Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

HB 2345

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: Concerning group training homes.

Sponsors: Representative Kilduff; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Eliminates the requirement that day training centers and group training homes be operated on a non-profit basis.

  • Eliminates special eligibility and payment provisions for group training homes where parents are actively involved as a member of the group training home board.

Hearing Date: 1/19/18

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

The Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) provides services to individuals who:

If an individual meets Institutional Level of Care (ILC) standards and other eligibility, the individual is entitled to services through the Medicaid State Plan. These state plan options include:

If an individual does not meet the ILC standard, but meets other eligibility criteria, he or she may be served by a Medicaid waiver such as:

DDA Residential Services.

Certified residential services are offered in integrated settings and provide supports that vary from a few hours per month to 24 hours per day of one-on one support. The level of support provided is based on individual need and the sharing of support within a household.

Group Training Homes.

Group Training Homes are community based residential facilities that serve two or more adults. Individuals pay a participation fee to the provider for room and board. Group training homes are certified by Residential Care Services and contract for services with the DDA. Group training homes must be operated on a non-profit basis for the full time care, treatment, training, and maintenance of persons with developmental disabilities. Special eligibility and payment provisions must be developed by the DDA for group training homes where parents are actively involved as a member of the board and who provide for some of the services required by a resident. There are currently two group training homes in the state.

Day Training Centers.

Day training centers are facilities equipped, supervised, managed, and operated at least three days per week week operated on a nonprofit basis for the full-time care, treatment, training, and maintenance of persons with developmental disabilities. There are currently no day training centers in the state.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement that day training centers and group training homes be operated on a non-profit basis is removed. The requirement that special eligibility and payment provisions for group training homes where parents are actively involved as a member of the board of the group training home is also removed.

The requirement that the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) determine the type of services and the amount that the DSHS will pay for services in a day training center or group training home based on the needs of the person and the ability of the parent or guardian to contribute to the payment of the monthly cost of those services is removed, and the DSHS is provided authority to establish a payment structure for those services.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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