SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5642
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 10, 2015
Title: An act relating to encouraging training for medical students, nurses, and medical technicians and assistants to work with adult patients with developmental disabilities.
Brief Description: Requiring the student achievement council to develop a grant program to encourage training for students studying in the medical field to work with individuals with disabilities.
Sponsors: Senators Chase, Hill, Kohl-Welles and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/10/15.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)
Background: Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). WSAC was created in 2012 to provide strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and programs to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington. WSAC administers a number of financial aid programs, including an aerospace loan program, a health professional loan forgiveness and scholarship program, and the John R. Justice loan forgiveness program for eligible Washington attorneys. WSAC's Office of Student Financial Assistance is also in charge of administering the Work-Study Opportunity Grant for High-Demand Occupations. This is a competitive grant program in which WSAC awards grants to eligible institutions of higher education that have developed a partnership with an organization willing to host work-study placements. The grant money covers student wages and the cost of program administration.
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). DDA is a program within the Department of Social and Health Services. In fiscal year 2014, DDA had an average cliental of about 22,600 people, of which about 60 percent are adults over the age of 18. However, it is estimated that there are around 84,000 people with developmental disabilities in Washington, which is roughly 1.2 percent of the population.
Summary of Bill: Subject to the availability of funds, WSAC must develop a centralized program for grants for institutions, for programs designed to develop training projects focused on improving services to adult individuals with developmental disabilities. WSAC may administer the program in consultation with the Department of Health. WSAC must report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2016, information regarding grants awarded under the program, as well as any other efforts or progress in expanding or improving training for students in treating adult individuals with developmental disabilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Funding for students to deal with the developmentally disabled is critical. This bill expands a past program to all of the medical schools and other schools that deal with developmentally disabled.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Rick Jensen, Action DD.