FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 697

                                  C 158 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Brooks, Braddock, Sprenkle, Lux, P. King and Doty; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Revising provisions on long-term care ombudsmen.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1983, the legislature established a long-term care ombudsman program within the Department of Social and Health Services.  The purpose of the ombudsman program is to assist residents of long-term care facilities in asserting their rights and to investigate and resolve complaints.  The ombudsman position is classified under the state Civil Service Law.

In 1986, the department appointed a task force to study and make recommendations on the ombudsman program.  The task force recommended that the Legislative Budget Committee conduct a study on the appropriateness of placing the ombudsman's office within the department.  Other recommendations included exempting the ombudsman from the state Civil Service Law and authorizing citizen volunteers to engage in fact-finding activities.

SUMMARY:

The Legislative Budget Committee is directed to study the effectiveness of the long-term care ombudsman program.  The study must include an analysis of the appropriate placement of the office, whether within the Department of Social and Health Services or in association with other state agencies or as an independent agency.  The study must also address the appropriateness of exempting the ombudsman position from civil service law.  The report is due by December 1, 1987.

Volunteer ombudsman activities are restricted to identifying and resolving problems in long-term care facilities and engaging in fact-finding to determine if formal complaints should be made.  Volunteers may not be used for actual complaint investigations.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    49     0

EFFECTIVE:April 22, 1987