SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5563

As Passed Senate, March 13, 2003

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 twenty-four months.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio, Thibaudeau, Franklin and Shin; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/6/03, 2/20/03 [DPS, DNP].

Passed Senate: 3/13/03, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5563 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland and Parlette.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

      Signed by Senator Franklin.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: There are 526 licensed boarding homes in this state. Under current law, the Department of Social and Health Services is required to inspect every one annually. These inspections are supposed to be unannounced to ensure that the conditions being inspected reflect normal activity. Due to staffing limitations and the number of boarding homes, however, most inspections are conducted on a predictable schedule. The department seeks to extend the required time period between inspections to allow for more time spent on urgent and crisis situations, and increase their ability to conduct unannounced visits.

Summary of Bill: Boarding homes must be inspected every 24 months.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Allowing the department to conduct routine inspections less frequently will free up inspectors to go after bad homes.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Laura St. Ours, NORALFA; Russell Hanscom, Arbor Village.