NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The authority, in consultation with the department of children, youth, and families, shall develop a training for parents of children and transition age youth with substance use disorders by June 30, 2024, addressing the following:
(a) Science and education related to substance use disorders;
(b) Adaptive and functional communication strategies for communication with a loved one about their substance use disorder, including positive communication skills and strategies to influence motivation and behavioral change;
(c) Self-care and means of obtaining support; and
(d) Means to obtain opioid overdose reversal medication when appropriate and instruction on proper use.
(2) The authority and the department of children, youth, and families shall make this training publicly available, and the department of children, youth, and families must promote the training to licensed foster parents and caregivers, including any tribally licensed foster parents and tribal caregivers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. A new section is added to chapter
43.216 RCW to read as follows:
The department must make opioid overdose reversal medication available for use by caseworkers or employees that may come in contact with individuals experiencing overdose and must make appropriate training available.
Part VII – Data Support for Recovery Navigator Programs
NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. To support recovery navigator programs, the health care authority must develop and implement a data integration platform by June 30, 2024, to serve as a common database available for diversion efforts across the state, to serve as a data collection and management tool for practitioners, and to assist in standardizing definitions and practices. If possible, the health care authority must leverage and interact with existing platforms already in use in efforts funded by the authority. The health care authority must establish a quality assurance process for behavioral health administrative services organizations, and employ data validation for fields in the data collection workbook. The health care authority must engage and consult with the law enforcement assisted diversion national support bureau on data integration approaches, platforms, quality assurance protocols, and validation practices.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 25. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The authority shall contract with the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study of the long-term effectiveness of the recovery navigator program under RCW
71.24.115 with reports due by June 30th in the years 2028, 2033, and 2038. The Washington state institute for public policy shall collaborate with the authority, the law enforcement assisted diversion national support bureau, and the substance use recovery services advisory committee under RCW
71.24.546 on the topic of data collection and to determine the parameters of the report, which shall include recommendations, if any, for modification and improvement of the recovery navigator program. The law enforcement assisted diversion national support bureau may supplement the report with additional recommendations to improve the recovery navigator program by enhancing its ability to provide a viable, accepted, community-based care alternative to jail and prosecution. The authority shall cooperate with the Washington state institute for public policy to provide data for this report.
(2) The authority shall establish an expedited preapproval process by August 1, 2023, which allows requests for the use of data to be forwarded to the Washington state institutional review board without delay when the request is made by the Washington state institute for public policy for the purpose of completing a study that has been directed by the legislature.
Part VIII – Establishing Rules and Payment Structures for Health Engagement Hubs
NEW SECTION. Sec. 26. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The authority shall develop payment structures for health engagement hubs by January 1, 2025.
(2) A health engagement hub:
(a) Serves as an all-in-one location where people who use drugs can access a range of medical, harm reduction, treatment, and social services. A health engagement hub may not provide supervised injection services;
(b) May be affiliated with existing syringe service programs, federally qualified health centers, community health centers, overdose prevention sites, safe consumption sites, patient-centered medical homes, tribal behavioral health programs, peer run organizations such as clubhouses, services for unhoused people, supportive housing, and opioid treatment programs including mobile and fixed-site medication units established under an opioid treatment program, or other appropriate entity;
(c) Provides referrals or access to methadone and other medications for opioid addiction;
(d) Functions as a patient-centered medical home by offering high-quality, cost-effective patient-centered care, including wound care;
(e) Provides harm reduction services and supplies;
(f) Provides linkage to housing, transportation, and other support services; and
(g) Is open to youth as well as adults.
(3) To the extent allowed under federal law, the authority shall direct medicaid managed care organizations to adopt a value-based bundled payment methodology in contracts with health engagement hubs and other opioid treatment providers.
(4) The authority shall make sufficient funding available to ensure that a health engagement hub is available within a two-hour drive for all communities and that there is at least one health engagement hub available per 200,000 residents in Washington state.
Part IX – Education and Employment Pathways
NEW SECTION. Sec. 27. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
Subject to funding provided for this specific purpose, the authority shall establish a grant program for providers of employment, education, training, certification, and other supportive programs designed to provide persons recovering from a substance use disorder with employment opportunities. The grant program shall employ a low-barrier application and give priority to programs that engage with black, indigenous, persons of color, and other historically underserved communities.
Part X – Providing a Statewide Directory of Recovery Services
NEW SECTION. Sec. 28. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
Subject to funding provided for this specific purpose, the authority must collaborate with the department and the department of social and health services to expand the Washington recovery helpline and the recovery readiness asset tool to provide a dynamically updated statewide behavioral health treatment and recovery support services mapping tool that includes a robust resource database for those seeking services and a referral system to be incorporated within the locator tool to help facilitate the connection between an individual and a facility that is currently accepting new referrals. The tool must include dual interface capability, one for public access and one for internal use and management.
Part XI – Investing Adequately in Statewide Diversion Services
NEW SECTION. Sec. 29. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the authority shall:
(1) Continue and expand efforts to provide opioid use disorder medication in city, county, regional, and tribal jails;
(2) Provide support funds to new and established department of health certified clubhouses throughout the state;
(3) Award grants to an equivalent number of crisis services providers to the west and the east of the Cascade mountains, to establish and expand 23-hour crisis relief center capacity;
(4) Maintain a memorandum of understanding with the criminal justice training commission to provide ongoing funding for community grants pursuant to RCW
36.28A.450; and
(5) Provide ongoing grants to law enforcement assistant diversion programs under RCW
71.24.589.
Part XII – Streamlining Substance Use Disorder Treatment Intakes
NEW SECTION. Sec. 30. A new section is added to chapter
71.24 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The authority shall convene a work group to recommend changes to systems, policies, and processes related to intake, screening, and assessment for substance use disorder services, with the goal to broaden the workforce capable of processing intakes and to make the intake process as brief as possible, including only what is necessary to manage utilization and initiate care. The intake shall be low barrier, person-centered, and amenable to administration in diverse health care settings and by a range of health care professionals. The intake assessment shall consider the person's self-identified needs and preferences when evaluating direction of treatment and may include different components based on the setting, context, and past experience with the client.
(2) The work group must include care providers, payors, people who use drugs, and other individuals recommended by the authority. The work group shall present its recommendations to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2024.
Part XIII - Miscellaneous Provisions
NEW SECTION. Sec. 31. Section 7 of this act takes effect January 1, 2025.
Sec. 32. 2021 c 311 s 29 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
Sections 8 through 10((,))and 12((, 15, and 16)) of this act expire July 1, 2023.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 33. Sections 2 through 6, 8 through 12, and 32 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2023.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 34. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected."
EFFECT: Makes the following changes to the underlying bill:
(1) Reclassifies the offenses of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a counterfeit substance as misdemeanors, rather than gross misdemeanors.
(2) Provides that knowing possession and use of a controlled substance, counterfeit substance, or legend drug in a public place constitutes a misdemeanor offense, subject to certain exceptions.
(3) Provides that, upon arraignment for applicable drug offenses, the court is required to determine whether the defendant has been advised by the defendant's attorney about pretrial diversion, rather than give such advisement directly to the defendant.
(4) Eliminates the specific appropriation made for the Washington state patrol related to testing evidence submitted for suspected drug offenses within 45 days, and instead makes such testing requirements subject to the availability of funds.
(5) Provides that the prohibition on selling or permitting the sale of drug paraphernalia does not apply to distribution of certain supplies by outreach, shelter, and housing programs.
(6) Provides that the state occupies and preempts the field of drug paraphernalia regulation.
(7) Modifies provisions related to pretrial diversions for certain drug offenses, including by:
• Expanding the circumstances when pretrial diversion is available to include when a person is charged with knowing possession and use of a controlled substance, counterfeit substance, or legend drug in a public place;
• Providing that a court may not grant a motion for pretrial diversion without the prosecuting attorney's consent;
• Encouraging prosecuting attorneys to divert cases meeting certain criteria;
• Providing that, if the prosecuting attorney consents, the court must grant a motion for pretrial diversion in circumstances when the defendant is only charged with a particular drug offense, and the defendant has not been convicted of any offenses committed after July 1, 2023;
• Requiring the court to provide the defendant and the defendant's counsel with specific information prior to granting a motion for pretrial diversion;
• Requiring the state to make resources available to assist applicable defendants with scheduling, rather than obtaining, a substance use disorder (SUD) evaluation or expedited assessment within seven days of the defendant's agreement to participate in pretrial diversion;
• Requiring the court, when necessary and to the extent reasonably possible, to provide an applicable defendant with a list of available resources to assist the defendant with securing transportation to a SUD evaluation;
• Providing that an SUD counseling agency, rather than treatment program, must make a written report to the court stating its findings and recommendations, and that such report must be filed under seal with the court, with a copy given to certain parties;
• Exempting the written report and its copies from disclosure under the public records act;
• Requiring the court to endeavor to avoid public discussion of certain stigmatizing topics;
• Limiting when the prosecuting attorney may make a motion for termination from pretrial diversion to when it appears that the defendant is not meaningfully engaging in the recommended treatment or services; and
• Providing that successful completion of pretrial diversion includes substantial engagement, rather than compliance, with assessment, recommended treatment, or services.
(8) Modifies provisions related to sentencing requirements for certain drug offenses, including by:
• Expanding the circumstances when a court is required to impose certain sentences and conditions for drug offense convictions to include when a person convicted of knowing possession and use of a controlled substance, counterfeit substance, or legend drug in a public place agrees to obtain an SUD assessment and recommended treatment or services as a condition of probation;
• Providing that the state, rather than the court, must assist the defendant in scheduling, rather than obtaining, a substance use disorder evaluation or expedited assessment within seven days of the defendant's agreement;
• Eliminating the provisions requiring the court to grant a person credit for all confinement time served presentencing for certain drug offenses when such confinement was solely in regard to the offense for which the person is being sentenced;
• Eliminating the 21-day mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of certain drug offenses who refuse to obtain an SUD assessment and recommended treatment or services as a condition of probation;
• Requiring the court, when necessary and to the extent reasonably possible, to provide an applicable defendant with a list of available resources to assist the defendant with securing transportation to a SUD evaluation as a part of an agreed term of probation;
• Providing that a licensed SUD services or counseling program, rather than a treatment program, must prepare an SUD assessment, rather than a diagnostic evaluation and treatment recommendation, as a part of probationary conditions imposed on applicable persons;
• Requiring the court to determine whether an applicable person, based on the person's SUD assessment, must be required to complete sustained services from a licensed behavioral health care provider, peer counseling program, or other case management program, rather than complete intensive treatment in an approved treatment program;
• Modifying the specific information that must be included in an applicable person's SUD assessment;
• Requiring the court to confirm that an applicable person's service provider consents to providing the court with, at a minimum, monthly updates on the person's progress on a schedule acceptable to the court;
• Requiring meaningful engagement, rather than compliance, with treatment or services as a condition of probation for applicable persons;
• Providing that only the prosecuting attorney, rather than the prosecuting attorney or the court, must make a motion for a hearing to consider sanctions when it appears that an applicable person is not meaningfully engaging in treatment or services;
• Eliminating the mandatory minimum sanctions that the court must impose if it finds that an applicable person has willfully abandoned or demonstrated a consistent failure to meaningfully participate in treatment or services; and
• Requiring the court to terminate probation and enter an order vacating an applicable person's conviction upon verification that the person successfully completed treatment and services.
(9) Provides that if a person convicted of certain drug offenses successfully completes an SUD treatment or services program and files proof of completion, the prosecuting attorney must make a motion to vacate the person's conviction or convictions, and the court must grant the motion upon verifying successful completion.
(10) Requires the administrative office of the courts (AOC) to collect data and information, and submit an annual report, on the following:
• The recidivism rate for persons who participate in pretrial diversion or agree to obtain a substance use disorder assessment and participate in recommended treatment or services as a condition of probation for certain drug offenses; and
• The utilization and outcomes of specific forms of pretrial diversion, sentencing, and postconviction relief for certain drug offenses.
(11) Requires the AOC, in cooperation with the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, to collect data, and submit on annual report, on information related to reported violations of certain drug offenses responded to by law enforcement.
(12) Provides that harm reduction programs include programs that offer low threshold options for accessing SUD treatment and other services, rather than other health care services.
(13) Eliminates the requirement for the Department of Health (DOH) to hold a public hearing before making a decision on an application for licensing or certifying an opioid treatment program.
(14) Eliminates the amendatory provisions related to the reporting obligations of behavioral health or service providers, and the authority of the prosecuting attorney to file charges, when an applicable person diverted to a provider violates the terms of the diversion.
(15) Eliminates the provision creating a right to court-appointed counsel for certain parenting plan or child custody proceedings.
(16) Codifies the provision related to the health care authority (HCA) and the department of children, youth, and families' training for parents of children with SUDs in chapter
71.24 RCW, rather than in chapter
43.216 RCW.
(17) Requires the HCA to engage and consult with the law enforcement assisted diversion national support bureau (LEAD National Support Bureau) on data integration approaches, platforms, quality assurance protocols, and validation practices for the HCA's development and implementation of a data integration platform to support recovery navigator programs.
(18) Modifies the Washington state institute for public policy's contracted study on the long-term effectiveness of recovery navigator programs to also include collaboration with and supplementation from the LEAD national support bureau.
(19) Eliminates the specific appropriations made for the HCA related to funding for opioid use disorder medication, DOH certified clubhouses, 23-hour crisis relief centers, certain community grants, and LEAD programs, and instead makes those provisions subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
(20) Provides that the amendatory provisions related to certain drug offenses, and the provisions related to the AOC's data and information collection and reports, are effective July 1, 2023.
(21) Adds a severability clause.
(22) Modifies language in the intent section.
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