Protecting Washington’s Adult Family Homes and the Communities They Serve

Since 1989, adult family homes have become an integral part of Washington’s community-based care system. Each adult family home provides up to about six disabled or infirm residents a place to live within their communities while receiving supportive care they need. Meanwhile, historically marginalized caregivers—predominantly women, immigrants, and people of color—are provided entrepreneurial opportunities as small business owners that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Washington Supreme Court is now considering whether the live-in exemption to the state’s Minimum Wage Act violates the state constitution. If the exemption is struck down—and especially if the decision is applied retroactively, the result could be catastrophic. Hundreds if not thousands of small, family-run homes could close because Medicaid reimbursement rates they rely upon were set by the state with the exemption in mind. The loss would devastate adult family homeowners who relied on the law as written and displace the man elderly and disabled residents who depend on these homes for care.

 If you’re affected by these issues, contact Seattle Litigation Group PLLC, an experienced civil litigation law firm in Seattle. Whether you’re searching for employment lawyers, business attorneys near me, or civil litigation lawyers, our attorneys at law can help you understand your rights and protect your future.