SSB 6804

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6804

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 Passed House - Amended:
March 6, 2008

Title: An act relating to capital grants for integrated long-term care worker training labs in the community and technical college system.

Brief Description: Providing grants to community colleges for long-term care worker training.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Carrell, Hobbs, Shin, Roach, Kohl-Welles, Marr, McAuliffe, Rasmussen and Benton).

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Hankins, Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire, Roberts, Schmick and Sommers.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Anderson, Ranking Minority Member.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Fromhold, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Blake, Chase, Eickmeyer, Flannigan, Hankins, Hasegawa, Kelley, McCune, Orcutt, Pearson, Pedersen, Sells, Skinner and Smith.

Background:

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has general supervision and control over the state's system of community and technical colleges. There are 34 community and technical colleges in Washington. Many include some sort of health care education program and facility.

The aging of the population and advanced medical technology have resulted in a growing number of persons who require assistance. In recognition of the growing need for such assistance, as well as the vulnerability and dependence of the persons in need of care, the Legislature in 2000 required the establishment of training standards for long-term care providers who contract with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide such care. Set forth in rules adopted by the Home Care Quality Authority are orientation, training, and continuing education requirements for these workers.

Individual home care workers have collective bargaining rights under the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act and are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Subject to funding, the SBCTC, in consultation with the exclusive bargaining representative of the individual workers, must allocate competitive capital grants to up to four community college pilot sites for the delivery of training required for long-term care providers contracting with the DSHS. These funds must be used to renovate or expand existing community college facilities or to acquire land and facilities to accommodate programs that simulate home and community-like long-term care settings.

Only community colleges in counties with a population of 200,000 or more are eligible for the pilot program. There are eight such counties: Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Yakima. Priority consideration must be given to community college applicants that already have an allied health care program and can demonstrate tangible commitment to the program by business or other community partners.

The pilot program expires July 1, 2015. By December 1, 2014, the SBCTC must file a report with the Legislature that includes the number of long-term care workers trained prior and subsequent to a college's participation in the pilot and the duration or extent of such training. The report must also include information on tangible commitments to each pilot site by community and business partners, and other information associated with use of the grant monies.

If the bill is not referenced in either the operating budget or capital budget by June 30, 2008, the act becomes null and void.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Higher Education)

(In support) The population is aging and, as a result of this, the need for skilled workers to provide long-term care is increasing. By 2030 the baby boomers, who constitute one in five of Americans, will range from 66 to 84 years old. Persons with disabilities, young and old, also need in-home care. There has been a shift toward long-term, in-home care and there is a need for more trained workers as well as new models of care. Certificate programs which provide training for home health workers should articulate with other health care programs so that these workers can move up the career ladder. There is a need for $2 million in capital funds and $400,000 in operating funds in order to renovate, expand, and equip labs which look less like hospitals and more like the homes and community settings in which the population will be living and needing home-health care assistance.

(With concerns) When structuring home-health care assistance, people with disabilities should be consulted and involved.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Capital Budget)

(In support) While the United States is facing unprecedented growth in the aging population, there is a shortage of long-term health care workers. In this health care field, there is very high turnover and low levels of training. With an aging baby boomer population, a movement to new models of care, and workforce shortages of trained workers, the emergent care gap will accelerate unless the state addresses the demand for trained workers in home care settings. The SBCTC is ready to begin the process of identifying up to four pilot sites for long-term care worker training. The pilot program will provide opportunities to improve the experience and skill level of this growing segment of our workforce. Improving the consistency and content of the certificate program is vital to this legislation, as well as coordination with existing allied health programs.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Higher Education) (In support) Senator Kilmer, prime sponsor; Livia Lam, Service Employees International Union; and Travis Kibota, Clark College.

(With concerns) David Lord, Disability Rights Washington.

Persons Testifying: (Capital Budget) Livia Lam, Service Employees International Union; Tom Henderson, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and Nora Kelley, Edmonds Community College.