Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) to use additional enforcement mechanisms for Certified Residential Service and Support Providers (CRSSP) including stop placement orders to ensure that providers comply with their obligations.
Provides that the DDA may impose a maximum penalty of $3,000 on a CRSSP.
Designates that any penalties be deposited into a residential services and support account that may only be used by the DDA to promote the quality of life and care of clients.

Background:

Certified Residential Services and Support Providers.

Certified Residential Service and Support Providers (CRSSPs) are certified by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and contracted by the DSHS to deliver client instruction and support services. These providers include group homes, supported living services, community protection programs, crisis diversion bed services, and group training homes. Service providers must provide each client instruction or support as identified in a client's individual support plan. The areas of support to the client may include:

home living activities;
community living activities;
life-long learning activities
social activities;
employment;
protection and advocacy activities;
exceptional medical support needs; and
exceptional behavioral support needs.

Enforcement Mechanisms for Certified Residential Services and Support Providers.

The current enforcement mechanisms are applied by the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) to community protection programs. These mechanisms include decertifying the provider, refusing to renew the certification, imposing conditions on certification, suspending referrals, or requiring the provider to implement a plan of correction. If community protection program providers fail to make the adjustments required by a plan of correction, the DDA may impose civil penalties up to $150 per day.

The Administrative Procedures Act applies to these enforcement actions.

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Summary of Bill:

The enforcement mechanisms that the DDA may impose on the CRSSPs are specified to apply to all the CRSSPs and not just community protection programs.

The conditions that the DDA may impose on a CRSSP are specified to include making corrections within a specific time, requiring training, and limits on the type of client the provider may serve. The DDA is also authorized to suspend the provider from accepting clients with specified needs by imposing a limited stop placement.

If the DDA orders a stop placement, the provider may not accept new clients, or clients with specific needs until that stop placement order is terminated. The DDA will terminate the stop placement order when the violations have been corrected and the provider exhibits the capacity to maintain correction of the violations.

After ordering a stop placement, the DDA shall make an on-site visit to the provider within 15 working days of the provider notifying the DDA that a correction was made. For serious violations, the DDA shall visit the provider as soon as appropriate to ensure correction. Verification of all other violations may be made either by a DDA on-site visit or by credible written or photographic documentation.

The fines that the DDA may impose on providers are reduced to a maximum of $100 per day per violation. The DDA may impose a maximum total violation amount of $3,000.

Providers have the right to an informal dispute resolution process to dispute any violation found or enforcement remedy imposed by the DDA. Except for imposition of civil penalties, the effective date of enforcement actions may not be delayed or suspended pending hearings or an informal dispute resolution process.

The DDA shall develop rules to implement these enforcement actions by January 1, 2016.

A separate residential services and support account is created and all receipts from civil penalties against a CRSSP must be deposited in this account. Expenditures from the account are authorized only for promoting the quality of life and care of a CRSSP client.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a reasonable bill that provides the DDA more enforcement mechanisms. This bill was initially proposed as House Bill 2634 in 2014 and passed the house with a 98-0 vote. This bill is aligned with the mission of the DDA. The DDA currently has limited enforcement actions. The only current enforcement mechanisms are decertification or delayed certification. This bill provides graduated enforcement mechanisms. This bill provides an array of enforcement actions including stop placement orders, civil penalties, and the creation of an account for penalty deposit. The bill will encourage the CRSSPs to comply with requirements, and services will be less likely to be disrupted. The enforcement actions included in the bill align with the enforcement actions in similar programs, and allow a broader array of responses. There was a finding in a disability rights report that the DDA was not able to respond appropriately to violations. This bill addresses those concerns. In implementing the enforcement mechanisms, the DDA will comply with the residential service standards. This is in a context of a real crisis for CRSSP funding. There is some concern regarding the fines, but we think that these are appropriate. If fines are too onerous for a provider and there is another mechanism for ensuring compliance, the DDA will likely use the alternate response. Currently, there is basically only one remedy, which is decertification. By providing more enforcement options, there may be greater chances for the CRSSPs to remain open. There need to be a variety of enforcement mechanisms. This bill highlights accountability and transparency in services that are supported by public dollars. In the world of supported living, there is only the nuclear option if you have a bad actor. Many of the providers are doing a great job, but there may be a few bad actors, which the bill would address. This bill brings supported living in line with the enforcement mechanisms available for adult family homes and nursing homes. There is currently an informal dispute resolution process in place for CRSSPs.

(Neutral) The safety of the CRSSP clients is the most important goal. The fine component of the bill is concerning. CRSSPs have a high turnover rate and are dealing with reduced funding. The fines included in this bill may make it more difficult for these providers and lead to a reduction in providers. The stop placements are also a concern that could jeopardize a field that is already under-resourced.

(Opposed) None.