Beginning on page 1, line 21 of the amendment, strike sections 2 through 8 and insert the following:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. "(1) The legislative advisory committee on aging established in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5180 shall study the various state programs allowing for the delivery of medicaid personal care services, and develop recommendations for a comprehensive and effective statewide policy to support streamlined access to personal care services for the state's citizens who are aging, disabled, or who have a developmental disability. The committee must consult with stakeholders knowledgeable about the interests and needs of both consumers and caregivers, and shall include a discussion of consumer-directed approaches, including those approaches that allow family members of the consumer to provide care. The recommendations must include strategies to:
(a) Promote consumer health, safety, and autonomy;
(b) Ensure adequate caregiver training and support;
(c) Verify the quality and appropriateness of care;
(d) Reduce barriers for consumers who prefer to receive care from caregivers of their choosing, including family members; and
(e) Mitigate or minimize potential liability issues that may arise in the context of consumer-directed programs.
(2) In the alternative, if Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5180 is not enacted by July 1, 2017, the department of social and health services shall convene a work group consisting of stakeholders knowledgeable about the interests and needs of both consumers and caregivers to conduct the study and develop the recommendations described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The advisory legislative committee on aging or the department of social and health services must submit a report with recommendations to the appropriate policy and fiscal committee of the legislature by July 1, 2018.
(4) This section expires July 1, 2018."
On page 10, beginning on line 13 of the amendment, after "RCW" strike the remainder of the title amendment and insert "74.39A.326; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Strikes the provisions directing the DSHS to create a new consumer-directed program, and instead directs the Legislative Advisory Committee on Aging to study the need for additional flexibility in accessing Medicaid personal care services, including consumer-directed services. Requires the Committee to develop recommendations for the legislature to establish a comprehensive statewide approach to supporting access to personal care services and reducing obstacles for consumers who wish to receive personal care services in their own home from caregivers of their choosing, including family members. In the alternative, if ESSB 5180 is not enacted, the DSHS is directed to convene a work group to study and make recommendations to the legislature.