Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
2ESSB 5180
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. |
Brief Description: Establishing the legislative advisory committee on aging.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Walsh, Darneille, Keiser, Palumbo and Conway).
Brief Summary of Second Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/20/18
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The Council on Aging is a permanent council that advises the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services on policies, programs, and services affecting older persons. The Council on Aging is comprised of a member from each area agency on aging, members recommended by the Washington Association of Counties and the Association of Washington Cities, five at-large members, and four legislators who are nonvoting members.
In addition to the Council on Aging, the Legislature has established several committees related to issues of long-term care, including the Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Long-Term Care which issued its final report in January 2000 and the Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management which issued its final report in January 2008.
The 2013-15 Operating Budget established the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Disability Issues (Committee). The Committee has been reauthorized in the subsequent two biennial operating budgets. The Committee's membership has varied over its five years, and has included a combination of legislators, executive branch representatives, and representatives from stakeholder groups.
The Committee has been assigned various responsibilities, including:
profiling Washington's older population and populations with disabilities;
inventorying services and supports for aging populations and populations with disabilities;
identifying strategies to better serve the health care needs of an aging population and populations with disabilities to promote healthy living and palliative care planning;
identifying ways to fund long-term services and supports;
promoting financial security in retirement; and
reviewing housing, land use, and transportation options for an aging community.
During the five years of its existence, the Committee has issued four reports, including its latest in December 2016. The Committee expires on July 1, 2019.
Summary of Bill:
The Legislative Advisory Committee on Aging (Advisory Committee) is established. The Advisory Committee consists of eight voting members comprised of two legislators from each caucus of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In addition, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority must each appoint a liaison representative to serve as a nonvoting member. The Advisory Committee may consult with public and private sector individuals or ask them to establish an advisory committee.
The Advisory Committee may review issues of importance to the aging community and to individuals with disabilities, including housing, long-term care, health and wellness, malnutrition, transportation, and finances. The Advisory Committee begins on July 1, 2019 and expires July 1, 2021.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.