SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5403

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Darneille, Conway, Rivers, Keiser and Kuderer; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Requires nonambulatory adult family home residents have a bedroom on the floor of the home from which the resident can be evacuated to a designated safe location outside the home without the use of stairs, elevators, chairlifts, platform lifts, or other devices determined by the Department of Social and Health Services in rule.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5403 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; O'Ban, Ranking Member; Becker, Dhingra, Frockt, Keiser and Van De Wege.

Background: An adult family home is a residential home that provides personal care, specialty care, necessary supervision, laundry, and room and board for up to six adults who need long-term care. Adult family homes are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Adult family homes must ensure that all residents can be safely evacuated in an emergency and must develop a fire drill plan for emergency evacuation of residents. The home must be able to evacuate all residents from the home to a safe location in five minutes or less, and nonambulatory residents are not allowed to live above the first floor of the home.

Summary of First Substitute Bill: Nonambulatory adult family home residents must have a bedroom on a floor of the adult family home from which the resident can be evacuated to a designated safe location outside the home without the use of stairs, elevators, chairlifts, platform lifts, or other devices determined by DSHS in rule. Adult family homes must ensure that all residents can be safely evacuated from the home in an emergency as established by DSHS in rule. The rules established by DSHS must be developed in consultation with the largest organization representing fire chiefs in the state of Washington.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This is technical change that would allow adult family home residents live on a floor that they can be safely evacuated. There is not a universal definition of first floor and split level homes or homes with daylight basements are often confused about how to meet the existing requirements. This change would help alleviate the confusion.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Barbara Bailey, Prime Sponsor; Candace Goehring, Aging and Long Term Support Administration; Maria Chiechi, Adult Family Home Council; Alyssa Arley, A2Z Elite Services and Adult Family Home Developement and Compliance Specialist.