Initiative 1029

2008 General Election

• Published October 17, 2008

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Ballot title: Initiative Measure No. 1029 concerns long-term care services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. This measure would require long-term care workers to be certified as home care aides based on an examination, with exceptions; increase training and criminal background check requirements; and establish disciplinary standards and procedures.

What it does: I-1029 establishes requirements for national background checks in 2010. It raises training requirements to 75 hours from 34 hours for workers and requires state certification for workers hired after 2010 who provide long-term care services to the elderly and disabled.

Arguments for: People For Safe Quality Care says the safety and care of disabled and elderly people can be improved with better training, certification and FBI background checks for 20,000 new long-term care workers hired each year. Most members of a governor’s task force recommended 85 hours; existing requirements are lower than for professions such as manicurists. Unpaid providers and parents caring for their parents and children are exempt.

Arguments against: The Community Care Coalition of Washington says it’s a one-size-fits-all solution that adds a burden for some families that care for relatives and receive state aid. State-level background checks are already done. This could worsen the shortage of workers and drive up costs for all care. The measure would cost $29.7 million in 2009-11. It also wastes tax dollars to train individuals who work few hours, provide light care, and don’t need it.

Major backers: The Service Employees International Union contributed most of the money — $650,000 of the $698,000 collected as of early October — to help collect signatures, get the measure on the ballot and promote it. Endorsers include state long-term care ombudsman Louise Ryan and former ombudsman Kary Hyre, Alzheimers Association of Western and Central Washington, CARES Washington, Elderhealth Northwest, Gov. Chris Gregoire, House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt.

Major opponents: Financially out-gunned opponents raised just $125,728 as of early October, including $19,405 from the Washington Association of Housing & Services for the Aging. Other endorsers and backers are the Community Care Coalition of Washington, which includes operators of non-profit care facilities, assisted living homes, and agencies providing in-home care; Home Care of Washington, retiring House Appropriations chairwoman Helen Sommers, D-Seattle.

Web sites:

For the Yes on I-1029 campaign, go to www.yeson1029.org.

For the No on I-1029 campaign, go to www.communitycarecoalitionwa.org.