Bill
SB 6255
Expands access to assisted living for low-income seniors by aligning licensing with residential tenancy rules and housing incentives (LIHTC, subsidies).
SB 6255 (S-4056.1) – Summary of Key Points
Overview
- Bill number/title: SB 6255, relating to assisted living facilities that are owned or operated by affordable housing providers.
- Status: First reading; referred to Health & Long Term Care.
- Introduced: January 17, 2024 (68th Legislature, 2024 Regular Session).
- Intent: Recognize the housing affordability and homelessness crisis as it affects older adults who need long-term services and supports, and confirm that some assisted living facilities may satisfy residential landlord-tenant law in addition to the assisted living statute. Purpose is to expand access to assisted living by enabling use of affordable housing incentives (e.g., LIHTC and rental subsidies).
Purpose and intent
- Acknowledges that stable housing is closely linked to health outcomes for older adults, especially those 65+ with fixed incomes and health needs.
- Seeks to bridge assisted living regulation with residential landlord-tenant law to broaden access and funding options (notably for providers that also use affordable housing incentives).
Key provisions (highlights)
- Section 1 (Policy foundation): States the legislature’s recognition of the housing/homelessness crisis and the impact on health; asserts that assisted living facilities may comply with residential landlord-tenant law in addition to the assisted living statute to leverage affordable housing resources.
- Section 2 (Definitions and cross-references): Amends RCW 18.20.020 and related provisions (including 2020 c 312 s 726) to adjust definitions used throughout the chapter. Definitions updated include:
- "Adult day services"
- "Assisted living facility"
- "Basic services"
- "Domiciliary care"
- "General responsibility for the safety and well-being of the resident"
- "Legal representative"
- "Nonresident individual"
- "Resident" and "Resident applicant"
- "Resident's representative"
- Other related terms (as defined in the statute)
- New section: The bill also creates a new section (exact text not fully provided in the excerpt). The new section is part of the overall reform to align assisted living facilities with housing- and tenancy-related considerations.
Who would be affected
- Assisted living facilities owned or operated by affordable housing providers.
- Residents and resident applicants, including nonresident individuals in housing programs who may access services.
- Legal representatives and resident representatives (defined in the bill).
- Oversight and administrative bodies (e.g., Department of Social and Health Services) that implement licensing, care standards, and tenancy protections.
- Providers seeking or using low-income housing tax credits and rental subsidies.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Current status reflects early legislative handling: first reading and referral to Health & Long Term Care.
- If advanced, the changes would modify statutory definitions (RCW 18.20.020 and related sections) and introduce a framework linking assisted living regulation with residential landlord-tenant law.
Impact considerations
- Potential increased access to assisted living for low-income seniors through housing subsidies and tax credits.
- Possible shifts in compliance burdens and enforcement due to dual applicability of landlord-tenant law and assisted living requirements.
- Implications for residents’ rights, housing stability, and coordination with health services.
References
- RCW definitions and existing statutory context as amended by the bill (specific RCW sections cited in the text).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
