Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 2310

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 Description: Concerning safety equipment for individual providers.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Cody, Green, Van De Wege, Tharinger, Morrell, Johnson, Parker, Stonier, Reykdal, Jinkins and Kochmar.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Directs the Department of Social and Health Services to develop a methodology to provide gloves to individual providers to use while providing services to Medicaid clients.

Hearing Date: 1/30/14

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) provides publicly funded personal care services to eligible clients who live in their own home and are elderly or have developmental disabilities. Personal care services include assistance with various tasks such as toileting, bathing, dressing, ambulating, meal preparation, and household chores. There are two ways in which personal care services may be provided in the client's home: (1) by an individual provider; or (2) by an employee of a home care agency (agency provider). Individual providers are hired and supervised by the client they care for and are paid through a direct contract with the Department.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Social and Health Services must develop a methodology to provide personal protective equipment on a monthly basis to individual providers for use while providing services to Medicaid clients. The term "personal protective equipment" means both sterile and non-sterile gloves to protect against the potential transmission of infectious diseases through contact with bodily fluids.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.