HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2359
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:
April 18, 2009
Title: An act relating to delaying the implementation date for peer mentoring for long-term care workers.
Brief Description: Concerning delaying the implementation date for peer mentoring for long-term care workers.
Sponsors: Representative Cody.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Ways & Means: 4/16/09 [DP].
Floor Activity
Passed House: 4/18/09, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Seaquist and Sullivan.
Staff: Carma Matti (786-7140)
Background:
Various programs in the Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) Aging and Adult Services and Developmental Disabilities divisions provide personal care services to clients who are elderly or disabled and are eligible for publicly funded services. Personal care services include assistance with various tasks such as toileting, bathing, dressing, ambulating, meal preparation, and household chores. These services may be provided in the client's home by long-term care workers, who include individual providers contracting directly with the DSHS and employees of licensed home care agencies.
In 2007 legislation was enacted to address training opportunities for long-term care workers. The training opportunities included a peer mentoring system. Long-term care workers must be offered on-the-job training or peer mentorship for at least one hour per week in the first 90 days of work. The mentor must be a long-term care worker who has completed 12 hours of mentor training and is mentoring no more than 10 other workers. This peer mentoring requirement applies to long-term care workers who begin work on or after January 1, 2010.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement to offer on-the-job training or peer mentoring to long-term care workers begins July 1, 2011, instead of January 1, 2010.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on April 15, 2009.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The delay is reasonable and can be supported; however, peer mentoring is connected with the training in Initiative 1029. The bigger concerns are on how the other training components in the initiative are being handled in the budget. It would be good to work together on reasonable agreements that will allow the training requirements in the initiative to move forward.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Misha Werschknl, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare 775 Northwest.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.