Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Higher Education Committee

HB 3039

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.

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

Sponsors: Representatives Kelley, McCune, Upthegrove, Kenney, Appleton, Crouse, Sells, Hasegawa, Green, Grant, Nelson, Loomis, Sullivan, Liias, Roberts, Simpson, Kagi and Morrell.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • If funds are provided, directs the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to allocate competitive grants to community college pilot sites for training of long-term care workers.
  • Appropriates $2 million dollars from the state building construction account and $400,000 from the general fund to the SBCTC for this purpose.

Hearing Date: 1/30/08

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:

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2008.

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