HB 2098-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Authorizes the department to contract with licensed boarding homes for assisted living services.

     Revises certificate of need provisions for nursing homes.

     Requires development of minimum guidelines for identifying children who need long-term care services.

     Requires studies of the needs of foster care children.

     Develops guidelines for youth transitional services and for emancipation of minors.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2098-S

                   May 18, 1993

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, as to section 8, Substitute House Bill No. 2098, entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to options in long-term care;"

     Section 8 of this legislation directs the Department of Social and Health Services to develop a plan by July 1, 1994, which addresses the size of each Residential Habilitation Center serving the developmentally disabled.  The plan must specify the criteria for admission to or continued residence in each facility, an estimate of the number of clients meeting public health or specialized services criteria who are expected to require admission or continued residence, a review of the service needs of each client currently residing in the facilities, and the development of the community needs for clients not meeting the admission criteria.  The department must also propose uses for excess buildings and grounds in a manner benefiting the developmentally disabled and develop retraining or reemployment options for displaced state employees.

     This directive creates a substantial burden on the department and would involve a level of evaluation whose fiscal requirement is beyond that which could be absorbed.  Additionally, the study would duplicate existing evaluations of similar scope.  Instead, I am directing the Department of Social and Health Services to review the service needs of the Residential Habilitation Center clients as part of the institutions' restructuring in the 1993-95 biennium.

     With the exception of section 8, Substitute House Bill No. 2098 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor