SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 697

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Brooks, Braddock, Sprenkle, Lux, P. King and Doty; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Revising provisions on long-term care ombudsmen.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                April 1, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1983 the Legislature established within the Department of Social and Health Services a long-term care ombudsman program to effectively assist residents of long-term care facilities in the assertion of their rights and investigate and resolve complaints.  In 1986 the Department appointed a task force to study and make recommendations on the ombudsman program.

One of those recommendations is for the Legislative Budget Committee to conduct a study on the appropriateness of the placement of the ombudsman's office within the department.  Other recommendations include making the ombudsman an exempt position under the State Civil Service Law, and authorizing citizen volunteers to engage in fact-finding activities.  Currently, volunteers cannot be used for complaint investigation or problem resolution activities.  The position of the ombudsman is classified under the State Civil Service Law.

SUMMARY:

The Legislative Budget Committee is to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of the long-term care ombudsman program, and include an analysis of the appropriateness of the placement of the office, either within the Department of Social and Health Services, another state agency or as an independent agency.  The study is to also address the appropriateness of the exempt status from the civil service law for the ombudsman position.  The report is due by December 1, 1987.

The role of the volunteer ombudsman is clarified to identify and resolve problems in long-term care facilities and engage in fact-finding activities to determine if formal complaints should be made.  Volunteers cannot be used for actual complaint investigations.

Fiscal Note:    available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified:   Elizabeth Springer, Coalition for Advocacy and Protection of LTC Persons; Norm Taylor, Seattle-King County Long-Term Care Ombudsman; Sharon Park, Senior Lobby; Steve Maag, WHCA; Fred Mills, AARP