SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2359

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, April 21, 2009

Title: An act relating to delaying the implementation date for peer mentoring for long-term care workers.

Brief Description: Concerning delaying the implementation date for peer mentoring for long-term care workers.

Sponsors: Representative Cody.

Brief History: Passed House: 4/18/09, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 4/21/09 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Hobbs, Honeyford, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Oemig, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Regala and Schoesler.

Staff: Megan Atkinson (786-7446)

Background: The Department of Social and Health Services Aging and Disabilities Services Administration (ADSA) operates several programs that provide personal care services to clients. Personal care services include assistance with quotidian tasks – oftentimes referred to as activities of daily living – such as toileting, dressing, bathing, meal preparation, and household chores. These services may be provided in clients' homes by long-term care workers.

House Bill 2284 (Chapter 361, Laws of 2007) enacted certain training requirement for long-term care works. This bill includes a peer mentoring program that requires peer mentoring or on-the-job training to be offered to all long-term care workers for at least one hour per week in the first 90 days of work. This requirement applies to long-term care workers who begin work on or after January 1, 2010.

Summary of Bill: The requirement to offer peer mentoring or on-the-job training will take effect July 1, 2011, instead of January 1, 2010.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Peer mentoring is a very valuable program and is a proven way to provide on-the-job training and support to new workers.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Misha Werschkul, Service Employees International Union.