VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5733-S

March 26, 2004

To the Honorable President and Members,

The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 2, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5733 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to fairness and protection in boarding homes and adult family homes;"

This bill improves the laws governing the licensing of boarding homes and adult family homes. It clarifies responsibilities of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to communicate inspection and other quality of care findings to residents and their families.

Section 2 would have allowed DSHS to access the financial records of a boarding home when needed to investigate allegations of financial exploitation of a resident, or to examine instances in which there is reason to believe that a financial obligation related to resident care will not be met. This same section of statute is amended by section 3 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 6160. The amendments in Substitute Senate Bill No. 6160 provide additional protections that support the operation of quality assurance committees in boarding homes. In light of the amendments in Substitute Senate Bill No. 6160, section 2 of this bill would have introduced confusion in quality monitoring activities and is unnecessary.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 2 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 5733.

With the exception of section 2, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5733 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor