HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1383

BYRepresentatives Leonard and Lux

Changing provisions relating to alcoholism treatment programs.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Anderson, Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland and Winsley.

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Social and Health Services certifies drug treatment centers and alcohol treatment facilities for rehabilitating persons suffering problems related to alcohol and drug abuse. The Department verifies documentation submitted by the treatment center relating to the qualifications of the staff who provide treatment, but the Department has no authority to evaluate the competency of alcohol or drug counselors individually as part of its responsibility for assuring the adequacy of care, treatment and rehabilitation.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Secretary of the Department is given authority to enter into agreements for monitoring of verifications of qualifications of drug and alcohol counselors. In effect, the department will recognize certification of counselors as evidence of their competency.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Authority to verify qualifications of counselors is specifically referenced and clarified.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Thelma Struck, Department of Social and Health Services; and Linda Grant, Director, Alcohol and Addiction Programs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Bill Bean, Private Citizen.

House Committee - Testimony For:    An attorney-general opinion found the Department of Social and Health Services had no authority to recognize certification of drug and alcohol counselors by their peer professional organizations as evidence of competency.  This authority is necessary in order to approve treatment centers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The department should not be given authority to certify alcohol or drug counselors who have their own standards.