Title: An act relating to adult family home services.

Brief Description: Regulating adult family home staff.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Curtis, Cody, Bailey, Clibborn, Skinner and Schual-Berke).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/05, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/17/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)

Background: Adult family homes are facilities licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. These homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services if necessary. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is responsible for licensing adult family homes, which provide community-based residential care for elderly and disabled individuals. Individual food handler permits are required for adult family home providers and staff.

In 2001, Governor Locke, partially vetoed SHB 1320. The veto removed the authority for employees of adult family homes to replace a food handlers license from the Department of Health with approved additional food safety training as part of their regular care giver training. The requirement for DSHS to develop opportunities for its staff to become familiar with the routines of adult family homes was also eliminated.

Summary of Bill: DSHS is required to implement a food safety component as part of the required training for staff and providers in adult family homes.

Food handler permits will not be necessary for persons working in adult family homes after June 30, 2005 who successfully complete training requirements.

Documentation that the information or training has been provided to the individuals must be kept on file by the employer.

Employees or providers who have food handler permits prior to June 30, 2005 must maintain continuing education classes of one half hours per year to maintain the food handling and safety training but do not need to renew the permit if they receive the continuing education.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This issue has been worked on for years. The language in this bill is agreed upon by providers and the Department of Social and Health Services. The bill provides for better training for providers and staff and allows the home-setting environment to continue.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Terry Kohl, Washington Residential Care Council.