SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2344

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Health & Long Term Care, February 22, 2018

Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger, Harris, Hayes, Hudgins, Reeves, Macri, Jinkins and Appleton; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief Summary of Amended Bill

Requires residents who need assistance evacuating, have a bedroom on the floor of the home from which the resident can be evacuated to the designated safe location outside the home without the use of stairs, elevators, chairlifts, or platform lifts.
Requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) develop the related rules in consultation with the largest organization representing fire chiefs in the state and that the rules include requirements for initial licensing and annual fire marshal inspections.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Rivers, Ranking Member; Bailey, Becker, Conway, Fain, Keiser, Mullet and Van De Wege.

Background: An adult family home is a residential home that provides personal care, specialty care, necessary supervision, laundry, and room and board for up to six adults who need long-term care. Adult family homes are licensed by DSHS.

Adult family homes are required to ensure that all residents can be safely evacuated in an emergency and must develop a fire drill plan for emergency evacuation of residents. The home must be able to evacuate all residents from the home to a safe location in five minutes or less and nonambulatory residents are not allowed to live above the first floor of the home.

Summary of Amended Bill: Residents who need assistance evacuating the adult family home to a safe location outside of the home, must have a bedroom on the floor of the home from which the resident can be evacuated to the designated safe location outside the

home without the use of stairs, elevators, chairlifts, or platform lifts. As DSHS establishes the related rules, they must work in consultation with the largest organization representing fire chiefs in the state of Washington. The rules also must include requirements for annual fire marshal inspections and fire marshal inspects upon initial licensure.

EFFECT OF HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT(S):

Requires residents who need assistance evacuating, have a bedroom on the floor of the home from which the resident can be evacuated to the designated safe location outside the home without the use of stairs, elevators, chairlifts, or platform lifts.

Requires DSHS develop the related rules in consultation with the largest organization representing fire chiefs in the state and that the rules include requirements for initial licensing and annual fire marshal inspections.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on House Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This bill provides a technical correction to clarify confusion that currently exists around the "first floor" of the home. In current WACs, there are regulations for safe and fast evacuation. Homes have been denied licenses because of the first floor confusion and this helps clarify which rooms are licensable.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Candace Goehring, ALTSA/Residential Care Services; Alyssa Arley, Business Development and Compliance Specialist, A2z Elite Services.