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                                ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 3904

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Human Services and Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kiskaddon and Johnson)

Read first time 3/8/85.

AN ACT Relating to self-medication; and amending RCW 18.20.010 and 18.20.160.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 1, chapter 253, Laws of 1957 and RCW 18.20.010 are each amended to read as follows:

          The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the development, establishment, and enforcement of standards for the maintenance and operation of boarding homes, which, in the light of advancing knowledge, will promote safe and adequate care of the individuals therein.  It is further the intent of the legislature that boarding homes be available to meet the needs of those for whom they care by recognizing the capabilities of individuals to direct their self-medication or to use supervised self-medication techniques when ordered and approved by a physician licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW or 18.71 RCW.

        Sec. 2.  Section 16, chapter 253, Laws of 1957 as amended by section 1, chapter 43, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. and RCW 18.20.160 are each amended to read as follows:

          No person operating a boarding home licensed under this chapter shall admit to or retain in the boarding home any aged person requiring nursing or medical care of a type provided by institutions licensed under chapters 18.51, 70.41 or 71.12 RCW, except that when registered nurses are available ((from a visiting nurse service or home health agency or from an adjacent or nearby skilled nursing facility or one located in the facility)), and upon a doctor's order that a supervised medication service is needed, it may be provided.  Supervised medication services, as defined by the department, may include an approved program of self-medication or self-directed medication.  Such medication service shall be provided only to ambulatory boarders who otherwise meet all requirements for residency in a boarding home.