Brief Description: Modifying requirements for licensing of facilities serving children and persons with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Moeller, Kenney and McIntire.

Hearing Date: 1/18/06

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), along with the Children's Services Advisory Committee, develops minimum requirements for the licensing of facilities under its supervision. Foster homes, day care centers, and group homes are some examples of such facilities.

Among the minimum requirements that the DSHS must consider prior to licensing a facility are the following:

1.   the size and suitability of a facility;
2.   the number of qualified persons required to render the type of care and treatment for which an agency seeks a license; and
3.   the safety, cleanliness, and general adequacy of the premises to provide for the comfort, care, and well-being of the persons to be served.

Summary of Bill:

When licensing a new facility, in addition to the current licensing requirements, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to consider the suitability of the location of the facility and whether the location of the facility could adversely impact the persons served by the facility. In making this determination, the DSHS must consider whether the existence of similar facilities in the proposed location may adversely impact the persons to be served by the facility, including the ability of the persons to be integrated into the community.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.