FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2152

                          C 81 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for adult family home licensing and operation.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Backlund, Cody, Morris, Carlson, Thompson, Costa and Murray; by request of Department of Health.

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  Adult family homes are licensed by the state to provide residential care for up to six frail and functionally disabled persons in a home-like setting.  The residents in adult family homes 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.  Adult family home providers are required to meet Department of Social and Health Services minimal qualifications for certification, complete 20 hours of basic training, and successfully undergo a law enforcement background check.  In addition, each adult family home residence is required to undergo inspections and meet home safety standards, such as having functioning smoke detectors on every level, a fire extinguisher, first aid supplies, handrails on stairs, and other key safety standards as defined by the department.  Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services.  The Department of Social and Health Services regulates adult family homes through rules overseen by the Aging and Adult Services Administration. 

The Adult Family Home Program has been in operation in Washington for 25 years.  What began as a model project with a few homes in Seattle, Tacoma, and the Tri-cities now consists of approximately 1,850 licensed adult family homes statewide caring for over 8,000 individuals.  Approximately 2,000 of these residents are state-funded.  Of these state-funded adult family home clients, approximately 65 percent are either developmentally disabled, or otherwise disabled, persons under 60 years of age.  The elderly comprise the remaining 35 percent of adult family home residents.

In 1995 the Legislature modified, expanded, and strengthened adult family home regulations.  The Department of Health was given the responsibility to oversee the registration of all adult family home providers under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  This law's use of the term "provider" does not make it clear who is required to register with the Department of Health.  The Department of Social and Health Services distinguishes adult family home "providers" who own but do not always operate the adult family home, from adult family home "resident managers" who are employed by a provider to conduct the day-to-day operations of the home.  Under the 1995 legislation, the Uniform Disciplinary Act was to cover the individuals who run the day-to-day duties of the adult family home.  Those individuals who failed to comply with codes of proper conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act were to be prevented from operating another adult family home in the state.

Summary:  The definitions of "providers" and "resident managers" are made consistent under the Department of Social and Health Services licensing statutes and the Department of Health (DOH) statutes granting the DOH the authority to register adult family homes.  The DOH is given the authority to screen multiple facility operators for financial solvency and operating standards, including ways to mitigate vehicle traffic in neighborhoods.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     94 0

Senate    31 15 (Senate amended)

House     85 8 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 1996