SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2654
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 26, 2008
Title: An act relating to consumer-directed mental health care.
Brief Description: Creating a process for certifying community-based mental health services.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Hinkle, Cody, Moeller, Green and Kenney).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/08, 96-1.
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/26/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.
Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)
Background: Consumer- and family-run mental health services are mental health programs in
which a majority of the board, staff, and membership of the program are persons with mental
illnesses or family members of a person with mental illnesses. The goal of consumer- and family-run mental health programs is to provide person-centered, recovery-oriented services to persons
with mental illness that promote wellness and provide employment assistance where appropriate.
Consumer Voices Are Born is a consumer-run program in Clark County. Washington State also
contains a number of clubhouse programs for persons with mental illness which provide
consumer-driven recovery-oriented services, and may or may not be consumer- and family-run
programs.
Washington State's Medicaid state plan does not currently allow for Medicaid dollars to be spent
on consumer- and family-run mental health services.
Summary of Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services must prepare a report on strategies for developing consumer- and family-run services. The plan must include amendment of the mental health waiver and state plan, and identification of funding and resources needed for implementation of services. The report must be developed in cooperation with mental health consumers and family members, and must be provided to the Legislature by January 1, 2009.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: These programs work, and we need to find a way to capture Medicaid dollars for them. Consumers helping other consumers will give a big return back to Washington State. These services change lives, and prevent people from being in jail, involuntarily committed to the hospital, or on the street.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hinkle, prime sponsor; Patty King, Statewide Action for Family Empowerment (SAFE) Washington; David Lord, Disability Rights Washington; Jesse Levine, Lisa Coleman, Hero House.