(1) In an effort to ensure a cooperative process among the department, adult family home provider representatives, and resident and family representatives on matters pertaining to the adult family home program, the secretary, or his or her designee, shall designate an advisory committee. The advisory committee must include: Representatives from the industry including four adult family home providers, at least two of whom are affiliated with recognized adult family home associations; one representative from the state long-term care ombudsman program; one representative from the statewide resident council program; one representative from a general authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020; and two representatives of families and other consumers. The secretary shall appoint a chairperson for the committee from the committee membership for a term of one year. In appointing the chairperson, the secretary shall consult with members of the committee. Depending on the topic to be discussed, the department may invite other representatives in addition to the named members of the advisory committee. The secretary, or his or her designee, shall periodically, but not less than quarterly, convene a meeting of the advisory committee to encourage open dialogue on matters affecting the adult family home program. It is, minimally, expected that the department will discuss with the advisory committee the department's inspection, enforcement, and quality improvement activities, in addition to seeking their comments and recommendations on matters described under subsection (2) of this section.

     (2) The secretary, or his or her designee, shall seek comments and recommendations from the advisory committee prior to the adoption of rules and standards, implementation of adult family home provider programs, or development of methods and rates of payment.

     (3) Establishment of the advisory committee shall not prohibit the department of social and health services from utilizing other advisory activities that the department of social and health services deems necessary for program development.

     (4) Members of the advisory committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 from license fees collected under chapter 70.128 RCW.

[2007 c 40 § 1; 2002 c 223 § 4.]