H-0317.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1194

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Pflug, Schual‑Berke, Parlette and Cody

Read first time 01/18/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Extending the due date for a report to the legislature concerning accreditation of licensed boarding homes.

    AN ACT Relating to a pilot project for third-party accreditation of boarding homes; and amending 1998 c 92 s 1 (uncodified).

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

    Sec. 1. 1998 c 92 s 1 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

    (1) The legislature recognizes the need to involve the boarding home industry, the consumers of assisted living and retirement services, the long-term care ombudsman, and state regulatory agencies in the collaborative process of developing standards and procedures for accreditation of licensed boarding homes.  As participants, consumers can help develop standards that more closely address their needs and make the accreditation of boarding home providers more meaningful to them when choosing among competitors.  Providers can maintain flexibility in the marketplace and more quickly recognize and respond to the changing needs of its client base.  Regulatory agencies can save money and remain assured that performance standards are high.  For these reasons, the legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the boarding home industry, boarding home consumers, and state regulatory agencies to support an industry-funded pilot program prior to changing or developing new standards for boarding home regulation.

    (2) A coalition of assisted living providers represented by state-wide assisted living professional trade associations, the long-term care ombudsman, state regulatory agencies, and consumer groups representing, but not limited to, the assisted living clientele such as the senior lobby, the American association of retired persons, and the alzheimer's association shall develop a plan for implementing a pilot program for the third-party accreditation of boarding homes licensed under RCW 18.20.020.  The assisted living third-party accreditation pilot project coalition shall remain active until December 12, 2001.  The pilot plan must be funded by the northwest assisted living ((federation of America)) facilities association.  Funds for conducting this plan may also be received from other individuals and organizations in accordance with state law and upon the approval of the northwest assisted living facilities association.  The plan shall review the overall feasibility of implementation, cost or savings to the regulating agency, impact on client health, safety, quality of care, quality of life, and financial and other impacts to the boarding home industry.  ((The)) Pilot third-party boarding home accreditation ((plan)) progress reports shall be presented to the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and the senate by January 4, 1999 and by January 4, 2000.  The final pilot third-party boarding home accreditation plan shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and the senate no later than December 12, 2001.

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