FINAL 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.

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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	97	0
Senate	48	0