2750 AMH THAR BLAC 097

HB 2750 - H AMD 1069

By Representative Tharinger

ADOPTED 02/14/2018

    On page 2, beginning on line 1, strike all of subsections (5) and (6)

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

    On page 2, beginning on line 14, strike all of sections 2 and 3 and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 18.20 RCW to read as follows:

    The department shall provide information to consumers about assisted living facilities. This information must be made available online and must include information related to site visits, substantiated inspection and complaint investigation reports, including any citation and remedy imposed, and a listing of licensed assisted living facilities by geographic location.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 18.20 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The department shall facilitate a work group process to recommend quality metrics for assisted living facilities. The department shall keep a public record of comments submitted by stakeholders throughout the work group process.

    (2) The work group shall consist of representatives from the department, assisted living provider associations, the long term care ombuds; organizations with expertise in serving persons with mental health needs in an institutional setting, as selected by the department; organizations with expertise in serving persons with developmental disability needs in an institutional setting, as selected by the department; licensed health care professionals with experience caring for geriatric patients, as selected by the department; and an Alzheimer’s advocacy organization. The work group may solicit input from individuals with additional expertise, if necessary.

    (3) The work group shall make an interim report by September 1, 2019, and final recommendations to the appropriate legislative committees by September 1, 2020, and shall include a dissent report if agreement is not achieved among stakeholders and the department.

    (4) The work group must submit recommendations for a quality metric system, propose a process for monitoring and tracking performance, and recommend a process to inform consumers.

    (5) The department shall include at least one meeting dedicated to review and analysis of other states with quality metric methodologies for assisted living and must include information on how well each state is achieving quality care outcomes. In addressing data metrics the workgroup shall consider whether the data that must be reported reflect and promote quality of care and whether reporting the data is unnecessarily burdensome upon assisted living facilities."

    On page 4, line 35, after "actions" insert ", using a tiered sanction grid that considers the extent of harm from the deficiency and the regularity of the occurrence of the deficiency when imposing civil fines"

    On page 5, line 2, after "violation" and insert ". Until July 1, 2019, the civil penalties may not exceed one thousand dollars per day per violation. Beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, the civil penalties may not exceed two thousand dollars per day per violation. Beginning July 1, 2020, the civil penalties may not exceed three thousand dollars per day per violation"

    On page 5, beginning on line 3, after "(d)" strike all material through "(e)" on line 9

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

     On page 5, beginning on line 18, after "(3)" strike all material through "(4)" on line 24

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

EFFECT:   Removes the Assisted Living Facility Quality Council and the Assisted Living Facility Quality Program. Directs the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to establish a work group to recommend quality metrics for assisted living facilities to submit an interim report to legislative committees by September 1, 2019 and final recommendations by September 1, 2020. Includes members on the work group from the DSHS, assisted living provider associations, the Long-Term Care Ombuds, organizations with expertise in serving persons with mental health needs in an institutional setting, organizations with expertise in serving persons with developmental disabilities in an institutional setting, health care professionals caring for geriatric patients, and an Alzheimer's advocacy organization. Requires the work group to report on recommendations for a quality metric system, process for monitoring and tracking performance, and a process for informing consumers.

Directs the DSHS to provide information to consumers about assisted living facilities including site visits, inspection and complaint investigation reports, citations and remedies imposed, and a listing of assisted living facilities.

Extends the time for reaching the $3,000 maximum civil penalty until July 1, 2020. Establishes a maximum civil penalty of $1,000 until July 1, 2019 and a maximum civil penalty of $2,000 until July 1, 2020.

Eliminates legislative findings related to state access to data regarding assisted living facility quality of care and about the work group considering a funding methodology.

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