SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1851

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Zellinsky, Leonard, Ballard, Scott, Patrick, Braddock, S. Wilson, Cole, Grimm, Locke, Brooks, D. Sommers, Moyer, Grant, K. Wilson, Sprenkle, Rust, Dorn, Cooper, Rasmussen, Jones, Meyers, Sutherland, Nutley, Spanel, Appelwick, Lux, Fuhrman, Pruitt, Hine, Nealey, Ebersole, Brekke, Todd, Nelson, Cantwell, B. Williams, Miller, H. Sommers, Rayburn, Anderson, Butterfield, Winsley, Schoon, Silver, Sanders, Basich, Dellwo, Brough and O'Brien

Removing age restrictions for certain state residential schools.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988; February 25, 1988; February 26, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Smith, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  February 29, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 29, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Deccio, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Saling, Talmadge, Williams.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7438)

                  February 29, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 29, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The need for state residential schools for the developmentally disabled who are exceptional in their care, treatment, and education requirements is defined by law.  Frances Haddon Morgan is the only center where the word "Children's" appears in the formal title and thus the only center where an age restriction is placed upon the residents.  This age restriction is not in statute or in rule but promulgated through the Department of Social and Health Services written policies.

At one time the upper age limit was fourteen.  Currently that age limit is twenty-one.  Some of the reason for this is the relative newness of treating the autistic population and the evolving knowledge about its developmental course as children suffering from this disability grow older.  When the center was founded as the state's institution serving the autistic population, its residents were all children.  Over the years that population has aged as the younger children suffering from autism receive more services in the community.  The majority of residents at the center are now teenagers.  The state does not have a specialized program for autism outside of the center and residents who reach the age of twenty-one are discharged when they may still require the intensive care and treatment only available at the center.

SUMMARY:

The word "Children's" is stricken from the formal title of Frances Haddon Morgan Center.  No age restrictions shall be placed on eligibility for care at any of the state residential habilitation centers.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

No age restrictions shall be placed on eligibility for care at any state residential center for a period of one year.  In addition, the Department of Social and Health Services is required to report to the Legislature by January 1, 1989 regarding the impact of the age restriction limit on the Frances Haddon Morgan Center.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS:  Bessie Clark, FHMCC Parents (for); Mark Kartes, FHMCC Parents (for); C.E. Mangin, FHMCC Parents (for); Steve Schain, Washington Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities (for); Sue Elliot, DSHS (against)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  C.E. Mangin, FHMCC Parents (for); Steve Schain, Washington Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities (for); Sue Elliot, DSHS