HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1694

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to the timing of the inspection of boarding homes.

Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to inspect boarding homes at least every eighteen months.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Skinner, Clibborn and Dickerson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care: 2/12/03, 2/20/03 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/10/03, 95-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/17/03, 48-0.

House Concurred. 

Passed House: 4/22/03, 77-21.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Benson, Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Boarding homes are currently inspected by the Department of Social and Health Services (Department ) at least annually. The Department also inspects adult family homes. The inspection cycle for adult family homes is at least every 18 months.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The inspection cycle for boarding homes is changed from annually to at least every 18 months, with a 15-month average. The Department of Social and Health Services may delay inspections up to 24 months if the boarding home has had three consecutive inspections without a written notice of violations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Lengthening the inspection cycle will give Department staff greater flexibility in deciding when to inspect boarding homes.

Testimony Against: Eighteen months is too long to go between inspections.

Testified: (In support) Pat Lashway, Department of Social and Health Services.

(Opposed) Kary Hyre, Long-term Care Ombudsman.