HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5842

BYSenators Lee, Murray, Cantu, Niemi and Craswell

Excluding certain institutions from the boarding home definition.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Sprenkle, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:Antonio Sanchez (786-7383)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington regulates senior dependent care housing.  Regulation by the Department of Social and Health Services is to ensure that health and safety standards are met.  Regulation by the Department of Community Development is to ensure that fire standards are met.  Independent senior housing is not currently regulated except when independent units are intermixed with dependent care units.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED: The definition of a boarding home is amended in the boarding home regulation statute.  Independent senior housing and independent living units in retirement communities, including those subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, are not subject to boarding home licensing and regulatory requirements.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED BILL: Only training centers and group homes are exempt from boarding home licensure and are required to meet local health and safety standards as established by local health and fire safety authorities.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bliss Moore, Department of Social and Health Services (with changes); Karen Tynes, Washington Association of Homes for the Aging (with changes).

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Residents of continuing care retirement communities will be allowed to maintain their independence and freedom of choice.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.