays and illnesses that require skilled health care intervention and monitoring. 

DSHS is required to establish a children's long term care policy incorporating a continuum of family support options.  Residential care options and services are enumerated.  DSHS and the Department of Health are to establish minimum standards to guide the selection of facilities and agencies authorized to establish residential care options.  The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) shall report to the Legislature on the development of this agreement and a children's long term care policy and provide oversight.

LBC is also directed to conduct an independent evaluation of residential options for medically fragile children, including quality and safety standards and report to the Legislature.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 3, 1993