SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2056

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 of February 14, 2012

Title: An act relating to assisted living facilities.

Brief Description: Concerning assisted living facilities.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Van De Wege, Bailey, Cody, Johnson and Warnick).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/09/12, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/16/12.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)

Background: Washington began licensing boarding homes in 1958. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) licenses and conducts inspections, investigations of complaints, and enforcement actions related to boarding homes.

Boarding homes are facilities that provide housing and basic services to seven or more residents. Residents of boarding homes are people who live in a boarding home for reasons of age or disability and receive services provided by the boarding home. Services provided to residents by boarding homes include housekeeping, meals, snacks, laundry, and activities. They may also provide domiciliary care including assistance with activities of daily living, health support services, and intermittent nursing services. Intermittent nursing services include medication administration, administration of health care treatments, diabetic management, nonroutine ostomy care, tube feeding, and delegated nursing tasks.

Summary of Bill: The term boarding home is changed to assisted living facility throughout the boarding home licensing statute and elsewhere in the Revised Code of Washington. DSHS is authorized to apply rules regarding boarding homes to assisted living facilities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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