HB 1637-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Finds that long-term care providers in the state of Washington are reporting unprecedented labor vacancies, particularly for those paraprofessionals who provide direct hands-on care to some of the most medically vulnerable citizens of our state.

     Declares an intent of this act to increase the stability of long-term care paraprofessional employment by supporting enhanced wages and benefits for those long-term care paraprofessional workers who provide direct hands-on care for state-funded clients in nursing homes, boarding homes, adult family homes, community residential settings for the developmentally disabled or mentally ill, or clients' own homes.