Les Ostermeier, co-owner of an adult home referral agency, meets with prospective clients. Oregon has adopted tighter regulations of the adult family home and referral industries. — Photo by Geo Rittenmyer

Two new laws governing the fast-growing adult family home industry will offer Washington residents protection against shady practices and outright abuse.

See also: Caregiving Resource Center.

• A law that took effect Aug. 24 will require more frequent inspections by the state Department of Social and Health Services and improved safety standards in Washington's nearly 3,000 adult family homes.

Adult family homes are small residential facilities that offer care for up to six older or disabled adults. Nursing homes are heavily regulated, but the rules for adult family homes are less clear.

The law requires that caregivers speak and read English so they can read patients' care plans, speak with doctors and talk to 911 operators when necessary. It also increases financial penalties for violators of the provisions.

Starting Jan. 1 a new law will require elder care referral agencies to disclose fees and commissions; disclose when they conducted their most recent on-site screening of each facility; conduct criminal background checks of employees; and use standardized intake forms that track seniors' medical histories.

Exposé prompted action

Ingrid McDonald, AARP Washington advocacy director, credited a 2010 Seattle Times series, "Seniors for Sale," for exposing shady practices in the industry. Some referral companies charged finders' fees to older people while referring them to substandard facilities, the Times found.

McDonald said such revelations were "critical because they created an awareness among lawmakers" and prompted them to take action.

Most adult family homes and assisted living facilities pay commissions to referral agencies that send them new patients. But some agencies don't screen the facilities, and in scores of cases since 2008 they referred older clients to facilities with a history of negligence and even abuse, the newspaper series found.

Next: New laws will make industry more transparent >>