HB 1591-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Requires the department of health, the department, and the building code council to develop standards for small boarding homes between seven and sixteen beds that address at least the designated issues.

Requires that, based on the standards developed under this act, the department of health and the building code council shall study the risks and benefits of modifying and simplifying construction and equipment standards for boarding homes with a capacity of seven to sixteen persons. The study shall include coordination with the department. The department of health shall report its findings and recommendations to appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2005.

Requires the department to implement, as part of the required training and continuing education, food safety training and testing integrated into the curriculum that meets the standards established by the state board of health pursuant to chapter 69.06 RCW.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1591-S

May 17, 2005

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning, without my approval as to Sections 3, 4, and 5, Substitute House Bill No. 1591 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to care facilities."

Sections 3, 4, and 5 of this bill authorize licensure of a new category of larger adult family homes, known as special capacity adult family homes, which may serve seven or eight residents instead of up to only six residents. Adult family homes are an important component of our state's long-term care continuum and are favored by many families seeking a home-like, but safe living environment for an elderly or disabled family member. The intent behind this proposal is to make operating one of these facilities more economically viable. Expanding the size of these facilities, however, may make them less safe, less homelike, and more intrusive in neighborhood settings. Larger facilities would also likely incur higher staff and service costs. It is not clear that expanding their size would make them more economically viable. The idea of authorizing the expansion of adult family homes should be considered by the Long Term Care Task Force. The task force was created under Substitute House Bill No. 1220 this year, and will be considering both financial and capacity issues in our long-term care system over this next year.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Sections 3, 4, and 5 of Substitute House Bill No. 1591.

With the exception of Sections 3, 4, and 5, Substitute House Bill No. 1591 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine O. Gregoire

Governor