Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
2SSB 5672
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: Concerning adult family home specialty services.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Cleveland, O'Ban, Walsh, Wellman, Darneille, Dhingra, Hunt, Keiser, Frockt, Kuderer, Nguyen and Saldaña).
Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/19/19
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Adult family homes are community-based facilities licensed to care for up to six individuals who need long-term care. These homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and nursing services.
Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) and must meet facility standards as well as training requirements for resident managers and caregivers. An adult family home may only admit residents whose needs and preferences the home is able to meet through available staff and reasonable accommodations. Adult family homes that serve persons with special needs, such as dementia or developmental disabilities, must provide specialty training to providers, resident managers, and caregivers.
The Department's rules and standards for adult family homes must be appropriate to the different needs and capacities of the various populations served by adult family homes, including persons who are developmentally disabled or elderly. The Department may designate an adult family home to provide specialty care in the areas of developmental disability, mental illness, and dementia.
Summary of Bill:
The Developmental Disabilities Administration within the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) must work with stakeholders to design and implement services for individuals living in adult family homes whose primary care needs relate to a developmental or intellectual disability. The services relate to assessment, environment, regulations, provision of care, and training requirements. The services must be designed to improve resident quality of life, increase resident length of stay, clarify regulations, streamline training requirements, reduce the need for institutional settings, and attract more adult family homes to develop needed resources. The recommendations for the services must be completed by June 1, 2020, for consideration and implementation in the 2021-23 biennium.
The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration within the Department must work with stakeholders to design and implement services for individuals living in adult family homes that are dedicated solely to caring for persons with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The services relate to assessment, environment, regulations, provision of care, and training requirements. The services must be designed to improve resident quality of life, increase resident length of stay, clarify regulations, streamline training requirements, reduce the need for institutional settings, and attract more adult family homes to develop needed resources. The recommendations for the services must be completed by June 1, 2020, for consideration and implementation in the 2021-23 biennium.
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.