SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5015

                As Passed Senate, March 3, 1999

 

Title:  An act relating to technical, clarifying, nonsubstantive amendments to community mental health services.

 

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to community mental health services.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Long, Hargrove, Winsley and Costa.

 

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/19/99, 2/2/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/3/99, 46-0.

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Franklin, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Patterson, Sheahan and Stevens.

 

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

 

Background:  The RCW chapter on community mental health contains outdated statutory language, including cross references to repealed provisions.  Terms defined in the statute contained two definitions:  one definition for use during a specified time period and another definition for use at a specified date in the future.  The specified future date has come and gone; therefore, the older definition serves no purpose.  Staff reviewed the chapter, eliminating unnecessary language.  Agencies received copies of the changes for comment.

 

Summary of Bill:  Technical changes, not substantive, are made to the Community Mental Health Services Act.  The intent section clarifies the bill=s technical purpose.  Dated informa­tion is deleted.  Cross references are corrected.  Some substantive provisions previously contained in a definition were removed and added as new sections.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  None.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

 

Testimony For:  The technical changes are needed and are appropriate.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Jean Wessman, Washington State Association of Counties.