Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 1782

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Creates the Walla Walla Veterans Home as a branch of the Washington Soldiers' Home.
Allows admission to the state veterans' homes for parents whose children died while serving in the armed forces.
Removes the indigency eligibility requirement for admission to the state veterans' homes.

Background:

The State Constitution mandates that the Legislature provide a soldier's home for honorably discharged resident soldiers, sailors, and marines who were disabled while in the line of duty. In 1890 Legislature created the Washington Soldier's Home in Orting. In 1907 the Legislature established a branch of the Washington Soldier's Home in Retsil, called the Washington Veterans' Home. In 2001 the Legislature established another branch in Spokane, called the Eastern Washington Veteran's Home.

The Washington Soldier's Home, Veterans' Home and Eastern Washington Veterans Home (collectively the state veterans' homes) are managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department). The Department must provide maintenance to residents, including room and board, medical, dental, domiciliary and nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, and recreational activities.

Certain qualifying veterans are eligible for admission to the state veterans' homes if they are state residents and are indigent and unable to support themselves or their families. Spouses and domestic partners of qualifying veterans also are eligible for admission, as well as spouses and domestic partners of veterans who died and were residents or eligible for admission at the time of death.

Summary of Bill:

The Walla Walla Veterans' Home is established as a branch of the Washington Soldiers' Home. Applicants do not have to be indigent to be eligible for admission in the state veterans' homes. Parents whose children died while serving in the armed forces are eligible for admission to the state veterans' homes. Domiciliary and nursing care may be provided at the state veterans' homes.