ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 2100

          Allowing for a moratorium on new adult family home licenses.

Health Care Committee                         February 24, 1999

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives O=Brien and Cody.

BACKGROUND:  Faced with concerns about the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) ability to keep up with the increasing demand to inspect and license new adult family homes, the 1997 Legislature authorized the DSHS to establish a limited moratorium on the licensure of new adult family homes.  The moratorium was implemented in September of 1997.  The DSHS was given the ability to determine when it was safe to remove the moratorium and did so in September 1998.

Current law requires that adult family homes receive a license and inspection at least every eighteen months.  The DSHS is also required to license all new adult family homes that comply with adult family home license standards.

SUMMARY:  The DSHS is allowed to implement a moratorium on the issuance of new adult family home licenses if the number of adult family homes is beyond the departments ability to monitor the homes.  If the ratio of adult family homes to licensor exceeds the budget, the DSHS is allowed to issue a moratorium.

If the DSHS implements a moratorium, they will have the ability to limit licensure on a case by case basis using such criteria as geographic area, ethnic community, and client=s unique needs.  The DSHS is also given the ability to develop rules to implement the moratorium if it is established.