SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6403

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 Amended by House, March 1, 2012

Title: An act relating to removing financial barriers to persons seeking vulnerable adult protection orders.

Brief Description: Removing financial barriers to persons seeking vulnerable adult protection orders.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senator Regala).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/02/12 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/14/12, 47-0.Passed House: 3/01/12, 97-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6403 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Frockt, Kline, Parlette, Pflug and Pridemore.

Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)

Background: A vulnerable adult is a person who is 60 years of age or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself; has been found to be incapacitated; has a developmental disability; has been admitted to a facility such as a nursing home, boarding home, or adult family home; or receives services from home health, hospice or home care agencies, or an individual provider. A vulnerable adult may seek relief from abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect by filing a petition for an order for protection in superior court in the county where the vulnerable adult resides. No filing fee may be charged to a vulnerable adult for filing such a petition; standard forms and written instructions must be provided free of charge.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A public agency may not charge a filing fee or a fee for service of process to a vulnerable adult seeking relief from abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. Vulnerable adults must be provided the necessary number of certified copies at no cost.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Public agencies want to be able to provide these protection orders without a fee. Local governments want to waive fees and it will not result in costs to these local governments; in Pierce County this should cost less than $500 a year.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Craig Adams, Pierce County Sheriff; James McMahan, WA Assn. of County Officials.

House Amendment(s): Restates that a public agency may not charge a fee for service or certified copies of vulnerable adult protection orders in the statute regarding execution of vulnerable adult protection orders.