HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5797
As Passed House - Amended:
March 2, 2004
Title: An act relating to the timing of the inspection of adult family homes.
Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to inspect adult family homes at least every twenty-four months.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette and Brandland).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/19/04, 2/24/04 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 3/2/04, 94-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
• The Department of Social and Health Services may inspect adult family homes every 24 months, if they have had three consecutive inspections without a citation or a written notice of violations from complaint investigations in the same time period. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Benson, Clibborn, Darneille, Moeller, Rodne and Schual-Berke.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
Adult family homes provide room, board, and care to elderly and disabled individuals statewide. Currently, there are 2,083 licensed adult family homes providing care to 11,000 individuals, 3,274 of whom are Medicaid clients. These homes are licensed to care for up to six unrelated individuals, and they are regulated by the Department of Social and Health Services (Department). State law currently requires that the Department conduct inspections at least every 18 months, subject to funding.
Summary of Amended Bill:
The Department is authorized to conduct inspections of adult family homes every 24 months in homes that have had three consecutive inspections without any citations or a written notice of violation resulting from complaint investigations in the same time period.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: State regulators should focus limited resources on facilities that are having problems and give good facilities a break.
Testimony Against: Written notices of violations resulting from complaint investigations should also be considered before extending the inspection cycle.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Aaron Mountain, Washington State Residential Care Association.
(Opposed) Pat Lashway, Department of Social and Health Services; and Hilke Faber, Resident Councils of Washington.
(Concerns) Kary Hyre, Long-term Care Ombudsman.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.