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Several weeks ago, Washington Gov. Inslee signed into law Senate Bill No. 5123, which will protect prospective employees from discrimination in hiring due to their lawful, off-duty use of marijuana. With this law, Washington will join the growing list of states offering some workplace protections to workers who engage in “off-duty” marijuana use. The new law is not a “go-ahead” for all Washington employees to engage in recreational marijuana use without employment consequences, however. Governor Inslee has emphasized the law does not protect all such use and does not prevent employers from establishing policies regarding a drug-free workplace.
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The Washington Aging & Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) is seeking public comment on the draft Washington State Plan on Aging for 2023-2027. ALTSA is designated as Washington’s State Unit on Aging to administer the federal programs under the Older Americans Act. ALTSA submits a State Plan on Aging every four years to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Home care industry leaders and HCAOA members in Washington met last week at the state chapter conference in Seattle to receive updates on several issues impacting the home care industry. State surveyors Lori Heiner and Annalisa Atienza provided detailed insight on surveys and Leslie Emerick, state lobbyist for the chapter, offered a recap of legislative and regulatory activities over the last five months.
If you have not registered for the Washington Chapter Conference on Wednesday, May 17, here are 3 reasons to sign up now.
Beginning January 1, 2023, Washington employers with 15 or more employees will be required to publish, on every job posting, the wage scale or salary range and a "general description of all of the benefits and other compensation to be offered to the hired applicant." They must also provide this information for internal transfers upon request.
A new Basic Caregiver Training Emergency Rule (WSR 22-15-020) has been refiled in Washington state, effective July 12, 2022. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) filed rules effective July 1, 2022 as WSR 22-12-081 to outline dates by which HCAs must complete basic caregiver training based on hire and rehire dates. These dates may extend through September 30, 2023, or within 120 days after the end of the COVID-19 training waivers established by the governor, whichever is later.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will be jointly hosting two virtual listening sessions on Wednesday June 22, 9-10:30 a.m. and Wednesday July 20, 10-11:30 a.m. to receive feedback on the below date of hire proposals for Home Care Aides.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has filed new rules to respond to the backlog of long-term care workers needing training and/or testing for certification caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These new rules will allow additional time for long-term care workers to be trained and certified. Workers are also credited with continuing education hours for on-the-job training during the COVID-19 emergency, and deadlines for completing continuing education are also extended. The Permanent Rule Making adds two new sections in Chapters 388-71 WAC and 388-112A WAC. To access the rule language, please click here.  Agencies should be aware of common citations for home care operations in the state, so Lisa Mahoney of the WA State Department of Health will cover everything you need to know during her presentation at the conference next Tuesday, May 24 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We have a packed agenda that covers employee retention, advocacy, and new member benefits you can take advantage of now. [read more]
The conference includes networking and lunch. Click here to download a printable conference flyer with full details. Register now! Sponsored by:
 The Washington State Chapter conference will be held Tuesday, May 24 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and feature eight presentations on topics covering technology, advocacy, and employment, including: Retention is Recruiting with Clayton Foutch, Home Matters Caregiving Clayton discusses best-known methods to address the labor shortage that our industry is facing with strategies to create an environment that promotes employee longevity. Improve the retention metrics in your organization with his tips. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, innovators, and vendors supporting the industry. Lunch is provided. A discounted overnight rate $174 is available for conference attendees at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center. Click here to reserve by May 13 (date extended!). Click here to download a printable conference flyer with full details. Sponsored by   HCAOA has confirmed that Lisa Mahoney, MPH, In-Home Services Survey Manager, Office of Health Systems Oversight, Health Systems Quality Assurance, Washington State Department of Health, will speak at the Washington Chapter Conference on May 24 to provide an update about common state citations for agencies. Mahoney joins a strong lineup of speakers, including:
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, innovators, and vendors supporting the industry. Lunch will be provided. Join us Tuesday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Download a printable conference flyer. A discounted overnight rate $174 is available for conference attendees at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center. Click here to reserve by May 13 (date extended!). The Health Care Authority (HCA) learned from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the current COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) has been extended through July 15, 2022. According to HHS’ letter to the Governors, the PHE may be extended in 90-day increments and HHS will provide states with 60 days’ notice prior to termination. HCA will continue to share updates as new information becomes available, and communicate to clients, partners, and stakeholders before any eligibility changes take place.
What does this mean for Apple Health clients? Current Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients will not lose their coverage during the PHE unless they do not meet residency, citizenship or immigration requirements, or request closure. Clients should continue to report changes, including changes to their household contact information. To ensure your clients do not miss letters or notifications about their coverage, make sure their contact information is up to date in Washington Healthplanfinder or with Washington Connection.  Home care providers in Washington should plan to attend the one-day conference for the HCAOA Washington Chapter on Tuesday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You’ll learn the latest on employment issues and labor law, caregiver recruitment, tax credits available for home care agencies, and how technology is changing the business. The event includes lunch and plenty of opportunities to network.
Here’s what to expect:
Click here to download a printable conference flyer. A discounted overnight rate $174 is available for conference attendees at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center. Call (206) 244-4800 to reserve by May 2.  orAll Washington home care providers are invited to join the HCAOA Washington Chapter for a one-day conference on Tuesday, May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. featuring a series of compelling presentations on employment issues and labor law, caregiver recruitment, tax credits available for home care agencies, and how technology is changing the business. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, innovators, and vendors supporting the industry. Lunch will be provided.
Click here to download a printable conference flyer. Here's a look at the agenda and speakers.
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