Brief Description: Exempting independent provider home care workers from public disclosure requirements.

Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Strow, Curtis, DeBolt, Moeller, Roach, Lovick, Hinkle, Williams, Green, Morrell, Wallace, Hunt and Simpson.

Hearing Date: 2/22/05

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

Each state and local agency is required to make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless the record is exempted from disclosure. The Legislature has enacted a number of exemptions preventing disclosure of residential addresses and phone numbers for:

• employees or volunteers of a public agency which are held by the public agency;
• health care providers licensed by the state and maintained by the Department of Health;
• participants in vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing programs; and
• customers of a public utility, with some exceptions..

There is no express exemption provided for the residential address or phone number for a home care worker who has contracted with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide personal care or respite care services.

Summary of Bill:

The residential addresses and phone numbers of independent provider home care workers contracted with the state to provide personal care or respite care services are exempt from disclosure.

Independent provider home care workers are defined as a person, including a personal aide, who has contracted with the DSHS to provide personal or respite care services to functionally disabled persons under the medicaid personal care, community options program entry system, chore services program; or respite care program; or to provide respite care or residential services and support to persons with developmental disabilities, or to provide respite care for foster parents.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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