SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6403
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:
Health & Long-Term Care, February 2, 2012
Title: An act relating to removing financial barriers to persons seeking vulnerable adult protection orders.
Brief Description: Removing financial barriers to persons seeking vulnerable adult protection orders.
Sponsors: Senator Regala.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/02/12 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6403 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Frockt, Kline, Parlette, Pflug and Pridemore.
Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)
Background: A vulnerable adult is a person who is 60 years of age or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself; has been found to be incapacitated; has a developmental disability; has been admitted to a facility such as a nursing home, boarding home, or adult family home; or receives services from home health, hospice or home care agencies, or an individual provider. A vulnerable adult may seek relief from abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect by filing a petition for an order for protection in superior court in the county where the vulnerable adult resides. No filing fee may be charged to a vulnerable adult for filing such a petition; standard forms and written instructions must be provided free of charge.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): A public agency may not charge a filing fee or a fee for service of process to a vulnerable adult seeking relief from abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. Vulnerable adults must be provided the necessary number of certified copies at no cost.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Corrects a typographical error.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Public agencies want to be able to provide these protection orders without a fee. Local governments want to waive fees and it will not result in costs to these local governments; in Pierce County this should cost less than $500 a year.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Craig Adams, Pierce County Sheriff; James McMahan, WA Assn. of County Officials.