HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2861

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the creation of the adult family home advisory council.

Brief Description:  Creating the adult family home advisory council.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Kremen, R. Johnson, Paris and Spanel.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 5, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; and Prentice.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  Adult Family Homes are licensed by the state to provide residential care for up to six frail and functionally disabled persons in a homelike setting.  The residents are physically and developmentally disabled and elderly adults who require supervision or assistance with activities of daily living and/or health related services and are unable to live alone.

Approximately 922 Adult Family Homes are licensed to provide residential care in this state.  Among these homes only 3.3 percent or 866 have residents whose care is paid for from state funds. Approximately 65 percent of state paid Adult Family Home residents are either developmentally disabled or otherwise disabled persons under 60 years of age.  The elderly comprise the remaining 35 percent of residents.

The Adult Family Home Program has been in operation in Washington for 24 years.  What began as a model project with a few homes in Seattle, Tacoma, and the Tri-cities grew to 900 licensed homes in 1986.  Since that period of time, the number of adult family homes has only increased slightly while the need for long-term care services has dramatically expanded. 

There are no statewide adult family home councils or advisory groups that serve in a formal advisory capacity to the Department of Social and Health Services.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  An Adult Family Home Advisory Council is established.  The 21-member council is made up of representatives from appropriate divisions within the Department of Social and Health Services, adult family home owners, residents, a balanced array of members from developmentally disabled, elderly, and mental health groups, and the state long-term care ombudsman.  Terms of office are set and other requirements for meetings and leadership are outlined.  The council is required to review, make recommendations, and consult with the Legislature and the Department of Social and Health Services regarding the development of all rules and regulations pertaining to adult family homes.  The council is mandated to provide specific recommendations to the department and the Legislature on the way the Adult Family Home Program can increase its utilization, improve safety and health standards, improve the quality of life for residents, and establish uniform training for home owners.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill includes a technical change which clarifies the correct name of the council.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 5, 1992.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  An Adult Family Home Council would be an important step in helping the industry and protecting the health and safety of residents.

Testimony Against:  The establishment of an Adult Family Home Council would cost state funds for transportation and administration.

Witnesses:  Representative Kremen, prime sponsor (pro); Evan Iverson, Senior Lobby (pro); Kathy Leitch, Department of Social and Health Services (con); Jean Dodd, Older Women's League (pro); Jeff Larsen, Adult Licensed Family Homes (pro); and Ann Little, SeaTac Adult Family Homes (pro).