HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1447
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to temporary management in boarding homes.
Brief Description: Providing for temporary management in boarding homes.
Sponsors: Representative Morrell.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/7/07, 2/8/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, Curtis, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
When the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) summarily suspends the
license of a nursing home or an adult family home, a temporary management program may be
instituted to minimize the dislocation and transfer trauma of residents while the Department
and licensee pursue dispute resolution or appeal of a summary suspension of license. This
option is not available when the Department summarily suspends a Board Home license.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is authorized to appoint a
temporary manager of a boarding home when the Department suspends a boarding home
license due to situations where the health, safety, or welfare of residents is at immediate risk.
The Department is authorized to recruit, approve, and appoint qualified individuals,
partnerships, corporations, and other entities interested in serving as a temporary manager of
a boarding home. The Department's authority to approve and appoint temporary managers of
a boarding home is discretionary and is not subject to the Administrative Procedures Act.
The Department will terminate the temporary management of the boarding home after 60
days unless good cause is shown to continue the temporary management. The Department's
decision to approve or revoke a temporary management arrangement is not subject to the
Administrative Procedures Act. A Boarding Home Temporary Management Account
(Account) is created in the custody of the State Treasurer. All civil fines related to boarding
homes will be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the Account will be used to
protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in boarding homes found to be deficient.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This tool works well for nursing homes and adult family homes. It lessens
trauma for residents, and should be available when the Department needs to suspend a
boarding home license.
(Concerns) Fines alone may not be sufficient to fund temporary managers of boarding homes.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Morrell, prime sponsor; and Louise Ryan,
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
(Concerns) Joyce Stockwell, Department of Social and Health Services.