SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5797

As Passed Senate, February 12, 2004

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

Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to inspect adult family homes at least every twenty-four months.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette and Brandland).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/20/03, 3/5/03 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/17/03, 49-0; 2/12/04, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5797 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: Adult family homes provide room, board, and care to elderly and disabled individuals statewide. Currently, there are 2,083 licensed adult family homes providing care to 11,000 individuals, 3,274 of whom are Medicaid clients. These homes are licensed to care for up to six unrelated individuals, and they are regulated by the Department of Social and Health Services. State law currently requires that the department conduct inspections at least every 18 months, subject to funding.

Summary of Bill: The department is authorized to conduct inspections of adult family homes every 24 months in homes that have had three consecutive inspections without any citations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This will allow the department to spend more time on poor performance homes, and less time doing routine inspections on good homes.

Testimony Against: The current inspection schedule of 18 months is a minimum. There are very vulnerable and ill people in adult family homes. Maintaining the current practice is important for their safety.

Testified: PRO: Bill Day, Adult Family Home Association; Terry Kohl, Wendy Mitchel, Washington State Residential Care Council; CON: Hilke Faber, Resident Councils of Washington; Kary Hyre, LTC Ombudsman; Ruth Shearer, senior; Pat Lashway, DSHS.

House Amendment(s): Language was added allowing for an extended inspection cycle if there are no inspection citations or violations resulting from complaint investigations.