SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5672
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 22, 2019
Title: An act relating to adult family home specialty services.
Brief Description: Concerning adult family home specialty services.
Sponsors: Senators Cleveland, O'Ban, Walsh, Wellman, Darneille, Dhingra, Hunt, Keiser, Frockt, Kuderer, Nguyen and Saldaña.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 2/13/19, 2/20/19, 2/22/19 [DPS-WM, DNP].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5672 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; Conway, Dhingra, Frockt, Keiser, Rivers and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators O'Ban, Ranking Member; Bailey and Becker.
Staff: LeighBeth Merrick (786-7445)
Background: Individuals with developmental disabilities and older adults having long-term care needs may receive services from DSHS. DSHS administers the state's Medicaid long-term care program. To qualify for the program, an individual must meet certain functional and financial criteria. An individual may receive long-term care in their own home, an assisted living facility, an adult day center, an adult family homes, or a skilled nursing facility.
An adult family home is a residential home that provides personal care, specialty care, necessary supervision, laundry, and room and board for up to six adults who need long-term care. Staff of adult family homes serving individuals with dementia, developmental disabilities, or mental health needs are required to take a specialty training course for each of these conditions. Each course is six to twenty hours. Once all of the adult family home's staff have completed the specialty training course, the adult family home receives a specialty designation.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): By June 1, 2020, the Developmental Disabilities Administration within DSHS must work with stakeholders to design and implement services for individuals living in adult family homes that exclusively serve individuals who have a primary need of care related to developmental disabilities.
By June 1, 2020, the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration within DSHS must work with stakeholders to design and implement services for individuals living in adult family homes that are dedicated solely to the care of individuals with dementia.
The services must be:
designed to meet the specific provisions related to assessment, environment, regulations, provision of care, and training requirements; and
designed to support an intentional environment to improve resident quality of life, increase resident length of stay, clarify regulations, streamline training requirements, reduce the need for institutional settings, and attract more adult family home providers to develop these resources.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
Replaces references to "specialty contracts" with "services."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2019.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Medicaid rates are too low for adult family homes to take individuals with developmental disabilities and dementia. As a result, these individuals end up being unable to discharge from the hospitals. Adult family homes are cost-effective and are a critical care component for individuals with disabilities and individuals with dementia. Assisted living has a specialty contract for individuals with dementia, and other states have implemented similar contracts.
OTHER: The implementation dates may need to be more flexible and the language should be modified to meet CMS requirements.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Len McComb, Washington State Hospital Association; Sue Elliott, The Arc of Washington State; John Ficker, Adult Family Home Council; Catalina Angel, Community Homes Inc; Alyssa Midgley, Community Homes Inc; Laura Vaillancourt, LMHC, GMHS. OTHER: Bill Moss, DSHS/ALTSA; Deborah Roberts, DSHS/DDA.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.