SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2983

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 27, 1998

                  Ways & Means, March 2, 1998

Title:  An act relating to residential living arrangements for adults with severe developmental disabilities.

Brief Description:  Encouraging the development of residential living arrangements for persons with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Robertson, L. Thomas, Pennington, Costa, Mitchell, Regala, Cooke and McCune).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/26/98, 2/27/98 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/2/98 [w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Benton, Franklin, Strannigan and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Without recommendation.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Tim Yowell (786-7435)

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services contracts for a variety of community-based services including residential services, day and employment programs, skills training, therapies, and other support services for people with developmental disabilities. Contracts for these services are entered into with profit, not-for-profit and nonprofit entities.

Summary of Bill:  Legislative intent is declared that the department encourage the development of residential living arrangements through contracts with private nonprofit organizations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For (Health & Long-Term Care):  This strengthens the department=s policy of contracting with nonprofit organizations to provide community residential care for people with developmental disabilities.

Testimony Against (Health & Long-Term Care):  None.

Testified (Health & Long-Term Care):  PRO:  Linda Johnson, DDD/DSHS; Patti Harris, Sue Whitehouse, parents.

Testimony (Ways & Means):  None.