Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
E2SSB 5243
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 services provided by residential habilitation centers.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, King, Keiser, Conway and Chase).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/17/15
Staff: Ashley Paintner (786-7120).
Background:
The Developmental Disabilities Administration within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides support and services to persons with developmental disabilities. Services include case management, needs assessments, support in activities of daily living, employment, and rehabilitative therapies. The DSHS also provides medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to persons with developmental disabilities. Services may be provided in three different service settings: in the client's own home; in a community residential home; or in a Residential Habilitation Center (RHC). The state operates four RHCs which are established in statute to provide services and housing for persons with developmental disabilities: Rainier School in Buckley; Lakeland Village in Medical Lake; Fircrest School in Shoreline; and Yakima Valley School (YVS) in Selah. The Francis Haddon Morgan RHC was closed on December 31, 2011.
The YVS was designated as a Nursing Facility in 1994. Currently about 230 direct care and support staff provide 24-hour nursing care, a full spectrum of clinical and therapeutic programs, and recreation and activities to about 69 permanent residents and 41 short-term admissions. YVS also offers planned respite services, which include medical, nursing, dental, therapeutic, dietary, psychiatric, and recreation programs. Beginning on August 24, 2011, new admissions, other than short-term respite or crisis stabilization services, have not been permitted to the YVS. The YVS is scheduled to close when the number of permanent residents reaches 16 people.
Summary of Bill:
The YVS will operate as a RHC indefinitely and will no longer be required to close when the census of permanent residents reaches 16 persons. Additionally, the YVS will no longer be required to carry out the closure plan, which included converting at least two cottages to state-operated living alternatives. The YVS must operate crisis stabilization beds and respite service beds as the capacity of the YVS allows and as the needs of the community require, subject to the amounts appropriated for this specific purpose. These crisis stabilization beds and respite beds will no longer be limited in number to the 2011 bed capacity.
The YVS will continue to operate under the restriction on long-term resident admissions, with no new long-term admissions permitted. The existing requirement that the DSHS establish state-operated living alternatives must be carried out with funds specifically provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. The DSHS must continue to provide respite services in RHCs and continue to develop respite care in the community.
The references to the now-closed Francis Haddon Morgan RHC are removed from statute.
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.