HOUSE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1935

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.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health & Human Services Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Walsh, Cody, Orwall, Kenney, Bailey, Miloscia, Green, Kelley and Williams).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/12/09, 2/20/09 [DPS];

Health & Human Services Appropriations: 2/25/09, 2/26/09 [DP2S(w/o sub HCW)].

Floor Activity

Passed House: 3/10/09, 68-28.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/9/09, 39-8.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill

Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to establish a specialty license recognizing adult family home operators who successfully complete the program at the University of Washington School of Nursing.
Requires restrictive covenants to be updated to take into consideration legislative findings with regard to the public interest aspects that underlie adult family homes.
Prohibits restrictive covenants and governing documents of homeowners’ associations from limiting persons or legal entities from operating licensed adult family homes or from prohibiting persons with disabilities from living in a licensed adult family home.
Sets the licensing and renewal fees for adult family homes in the biennial operating budget.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Driscoll, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Herrera, Hinkle, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Health Care & Wellness. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Pettigrew, Chair; Seaquist, Vice Chair; Appleton, Cody, Dickerson, Miloscia, Morrell, O'Brien, Roberts and Wood.

Background:

Adult Family Homes are facilities that provide residential care and treatment for up to six individuals. They are typically located in residential neighborhoods. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is following a policy of meeting the residential care needs of clients in facilities with a home-like setting. As the elderly population increases, there will be a need for additional residential facilities in residential areas. The Legislature authorized the University of Washington through the School of Nursing to offer a geriatric certification and testing program for adult family home operators through a budget proviso in the biennial operating budget. The role of the DSHS in recognizing adult family home operators who successfully complete the program at the School of Nursing was not clearly defined. The licensing and renewal fees for adult family homes are set in statute at $50.

Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill:

The DSHS will establish a specialty license recognizing adult family home operators who successfully complete the program at the School of Nursing. Restrictive covenants that have the effect of limiting the ability of people with disabilities to live in the residence of their choice, including adult family homes, are void. The $50 licensing and renewal fees for adult family homes are deleted, and the amount will be set in the biennial operating budget.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

Provides that restrictive covenants may establish reasonable nondiscriminatory regulations that apply to adult family homes related to landscaping standards and sign location or size. Does not permit adult family home licensing fees to be set in the biennial operating budget. Continues adult family home licensing fees at $50 per year.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Health Care & Wellness):

(In support) Many people with disabilities are discriminated against because restrictive covenants prohibit them from living in an adult family home in residential neighborhoods. The Legislature established a special training program at the University of Washington School of Nursing for adult family home providers, but did not provide a mechanism for the DSHS to establish a specialty license recognizing providers who successfully complete the program.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Health & Human Services Appropriations):

(In support) There have been many instances where homeowners’ associations have attacked adult family home owners and have caused a lot of grief for the owners as well as stress for the seniors living in the home. It is time to codify in state law that which already exists in federal law to prevent these kinds of actions from happening. Adult family home owners have spent thousands of dollars defending their clients’ rights to live in their neighborhoods. Adult family home owners have been taking the certification program at the University of Washington for two years and have found it to be a great asset. The course allows adult family homes to step up their professionalism. When getting an initial license, owners pay $100 in Washington. Similar licenses in other states are over $1,000 so there is no objection to increasing the initial licensing fee.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): Representative Morrell, prime sponsor; Dan Simnioniw, Washington State Residential Care Coalition; Bonnie Bruce, Clark County Adult Family Home Association; and Louise Ryan, Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Persons Testifying (Health & Human Services Appropriations): Dan Simnioniw, Washington State Residential Care Council; Bonnie Bruce, Clark County Adult Family Home Association; and Louise Ryan, Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.