Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Committee |
SSB 5014
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: Calculating the benchmark rate for certain community residential services.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pearson, Hobbs and Chase).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/15/17
Staff: Mary Mulholland (786-7391).
Background:
Community Residential Service Businesses.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) provides community residential services for clients who meet Medicaid functional and financial eligibility requirements. A "community residential service business" means a business that is certified by and contracted with DSHS DDA to provide instruction and support to DDA clients. Community residential businesses include supported living, which serves up to four clients living in homes that are owned, rented, or leased by the clients or their legal representatives.
Community residential services may include assistance with activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and eating), instrumental activities of daily living (such as meal preparation and ordinary housework), and habilitation services. Depending on client need, services can range from a few hours per month to 24 hours per day. The client capacity for community residential services is determined by legislative appropriation.
Community Residential Rates.
Rates paid to community residential service businesses are determined for each individual DDA client based upon the number of direct care staff hours needed to meet the client's assessed needs. Staff hours are paid at a pre-determined benchmark rate specific to three county categories:
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA);
Non-MSAs; and
King County.
The DDA currently places the following counties under the MSA classification: Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, Island, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties.
Summary of Bill:
The DSHS must use the King County classification when determining the direct care staff hourly rate for community residential service businesses in Snohomish County.
The act contains a null and void clause, making it null and void unless specifically funded in the operating budget by June 30, 2017.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.