SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1694

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to the timing of the inspection of boarding homes.

Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to inspect boarding homes at least every eighteen months.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Skinner, Clibborn and Dickerson; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 4/1/03, 4/2/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser and Parlette.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: There are 526 licensed boarding homes in this state. Under current law, the Department of Social and Health services is required to inspect every one annually. These inspections are supposed to be unannounced to ensure that the conditions being inspected reflect normal activity. Due to staffing limitations and the number of boarding homes, most inspections are conducted on a predictable schedule. The department seeks to extend the required time period between inspections to allow more time to be available for urgent and crisis situations, and to increase its ability to conduct unannounced visits.

Summary of Amended Bill: The inspection cycle for boarding homes is changed from annually to at least every 24 months.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The original bill set the inspection schedule at every 18 months, with a 12-month average.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: (original bill) This allows the department more flexibility to inspect poorly functioning homes.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Ruth Shearer, RCW (pro); Pat Lashway, DSHS (pro).