SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6408
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994
Brief Description: Including tribal authorities in mental health systems.
SPONSORS: Senators Spanel, Owen, Prentice, Sheldon, Fraser and Hargrove
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley and Winsley.
Staff: Don Sloma (786‑7319)
Hearing Dates: February 3, 1994
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
BACKGROUND:
Under current law, a county or a group of counties whose population is greater than 40,000 persons may enter a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network (RSN) to plan, organize and deliver mental health services according to a contract with the state Department of Social and Health Services.
Under current law, no statutory requirement exists for a tribal authority be party to such a joint operating agreement.
SUMMARY:
The term "tribal authority" includes a federally recognized Indian tribe or a major Indian organization recognized by the Secretary of Social and Health Services.
Upon their request, a tribal authority must be included as a party to a joint operating agreement to establish a regional support network. The joint operating agreement must include a determination of tribal authority membership on the governing board and advisory boards and must include provision for culturally competent services to the tribes served.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
TESTIMONY FOR:
The bill will improve coordination and access to mental health services for Indians in our state.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Gabriel Landry, DSHS; David Hanig, DSHS; Randy Scott, Quinault Indian Nation, Colville Federated Tribes; Virginia Penn, Chehalis Tribe
HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):
A technical amendment is added to limit the definition of "tribal authority" only to those fitting the terms of the bill.