Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 2381
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: Allowing certain adult family homes to increase capacity to eight beds.
Sponsors: Representatives Macri, Cody, Tarleton, Santos, Johnson, McBride, Muri, Tharinger, Robinson, Valdez, Stanford, Reeves, Appleton, Harris and Stonier.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/16/18
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Adult family homes are community-based facilities licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. These homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services.
Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services and must meet facility standards as well as training requirements for resident managers and caregivers. An adult family home may only admit residents whose needs and preferences the home is able to meet through available staff and reasonable accommodations. Each resident must receive identified care and services in a manner and environment that supports, maintains, or improves the resident's quality of life. The services must be provided by appropriate professionals based upon the resident's assessment and negotiated care plan.
Summary of Bill:
An adult family home provider may increase the home's bed capacity to seven or eight beds. A provider may apply for a license to operate with seven or eight beds if:
the provider has held the initial adult family home license for at least 24 months;
the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) has not taken an enforcement action against any of the provider's currently licensed homes in the previous 24 months;
the home has been licensed for six residents for at least 12 months;
the provider attests that an increase will not adversely affect the health, safety, or quality of life of the home's current residents; and
the provider has paid any required fees.
The increase in bed capacity is permissible if the provider demonstrates financial solvency and management experience for the home. In addition, the provider must be able to meet safety, health, and operating standards related to the operation of an eight bed adult family home, including the mitigation of potential traffic impacts. The Department may conduct an inspection of the home prior to issuing a license to determine if the home is able to meet the needs of eight residents. The Department may reduce the maximum number of beds to six if there has been serious noncompliance with licensing standards.
An adult family home that applies for an increase in capacity up to eight beds must notify all residents and their designated guardians about the increase at least 30 days prior to admitting a seventh resident.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.