SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6289

 

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, January 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:  Senators Fairley, Kohl‑Welles and Rasmussen.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  1/24/02, 1/28/02 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

 

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6289 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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 GED 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 Substitute 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 on May 1, 2002.

 

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The emergency clause was dropped and a new effective date was added.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

Effective Date:  May 1, 2002.

 

Testimony For:  This will open up opportunity for people who have been educated in other countries to qualify as adult family home providers.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  PRO:  Asile Capusan, Eugen Capusan, Luke Esser; Kathy Leitch, DSHS-AASA; Skip Dreps, NW Paralegal; Jeff Thompson, HCA; Ree Sailors, OFM; Audrey Woodin, WSRCC; Bill Day, Adult Family Home Assn.