HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1132

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 Summary of Substitute Bill

Authorizes the Department of Social and Health Services to waive all or part of an adult family home's licensing and processing fees and extend timeframes for initial training for applicants in exceptional circumstances.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Jinkins, Johnson, Moeller, Robinson, Rodne, Short, Tharinger and Van De Wege.

Background:

Adult family homes are community-based facilities licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. These homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services.

Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (Department). Adult family homes must meet facility standards as well as requirements for training resident managers and caregivers. Staff of adult family homes who are employed as long-term care workers must meet specific training requirements and, in some instances, become certified as home care aides.

Fees for adult family homes are established in the operating budget. The annual renewal fee is currently $225 per bed and the processing fee for initial licensure is $2,750. The Department, by rule, also applies the processing fee to applications involving a change of ownership or change of location.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The change of ownership fee for adult family homes that is established in rule is codified in statute. The fee amount is to be determined in the operating budget.

The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) may allow a one-time waiver of all or part of licensing, processing, and change-of-ownership fees for an adult family home if payment of the fee would present a hardship to the applicant. The Department may also extend the timeframe for an applicant for an adult family home license to complete administration and business planning class requirements. The extension may be for up to four months and the Department may issue the license prior to the completion of the class if the applicant has enrolled in or completed the class. The waiver and the extension apply in situations in which an adult family home is being relicensed because of exceptional circumstances, such as the death or incapacity of a provider.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill extends the time for an applicant for an adult family home license to meet the business planning class requirement if they have enrolled in the class within four months of licensure.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This will avoid requiring a large relicensing fee for situations in which a spouse passes away. This is an efficiency bill. This maintains the important services that adult family services provide. This provides the Department of Social and Health Services with the ability to use discretion to protect long-term care resources and allows stability for individuals living in adult family homes. This protects vulnerable adults living in adult family homes. Allowing an exception for adult family homes to have a one-time waiver is good policy and makes sense.

Because business planning courses are offered through community colleges, the delay for training should apply if the person has completed the class or has enrolled in the class within four months.

This bill puts a budget proviso into statute to make it permanent. This has been used seven times since last year.

(Opposed) None.