Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services Committee

SB 5547

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning respite care.

Sponsors: Senators Hargrove, Pflug, McAuliffe, Oemig, Marr, Fairley, Kauffman, Franklin, Parlette, Carrell, Haugen, Kilmer, Jarrett, Pridemore, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Regala and Keiser.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows respite services to a family member if the family member resides with, is the primary care giver, and provides personal care in the home to an adult with developmental disabilities.

Hearing Date: 3/16/09

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092)

Background:

The Individual Family Support Program, provided through the Division of Developmental Disabilities, supports families while caring for a family member with developmental disabilities in their home. Families may receive the following services:

Respite care is a service provided to parents who live with and take care of their children with developmental disabilities. It allows these parents to have a "respite" from the demands of caring for their son or daughter 24 hours per day, 7 days per week or to allow time to run errands and take care of other matters outside of the home. A parent may hire an independent care provider who comes into the home or takes the son or daughter on an outing. Under some circumstances, parents may take their child to a licensed facility for a period of hours. The number of respite hours allotted may vary. They may be taken pursuant to a set schedule, but more often, they are taken sporadically when the need arises. Only care providers who are parents are allowed to receive respite services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This committee passed a nearly identical bill, Second Substitute House Bill 1429.

Summary of Bill:

Respite services would be provided for a sibling, grandparent, or other family member if that person, rather than the parent, is the primary care giver who provides personal care in the home of an adult person with a developmental disability. The family member must also live with the adult.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.