SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6637
As Passed Senate, February 14, 2006
Title: An act relating to qualifications for adult family home providers.
Brief Description: Concerning qualifications for adult family home providers.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser and Deccio.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/19/06, 1/30/06 [DP].
Passed Senate: 2/14/06, 46-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Brandland, Franklin, Johnson, Kastama, Kline and Parlette.
Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)
Background: Adult family homes are licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. Adult family homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, assistance
with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services if necessary. The Department
of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is responsible for licensing adult family homes.
Prior to becoming an adult family home provider, a person must meet minimum qualifications
enumerated in statute including specific education, age, and character requirements. Additionally,
a person seeking to become a provider must satisfactorily complete DSHS approved basic training
and continuing education training as specified by rule.
Summary of Bill: Prior to being granted a license, a provider applying for an adult family license after July 1, 2006, must complete a Department of Social and Health Services' approved 48 hour adult family home administration and business planning class.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Currently, this additional training class is only required for persons seeking to manage more than one adult family home. The information provided in the class is vital to running a successful business as well as a well-managed adult family home. The class should be required for everyone seeking a license.
Testimony Against: None.
Who Testified: PRO: Terry Kohl, Washington State Residential Care Council; Terry Gamage,
Washington State Residential Care Council.
House Amendment(s): The House amendment directs DSHS to promote and prioritize bilingual training within available resources. The requirement that adult family home providers take an administration and business planning class is delayed for six months to January 1, 2007.