FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 1677

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:

Adult family homes are residential homes licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. These homes provide their residents with room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services.

The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) licenses adult family homes. The Department's licensing functions include processing applications for new providers, performing inspections, conducting complaint investigations, and administering enforcement actions if resolution is not met.

Adult family home operators who wish to operate a second adult family home must wait at least 24 months from the issuance of the first license and not have had a Department enforcement action against that adult family home in the 24 months prior to application. For subsequent applications, an adult family home operator must wait at least 12 months from the issuance of the previous adult family home license and not have had a Department enforcement action against any of their homes during the 12 months prior to application.

Summary:

The requirement that an applicant for a license to operate more than two adult family homes wait at least 12 months from the issuance of the previous license does not apply if the application is due to a change in ownership of existing adult family homes that are currently licensed. The exception applies as long as there has not been a Department of Social and Health Services enforcement action against the applicant's currently licensed adult family homes during the 12 months prior to application.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	97	0
Senate	46	1