H-4628

AN ACT Relating to the creation of the adult family home advisory council; and adding new sections to chapter 70.128 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The governor shall appoint an adult family advisory council. The council shall be comprised of:

(1) One adult family home owner from each department of social and health services region;

(2) Three adult family home residents or a member of their immediate family;

(3) One area agency on aging representative, to be a nonvoting member;

(4) The director of the department of social and health services division of developmental disabilities or his or her designee, to be a nonvoting member;

(5) The director of the department of social and health services mental health division or his or her designee, to be a nonvoting member;

(6) One department of social and health services adult family home licensor, to be a nonvoting member;

(7) The state long-term care ombudsman or his or her designee;

(8) One member representing the developmental disabilities planning council;

(9) One member representing the state's protection and advocacy program; and

(10) The governor may select from lists provided by interested organizations and individuals, four members from the general public, one each representing the traumatically brain injured, the mentally ill, persons with alzheimer and other related dementias, and persons with AIDS.

Each member shall hold office for a term of four years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term and the terms of office of the members first taking office shall expire, as designated at the time of appointment. The terms of appointment shall be the following: Two at the end of the first year, three at the end of the second year, three at the end of the third year, and two at the end of the fourth year after the date of appointment. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for three years. The chair of the council shall be appointed by the members of the council, however the chair shall not be a representative of any agency within state government. It shall be the duty of the chair to call a meeting of the council. The council shall meet not less than quarterly each year, however may meet more frequently as the chair deems necessary and upon the formal written request of no less than six members. Each member of the council shall receive travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.060. All adult family home council members shall be appointed no less than six months after the effective date of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The adult family home advisory council shall:

(1) Consult with the legislature and the department of social and health services in all matters of policy affecting administration of adult family homes, and in development of all rules and regulations pertaining to adult family homes;

(2) Review and make recommendations with respect to rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to nursing homes prior to their adoption and promulgation by the department; and

(3) Provide recommendations to the secretary of the department of social and health services and the legislature on ways in which the adult family home industry can increase the utilization of the program by private and state clients, improve and maintain health and safety standards, improve the quality of life and the quality of resident care, establish appropriate uniform adult family home owner training, and other issues that the council finds appropriate and beneficial for the adult family home program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 70.128 RCW.