HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2163

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to relating to residential habilitation centers.

Brief Description:  Providing for assessment of residential habilitation center residents.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ogden, Silver, Valle, Dunshee, Fuhrman, Carlson, H. Myers and Leonard; by request of Legislative Budget Committee.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 3, 1994, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Caver; Karahalios; Padden; Patterson and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Lisk.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  A number of questions exist regarding the ability of current residents of residential habilitation centers to move to community placements.  The Department of Social and Health Services does not have a plan it follows to determine the future size of and mission for residential habilitation centers.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services is required to assess each resident of a residential habilitation center to identify any barriers to community placement, significant risks to the community or resident of community placement, the need for medical services and other support services.  The secretary is also required to analyze placement costs and related comparable costs to determine what is the most cost-effective for the resident.  The secretary will also develop a plan on the recommended size and services of each residential habilitation center as of the year 2001, in conjunction with a task force.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The cost analysis of different placement options will use comparable, related costs; the use of residential habilitation centers for respite is removed; and the reference to admission criteria for residential habilitation centers is removed.  A task force is created to assist the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This study is needed to determine the future role and size of residential habilitation centers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jackie MacRae, Developmental Disabilities Roundtable (pro); and Mike Wilson and Bill Mack, Homes for Community Living (pro).