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 Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education
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: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Carrell, Hobbs, Shin, Roach, Kohl-Welles, Marr, McAuliffe, Rasmussen and Benton).
Brief History:
Higher Education: 2/21/08, 2/25/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
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.
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).
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 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.
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) 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.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Kilmer, prime sponsor; Livia Lam, Service
Employees International Union; and Travis Kibota, Clark College.
(With concerns) David Lord, Disability Rights Washington.