AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2008 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters
May 21, 2008
ADSA: NH #2008-007
2008 Legislation re: Domestic Partnerships - Rights
Dear Nursing Facility/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 nursing homes are:
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 74.42.070 Privacy has been amended;
- The law defines domestic partnership as “state registered domestic partnership”
- Residents who are spouses or domestic partners must be given privacy during visits with their spouses or their domestic partners; and
- When both spouses and domestic partners are residents of the facility, they must be permitted to share a room, unless medically contraindicated.
The current nursing home Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-97-07065 which states that the resident has the right to share a room with his or her spouse will be amended to include domestic partners. The department may amend other related rules affected by the law.
If you have questions, please contact your RCS Field Manager.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
