AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2008 BH "Dear Administrator" Letters
May 21, 2008
ADSA: BH #2008-007
2008 Legislation re: Domestic Partnerships - Rights
Dear Boarding Home Administrator:
On March 12, 2008 the Governor signed Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 3104 into law. This law provides rights to domestic partners in boarding homes who are “state registered domestic partners”.
2SHB 3104 becomes effective June 12, 2008. Please read sections 304 and 1201 online at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202008/3104-S2.SL.pdf for specific details. The main provisions of 2SHB 3104 as it pertains to boarding homes are:
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 70.129.140 Quality of life –rights, has been amended;
- The law defines domestic partnership as “state registered domestic partnership”; and
- Residents who are married to each other or in a domestic partnership with each other have the right to share a double room when they live in the same facility and both consent to the arrangement.
The changes to the law are consistent with current boarding home Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-78A-3010 which states that both residents mutually agree to share the sleeping room. The department may revise sections of rule to more closely reflect the change in law.
If you have questions, please contact your RCS Field Manager.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
