SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2172

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to adult residential care services.

Brief Description:  Authorizing actions and penalties against adult residential care providers by the department of social and health services.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Cody, Dellwo, Dickerson, Horn and Carlson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/14/96 [w/oRec-HEA].

Health & Long-Term Care:  2/23/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Under recently expanded legislation, licensed boarding homes in this state may contract with the Department of Social and Health Services to provide residential services to disabled and elderly people who need some assistance with basic daily activities and cannot live entirely alone.  These services may include, for example, help with housekeeping, personal services like bathing, or some limited nursing services.

In 1995, the department was given expanded authority to take action against providers of these services should their care or some aspect of their program be found in violation of state standards.  These actions may include, for example, imposing new restrictions on the service contract, civil penalties of not more than $100 per day per violation, suspending the contract or admissions to the facility.

During the final drafting of the 1995 legislation authorizing this range of sanctions, "adult residential care services" was inadvertently omitted from the types of services subject to these sanctions.  The department has asked this error be corrected.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Social and Health Services is given the enforcement authority to sanction adult residential care services for violations of contract standards.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is a necessary correction to previous legislation.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cathy Wiggins, DSHS (pro).