SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2990

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 27, 1998

Title:  An act relating to a pilot project for third‑party accreditation of boarding homes.

Brief Description:  Creating a pilot project for third‑party accreditation of boarding homes.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Backlund and Anderson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/24/98, 2/27/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Benton, Franklin, Strannigan and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Boarding homes are care facilities usually ranging in size from 10-60 residents.  Boarding homes offer room, board, and personal care or nursing services.  Boarding homes are licensed, regulated and inspected by the Department of Health (DOH).  There are over 400 boarding homes currently in the state with approximately 16,000 residents.  Of this total, only 13 percent of the residents have their care paid by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  The remainder of boarding home residents pay for their care from their own resources.

DOH conducts its comprehensive licensing inspection approximately every 12 months and also responds to individual complaints concerning residents= care or the facility.  If a violation is found to have occurred, DOH has the authority to take actions such as consultations, placing conditions on a license, more staff training, stopping admissions, fines, and closing a facility.

Summary of Bill:  A coalition of assisted living providers, long-term care consumer groups, and state regulatory agencies are required to develop a plan for implementing a pilot program for implementing the third party accreditation of boarding homes.   The pilot plan is required to review the overall feasibility of implementing a pilot program, indicate the cost savings to the state, the impact on the quality of care, quality of life, and the impact on the boarding home industry.  The plan must be submitted to the Legislature by January 4, 1999.  The Assisted Living Federation of America is required to provide funding for the pilot plan.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This offers the opportunity to raise standards and encourage innovation in this industry.  There needs to be a uniform set of standards for all board homes.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Lauri St. Ours, Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association.