FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2582
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. |
C 178 L 18
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning the department of veterans affairs.
Sponsors: Representatives Reeves, Johnson, Kilduff, MacEwen, McBride and Eslick; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.
House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections
Background:
The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) provides many services and benefits to veterans and their families, including: counseling, employment, education, training, burial, housing, medical care, and relief programs. The Director of the WDVA (Director) conducts, controls, and supervises the WDVA. The Director also holds the power to appoint and employ personnel for the WDVA, including assistants and executive staff. The Director is required to designate a deputy from the executive staff to supervise the WDVA in his or her absence. The Director and all appointed assistants and executive staff must be veterans.
The WDVA operates four state veterans homes: the Washington Veterans Home located in Port Orchard; the Washington Soldiers Home located in Orting; the Spokane Veterans Home located in Spokane; and the Walla Walla Veterans Home located in Walla Walla. Veterans with an honorable discharge who reside in the state, and their spouses or domestic partners, are eligible to apply for admission to a state veterans home. The veterans homes provide both domiciliary and nursing care. The Director must appoint a superintendent to manage each state veterans home. Each superintendent must be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) as a nursing home administrator.
Summary:
The WDVA Deputy Director and assistant directors appointed by the Director, rather than all assistants and executive staff, must be veterans.
The title of the individual appointed to manage each state veterans home is "Administrator," rather than ''Superintendent,'' consistent with the requirement that the individual be a nursing home administrator licensed by the DOH.
When hiring an administrator for a state veterans' home, honorably discharged veterans are given a preference.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 98 | 0 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 |
Effective: | June 7, 2018 |