Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

HB 1574

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.

Brief Description: Establishing a fee for certification for the residential services and supports program to cover investigative costs.

Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Ryu and Pollet; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires a certification fee for providers who contract with the Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide services through the Residential Services and Supports Program.

Hearing Date: 2/8/13

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Background:

Residential Services and Support

Residential services are provided to eligible clients of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) by providers and enable clients to live in their community. They may include supported living services and group home services.

Group Home

A certified group home is a community-based licensed residential program where the provider who contracts with the DDD owns the facility. A group home may be licensed as either an Adult Family Home or an Assisted Living Facility (formerly a Boarding Home). An Adult Family Home may be licensed for a maximum of six residents. An Assisted Living Facility may be licensed for seven or more residents. The majority of certified group homes are privately owned businesses, and the homes may serve from four to 10 DDD clients. Certification and licensing are carried out through separate processes.

Supported Living Services

Supported living services are residential services provided to DDD clients who are living in their own homes in the community. The DDD contracts with individuals and agencies that provide these services. The amount of supported living services may vary from a few hours per month to 24 hours of one-on-one support per day. The majority of the providers that contract with the DDD provide services in the home of the client.

Certification

Providers are certified through the Residential Care Services Division of the Aging and Disability Services Administration. A certification means that the provider has complied with certain administrative requirements such as staffing, liability insurance, and the practices used by the provider to deliver services, as outlined in provisions in the Washington Administrative Code. The certification provided by the Residential Care Services Division allows a provider to continue to receive referrals and to provide services under a contract with the DDD. Certification may be granted to providers for up to two years. There is no fee for certification.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning July 1, 2013, a provider of residential services for DDD clients must pay an initial and an annual certification fee. The purpose of the fee is to pay for the costs of additional recourses to investigate complaints about provider practice and clients who are alleged to have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or exploited. The DSHS must use these additional resources to address the complaint work load and to intervene for clients in a timely manner when there is possible abuse or neglect.

The initial and subsequent annual fee must be established in the Appropriations Act. The fees imposed may not exceed the costs for the investigation of complaints. No certification fee will be required for government-operated institutions or court-appointed receivers.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 31, 2013.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.