SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6879

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.

Background: The Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA) was established by Initiative 775 in November 2001. The HCQA is governed by a nine-member board and its duties include establishing qualifications for individual providers (although Initiative 1029 adopted in 2008 establishes training requirements and qualifications for individual providers) and operating individual provider referral registry, consulting with the Office of Financial Management Labor Relations Office (LRO) on collective bargaining issues related to individual providers, and managing the workers' compensation contract for individual providers. In addition, the HCQA routinely contracts with researchers at Washington State University to conduct research and statewide surveys of home care workers and consumers of in-home care services.

The individual provider referral registry is an Internet-based database containing the names and contact information of qualified individual providers. Before listing a provider in the registry, the HCQA makes certain the provider meets the minimum training requirements, has undergone a criminal background check, and is not listed on any long-term care abuse and neglect registry maintained by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Pursuant to RCW 74.39A.290 the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) conducted two performance reviews of the HCQA. The first review was submitted in 2006 and the second review was submitted in 2009. Both reviews are available on the JLARC website. The most recent review found that the HCQA is meeting its statutory duties and met 14 of its 15 performance targets.

The 2009-11 enacted budget for the HCQA totals $2.5 million General Fund-State and 4.0 FTEs.