SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 2555

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,

                       FEBRUARY 23, 1994

Brief Description:  Modifying licensing and inspection of transient accommodations.

SPONSORS: Representative Heavey; by request of Department of Health

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Erwin, Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice and Winsley.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786‑7198)

Hearing Dates:  February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, the 1,469 "transient accommodations" in this state are subject to annual inspections as a condition of license renewal.  These accommodations include hotels, motels, resorts, youth hostels, and shelters.  The Department of Health inspects such things as the cleanliness of rooms, how the laundry is done, the water temperature, the type of bedding and anything relevant to the sanitation and maintenance of the living environment.  These inspections do not include food service, which is typically handled by the local health department.  Fire safety inspections are handled by the local fire department.

SUMMARY:

The number of facilities inspected yearly is reduced from all to 10 percent. The Department of Health will develop and use alternative survey methods which will encourage the person operating the transient accommodation to self-inspect and comply with licensing rules.

The annual license period is the period from the date of issuance rather than January 1 to December 31.

A single fee to cover the cost of licensure and enforcement activities is established.

The Department of Health is authorized to impose civil fines in lieu of or in addition to revocation or suspension of a license.

A 60-day filing period for an initial license and 30 day filing period for a renewal are required. 

Language is amended in statute removing the redundant requirement that the Department of Community Development, through the Director of Fire Protection, enforce fire life safety standards, normally carried out by local fire authorities.         

The bill is expected to save $396,574 over the next two biennia. 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The reduction in transient accommodation inspections will last only until June 1997 pending a favorable report from the Department of Health by December 1, 1996, and reenactment of legislation extending the provisions of section 4 of this bill.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Byron Plan, DOH (pro)