The bill amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to expand the definition of "family member" for individual providers of long-term care services. Key changes include the inclusion of individuals related by marriage or domestic partnership in the definition of family members for whom care can be provided without certification. The bill also specifies that individual providers caring for their biological, adoptive, or stepchildren, as well as siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandparents, or grandchildren, are exempt from certain training requirements. Additionally, it establishes new training requirements and continuing education protocols for long-term care workers, including a mandate for 12 hours of continuing education annually.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that requires the Department of Health to convene a work group by July 1, 2024, to review existing continuing education courses and recommend topics relevant to individual providers caring for family members. The work group is tasked with providing recommendations by March 1, 2025, and the contracted training entity must submit a course development plan by July 1, 2025. The bill also includes provisions for the implementation and expiration of certain sections, with specific effective dates set for January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.88B.041, 74.39A.076, 74.39A.341
Bill as Passed Legislature: 18.88B.041, 74.39A.076, 74.39A.341
Session Law: 18.88B.041, 74.39A.076, 74.39A.341