SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6682
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Health & Long-Term Care, February 07, 2008
Title: An act relating to providing background checks to home care agencies.
Brief Description: Regarding the department of social and health services providing background checks for home care agencies.
Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, Keiser, Franklin, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Shin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/06/08, 2/07/08 [DPS-WM].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6682 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles and Marr.
Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)
Background: Home care agencies that contract with the state to provide services to vulnerable
adults and children have access to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Background Check Central Unit (BCCU). This provides more comprehensive information about
applicants than is available through the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Background check
results include: pending charges under 12 months old, civil or family court decisions, convictions
from other states, DSHS or Department of Health (DOH) disciplinary board final decisions of
abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, professional license suspension or revocation, and
Department of Corrections information.
Currently, there are many private home care agencies that do not contract with the state for
services and do not have access to the BCCU. These agencies rely on WSP for background
checks.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): A home care agency may have access to information about an applicant available through the BCCU.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Home health and hospice aides are added. The DSHS will provide the information they have through the BCCU when requested by the agencies and within current law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2008.
[OFM requested a ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Caregivers are a highly mobile population. We need to know that the people we hire to care for the most vulnerable people are not predators. We must have access to all available background information.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Deidrich Meinken, Washington Private Duty Association; Leslie Emerick, Home Care Association of Washington.