SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2444

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, February 28, 2002

Title:  An act relating to qualifications for adult family home providers and resident managers.

Brief Description:  Specifying qualifications for adult family home providers and resident managers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Darneille, Campbell, Jarrett, Gombosky, Lovick, Ruderman, Pflug, Haigh and Kenney.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/20/02, 2/28/02 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.

Staff:  Rhoda Donkin (786‑7198)

Background:  Adult family homes are long-term care facilities licensed to care for up to six individuals.  Anyone who wants to operate one of these facilities must get a license from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  The minimum qualifications for getting a license include being at least age 21, completing 320 hours of direct caregiving experience with adults in a licensed setting, and a curriculum of basic training.

Legislation that passed in 2001 added the requirement that adult family home license applicants  have proof they graduated from high school or received a general education development certificate.

There has been concern that requiring a high school diploma as a prerequisite for applying to be a licensee disqualifies foreign born applicants who have been educated but who don't have a U.S. high school diploma.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Minimum education requirements for an adult family home applicant are modified to include government-approved public or private education in a foreign country, proof of admission to higher education institutions which are described in the legislation, or successful completion of a registered nursing degree or any medical degree requiring an education.  The legislation takes effect immediately.

The registration program of adult family home providers and resident managers under the Department of Health is repealed, including the advisory committee.  Registration fees collected by the department are returned to the registrants, less actual program costs, according to a distribution formula determined by the department.  The inclusion of registered adult family home providers and resident managers under the disciplinary authority of the secretary of health and the Uniform Disciplinary Act is also repealed.

An adult family home advisory committee is established.  The secretary of DSHS appoints the chair after consulting with the committee.  It will meet at least four times a year to consult on matters related to adult family homes.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The registration program of adult family home providers and resident managers under the Department of Health is repealed, including the advisory committee.  Registration fees collected by the department are returned to the registrants, less actual program costs, according to a distribution formula determined by the department.  The inclusion of registered adult family home providers and resident managers under the disciplinary authority of the secretary of health and the Uniform Disciplinary Act is also repealed.

An adult family home advisory committee is established.  The secretary of DSHS appoints the chair after consulting with the committee.  It will meet at least four times a year to consult on matters related to adult family homes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill has an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  People who are educated in other countries should not be prohibited from applying for adult family home licensure because they don't have a U. S. high school diploma.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Bill Day, AFHA.