FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5547
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. |
C 312 L 09
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning respite care.
Sponsors: Senators Hargrove, Pflug, McAuliffe, Oemig, Marr, Fairley, Kauffman, Franklin, Parlette, Carrell, Haugen, Kilmer, Jarrett, Pridemore, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Regala and Keiser.
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
House Committee on Human Services
Background: The state's Division of Developmental Disabilities provides funding to certain eligible families for support services, enabling them to remain long-term caregivers for developmentally disabled family members. These services include respite care, therapies, adaptive equipment, counseling, and training. In January 2007 the Department of Social and Health Services released a report on family support recommending consolidation of services, a new assessment tool, and a different prioritizing system. Legislation enacted in 2008 created the Individual and Family Service Program which implements some of these recommendations.
Summary: Clarification is made that respite services provided under the Individual and Family Service Program are available to any family member who resides with and is the primary care provider to the person with developmental disabilities.
The Department of Social and Health Services must provide respite care services based on its assessment of a parent who provides personal care services to that parent's adult son or daughter, or a family member who replaces the parent as a caregiver.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 43 | 0 | |
House | 97 | 0 | (House amended) |
Senate | 48 | 0 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | July 26, 2009 |