HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 646

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Winsley, H. Sommers, R. King, Leonard and Sanders; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Establishing an alcoholism and drug addiction treatment and shelter program.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

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

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Majority Report:     The substitute bill by Committee on Human Services be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (26)

     Signed by Representatives Grimm, Chair; Bristow, Vice Chair; Allen, Appelwick, Basich, Braddock, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Hine, Holland, Locke, Madsen, McLean, McMullen, Nealey, Niemi, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Schoon, L. Smith, H. Sommers, Sprenkle, B. Williams and Winsley.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.  (2)

     Signed by Representatives Belcher and Brekke.

House Staff:    Sandi Gray (786-7154)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 19, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Caseloads in the state General Assistance-Unemployable program have been rising at a higher percentage rate than any other public assistance program.  Most of the growth is due a rapid increase in persons receiving assistance due to drug or alcohol abuse.  In order to more efficiently utilize state funds for general assistance and to provide more appropriate services to current and future recipients, it is suggested that persons who are unemployable due to drug or alcohol addiction be provided direct shelter and treatment services instead of cash assistance under the General Assistance Program.

SUMMARY:

The Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Program is established for those incapacitated due to drug/alcohol addiction.  This population will no longer be covered under the General Assistance-Unemployable program.  The treatment and support program shall include assessment, treatment, shelter, assistance in application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and medical care.  The Department of Social and Health Services shall provide client assessment services including diagnostic evaluation, arranging admission to treatment or shelter programs and assisting with SSI applications.  Treatment services include inpatient, recovery house and outpatient services and are limited to six months in any two year period with allowance for exceptions to the time limit.

The counties may establish a diagnostic/detention center to handle the assessment services and utilize department funds for assessment, detoxification, involuntary detention and involuntary treatment for the purposes of the diagnostic/detention center.

The protective payee statute is amended to allow a fee set by rule for the administrative costs of serving as a protective payee.  The fee is not to be deducted from a public assistance recipient's grant.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  Shelter is defined as an essential service to prevent homelessness and meet the needs of indigent drug and alcohol addicted persons.  The eligibility requirements for the treatment and shelter program are to be the same as for the General Assistance program.  The department is required to provide shelter for persons eligible for the treatment and shelter program.  The department is required to adopt by rule medical criteria for General Assistance eligibility and not terminate a recipient absent a material improvement in their medical or mental condition or specific error in the eligibility determination.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     (Human Services)  Jerry Reilly and Bernice Moorehead, Department of Social and Health Services; Tom Byers, Mayor's Office, City of Seattle; Philip Showstead, King County Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Glen Miller, Bureau of Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Michael Tretton, Central Area Community Alcohol and Substance Abuse System; Joan Kauffman, Seattle Indian Health Board; and Linda Grant, Association of Alcoholism Programs.  (The following spoke in favor of, but had concerns:  Tony Lee, Catholic Charities, Catholic Conference; Dinnen Cleary, Puget Sound Legal Assistance Foundation; Barbara Baker, Evergreen Legal Services; Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees; and Ralph Speare, Citizen.)

(Ways & Means)  Gerald Reilly, Assistant Secretary, Department of Social and Health Services; Joan Walters, City of Seattle.

House Committee - Testified Against: (Human Services)  Tony Lee, Catholic Charities, Catholic Conference, Dinnen Cleary, Puget Sound Legal Assistance Foundation; Barbara Baker, Evergreen Legal Services; Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees; and Ralph Speare, Citizen. (All of these people spoke in favor of the bill with individual concerns.)

(Ways & Means)  Barbara Baker, Evergreen Legal Services.

House Committee - Testimony For:     (Human Services)  Increasing caseloads and decreasing state funds require that substantial changes be made in the General Assistance-Unemployable program.  The creation of the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support program will enhance appropriate service delivery to this population, assure that funds are utilized for basic needs, increase the successful SSI referral rate and reduce caseloads.

(Ways & Means)  Same as testimony given in Committee on Human Services.

House Committee - Testimony Against: (Human Services)  Labor is concerned about contracted services not utilizing state employees.  Due process language should be included in statute.  There are not enough total dollars available for the program.  The treatment and support program should remain an entitlement program within the General Assistance-Unemployable program.  Treatment must be appropriate for the client.

(Ways & Means)  Treatment and shelter should be provided within the general assistance program.  Excluding one portion of the general assistance population raises constitutionality questions.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Yeas 95; Nays 1; Excused 2

Voting Nay:     Representative Belcher

Excused:   Representative Moyer and Pruitt