SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5842

BYSenators Lee, Murray, Cantu, Niemi and Craswell

Excluding certain institutions from the boarding home definition.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989; February 24, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

                  March 16, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 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:

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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Karen Tynes, Washington Association of Homes for the Aging (pro); Raymond Westeren, Judson Park (pro); Cal Groenenberg, Eunice Allen, Wesley Homes (pro); Richard Milson, The Hearthstone (pro); Bliss Moore, Department of Social and Health Services