Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 70.128 - Adult Family Homes.
70.128.005 - Findings—Intent.

RCW 70.128.005
Findings—Intent.

(1) The legislature finds that:
(a) Adult family homes are an important part of the state's long-term care system. Adult family homes provide an alternative to institutional care and promote a high degree of independent living for residents.
(b) Persons with functional limitations have broadly varying service needs. Adult family homes that can meet those needs are an essential component of a long-term system. Different populations living in adult family homes, such as persons with developmental disabilities and elderly persons, often have significantly different needs and capacities from one another.
(c) There is a need to update certain restrictive covenants to take into consideration the legislative findings cited in (a) and (b) of this subsection; the need to prevent or reduce institutionalization; and the legislative and judicial mandates to provide care and services in the least restrictive setting appropriate to the needs of the individual. Restrictive covenants which directly or indirectly restrict or prohibit the use of property for adult family homes (i) are contrary to the public interest served by establishing adult family homes and (ii) discriminate against individuals with disabilities in violation of RCW 49.60.224.
(2) It is the legislature's intent that department rules and policies relating to the licensing and operation of adult family homes recognize and accommodate the different needs and capacities of the various populations served by the homes. Furthermore, the development and operation of adult family homes that promote the health, welfare, and safety of residents, and provide quality personal care and special care services should be encouraged.
(3) The legislature finds that many residents of community-based long-term care facilities are vulnerable and their health and well-being are dependent on their caregivers. The quality, skills, and knowledge of their caregivers are the key to good care. The legislature finds that the need for well-trained caregivers is growing as the state's population ages and residents' needs increase. The legislature intends that current training standards be enhanced.
(4) The legislature finds that the state of Washington has a compelling interest in developing and enforcing standards that promote the health, welfare, and safety of vulnerable adults residing in adult family homes. The health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable adults must be the paramount concern in determining whether to issue a license to an applicant, whether to suspend or revoke a license, or whether to take other licensing actions.

[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 3 § 201; 2009 c 530 § 2; 2001 c 319 § 1; 2000 c 121 § 4; 1995 c 260 § 1; 1989 c 427 § 14.]
NOTES:

Finding—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 3: "The legislature finds that Washington's long-term care system should more aggressively promote protections for the vulnerable populations it serves. The legislature intends to address current statutes and funding levels that limit the department of social and health services' ability to promote vulnerable adult protections. The legislature further intends that the cost of facility oversight should be supported by an appropriate license fee paid by the regulated businesses, rather than by the general taxpayers." [ 2011 1st sp.s. c 3 § 101.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 70 - Public Health and Safety

Chapter 70.128 - Adult Family Homes.

70.128.005 - Findings—Intent.

70.128.007 - Purpose.

70.128.010 - Definitions.

70.128.030 - Exemptions.

70.128.040 - Adoption of rules and standards—Negotiated rule making—Specialty license.

70.128.043 - Negotiated rule making—Statewide unit of licensees—Intent.

70.128.050 - License—Required as of July 1, 1990—Limitations.

70.128.055 - Operating without a license—Misdemeanor.

70.128.057 - Operating without a license—Injunction or civil penalty.

70.128.058 - Operating without a license—Application of consumer protection act.

70.128.060 - License—Generally—Fees.

70.128.064 - Priority processing for license applications—Provisional license.

70.128.065 - Multiple facility operators—Requirements—Licensure of additional homes.

70.128.066 - Seven or eight bed adult family homes—Requirements—Licensure.

70.128.070 - License—Inspections—Correction of violations.

70.128.080 - License and inspection report—Availability for review.

70.128.090 - Inspections—Generally.

70.128.100 - Immediate suspension of license when conditions warrant.

70.128.105 - Injunction if conditions warrant.

70.128.110 - Prohibition against recommending unlicensed home—Report and investigation of unlicensed home.

70.128.120 - Adult family home provider, applicant, resident manager—Minimum qualifications.

70.128.122 - Adult family homes licensed by Indian tribes.

70.128.125 - Resident rights.

70.128.130 - Adult family homes—Requirements.

70.128.135 - Compliance with chapter 70.24 RCW.

70.128.140 - Compliance with local codes and state and local fire safety regulations.

70.128.150 - Adult family homes to work with local quality assurance projects—Interference with representative of ombuds program—Penalty.

70.128.155 - Resident contact information—Department requirements and duties.

70.128.160 - Department authority to take actions in response to noncompliance or violations—Civil penalties—Adult family home account.

70.128.163 - Temporary management program—Purposes—Voluntary participation—Temporary management duties, duration—Rules.

70.128.167 - Disputed violations, enforcement remedies—Informal dispute resolution process.

70.128.170 - Homes relying on prayer for healing—Application of chapter.

70.128.200 - Toll-free telephone number for complaints—Discrimination or retaliation prohibited.

70.128.210 - Training standards review—Delivery system—Issues reviewed—Report to the legislature.

70.128.220 - Elder care—Professionalization of providers.

70.128.230 - Long-term caregiver training.

70.128.240 - Approval system—Department-approved training—Adoption of rules.

70.128.250 - Required training and continuing education—Food safety training and testing.

70.128.260 - Limitation on restrictive covenants.

70.128.270 - Legislative intent—Enacting recommendations included in the adult family home quality assurance panel report.

70.128.280 - Required disclosure—Forms—Decrease in scope of care, services, activities—Notice—Increased needs of a resident—Denial of admission to a prospective resident—Department website.

70.128.290 - Correction of a violation or deficiency—Not included in a home's report—Criteria.

70.128.300 - Services for adult family home residents with a primary need of care related to a developmental or intellectual disability—Services for residents of adult family homes dedicated solely to dementia care—Design and implementation—Recommend...

70.128.305 - Adult family home training network—Requirements.

70.128.306 - Stop placement orders and limited stop placement orders.

70.128.901 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.