| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Higher Education Committee | |
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.
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 Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/21/2008
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: Requested on February 14, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.