HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2444

As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to qualifications for adult family home providers and resident managers.

Brief Description:  Specifying qualifications for adult family home providers and resident managers.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Darneille, Campbell, Jarrett, Gombosky, Lovick, Ruderman, Pflug, Haigh and Kenney.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/1/02, 2/7/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/02, 96-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 3/13/02, 47-0.

House Concurred.

Passed House: 3/13/02, 97-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Adult family home operators and resident managers can meet minimum educational requirements with a United States high school diploma, general educational development certificate, or an English or translated government document from other enumerated official institutions.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Benson, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

Adult family home operators and resident managers must meet minimum education requirements with a United States high school diploma or a general educational development certificate.

Summary of Bill:

Adult family home operators and resident managers can meet minimum educational requirements with a United States high school diploma, general educational development certificate, or an English or translated government document from other enumerated official institutions.

An adult family home provider advisory committee is created to advise the Department of Social and Health Services on licensure issues.  The registration program for adult family homes through the Department of Health is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Many qualified individuals are not allowed to be adult family home operators and resident managers because they did not attend and graduate from U. S. high schools.  An equivalency option should be available for people educated in foreign countries who move to the United States.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Janet Rhode, Washington State Residential Care Council; David Rosenfeld, Center for Long-term Care Financing; Bill Day, Rowena Trim, and Richard Moore, Adult Family Home Association; Audrey Woodin; Mike Neeld, Washington Health Care Association; and Michael Ferreira, NorALFA.