HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2824

As Passed House:

February 14, 2002

Title:  An act relating to conflict of interest provisions for the long‑term care ombudsman program.

Brief Description:  Revising conflict of interest provisions for the long‑term care ombudsman program.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Skinner, Edwards and Chase.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/8/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/02, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Long-term care ombudsmen cannot have been employed in a long-term care facility or a governmental agency that regulates long-term care facilities within the past year.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Benson, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

Long-term care ombudsmen cannot have been employed in a long-term care facility or have had a pecunity interest in a long-term care facility within the past three years.  There is no period of ineligibility for a person who was employed in a governmental position involving licensing, certification, or regulation from becoming a long-term care ombudsman.

Summary of Bill:

A period of ineligibility of one year is established for individuals interested in becoming a long-term care ombudsman if they (1) were employed or involved in the management of a long-term care facility; (2) were employed in a governmental position involving licensing, certification, or regulation of long-term care facilities; or (3) had a significant ownership or investment interest in a long-term care facility.  A long-term care ombudsman is prohibited from being assigned to a long-term care facility if they have an immediate family member living there.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will provide consistency and uniformity for individuals wishing to become long-term care ombudsmen.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Kary Hyre, Long-term Care Ombudsman; and Pat Lashway, Department of Social and Health Services.