ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 2380

Clarifying the authority of the department of social and health services

                   concerning boarding homes.

Health Care Committee                          January 23, 2000

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Cody and Parlette.

BACKGROUND:  Based in part on a series of reports by the Washington State Long-term Care Ombudsman that documented significant concerns with administrative oversight of the boarding home complaint investigation process, the 1998 Legislature transferred responsibility for all boarding home quality assurance activities, including licensing, technical assistance, and complaint investigation/resolution from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  The transfer is set to expire on July 1, 2000 unless reauthorized by the Legislature.

The 1998 Washington State Legislature established a Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Long-term Care.  One of the twelve specific duties of the Task Force was to evaluate the success of the boarding home program transfer, and to determine whether additional changes should be made.  The Task Force established a stakeholders subcommittee made up of consumers, advocates, providers, and the DSHS.  The Task Force recommended that Athe boarding home oversight program should remain with the DSHS."

SUMMARY:  The authorization requiring the transfer of the authority to administer boarding homes back to the Department of Health (DOH) by July 1, 2000 is removed.  The authority to administer boarding home quality assurance activities, including licensing, technical assistance, and complaint investigation/resolution is maintained within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

Technical housekeeping changes are made.