Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 2621

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: Creating regulation exemptions for rural health clinics providing services in a designated home health shortage area.

Sponsors: Representatives Maycumber, Tharinger, Schmick, Chapman, MacEwen and Eslick.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Exempts certain rural health clinics from in-home services agency licensure and certificate of need requirements.

Hearing Date: 1/31/20

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

I. In-Home Services Agencies.

An in-home services agency administers or provides home health, home care, or hospice services to individuals in a place of temporary or permanent residence. In-home service agencies are licensed by the Department of Health (DOH).

A person or entity is not required to be licensed as an in-home services agency under a variety of circumstances. For example, a family member or person who provides services without compensation is exempt from licensure. Certain types of licensed facilities are also exempt when providing services to persons residing in the facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and developmental disability residential programs.

II. Certificate of Need.

Before a health care facility, including hospices, hospice care centers, hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, kidney disease treatment centers, ambulatory surgical facilities, and home health agencies, may be constructed, renovated, or sold, the DOH must issue a certificate of need. When determining whether to issue a certificate of need, the DOH must consider a variety of factors, including:

Summary of Bill:

A rural health clinic providing health services in a home health shortage area declared by the Department of Health is exempt from:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.