HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5152

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 House Committee On:

Early Learning & Human Services

Title: An act relating to pediatric transitional care services.

Brief Description: Concerning pediatric transitional care services.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Senators Fain, Keiser, Rivers, Becker, Palumbo and Kuderer).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Early Learning & Human Services: 3/10/17, 3/14/17 [DPA].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by Committee)

  • Requires the Department of Health to regulate establishments providing pediatric transitional care services to drug-exposed infants aged birth to 1 year.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Frame, Goodman, Kilduff, Klippert, Lovick, McCaslin and Muri.

Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).

Background:

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) can occur in an infant who has been exposed to addictive opiate drugs during the mother's pregnancy. Babies born with NAS may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms shortly after birth. These symptoms can include tremors, high-pitched crying, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and temperature instability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence rate of NAS in the State of Washington increased from a rate of 1.5 for every 1,000 hospital births in 1999 to a rate of 7.9 for every 1,000 hospital births in 2013.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children's Administration (CA) contracts with the Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) to provide residential care for children from birth to age 2 who have been exposed to and are exhibiting withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and other drugs. Seventy-five percent of the children served by the PICC must be in need of special care due to substance abuse by their mothers. This specialized care can include the medically supervised administration of morphine or methadone to assist the withdrawal process, swaddling and rocking, and feeding in a low-stimulus environment.

The CA licenses the PICC as a group care facility for up to 13 infants. The Department of Health (DOH) inspects the PICC for compliance with group care health and safety rules. In addition to infant care, the PICC provides on-site training to biological parents, relative caregivers, and foster and adoptive parents.

The DOH licenses private establishments that treat mentally ill and chemically dependent persons. The DOH may inspect establishments for licensing compliance at any time.

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Summary of Amended Bill:

Establishments providing pediatric transitional care services must be licensed by the DOH beginning January 1, 2019. Existing facilities providing these services are not subject to construction review by the DOH for initial licensure. An establishment providing pediatric transitional care services must demonstrate that it is capable of providing services for children who:

An establishment may train a noncredentialed, unlicensed person to be an on-site caregiver for drug-exposed infants. A caregiver may not provide medical care and must work under the supervision of a health care professional.

If the DSHS refers a child for pediatric transitional care services, the DSHS retains case management responsibility and must provide consultation to the establishment regarding placement and permanency planning, including the development of a parent-child visitation plan.

The DSHS must work with the establishment and the DOH to:

The DOH must consult with the DSHS to adopt rules regarding pediatric transitional care services. The rules for pediatric transitional care services are not considered as a new DSHS service category. The rules must:

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

Rules for pediatric transitional care services must include timelines for initial and ongoing parent-infant visits to help develop attachment and bonding between the parent and child.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill allows the PICC to be regulated appropriately and was amended to allow an appropriate health professional to administer the NAS scoring. The amended bill has significantly reduced the fiscal note from the DOH.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Jean Leonard, Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.