BILL REQ. #:  S-0483.3 

Read first time 01/21/13.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to forming a task force for reform of the state mental health system; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) The legislature shall convene a task force to examine reform of the mental health system, with members as provided in this subsection.
     (i) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
     (ii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives.
     (iii) The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives jointly shall appoint five members consisting of the secretary of the department of social and health services or the secretary's designee, a representative of law enforcement, a representative of a regional support network, a representative of treatment providers, and a consumer or family representative.
     (b) The task force shall choose two cochairs from among its legislative members.
     (2) The task force shall undertake a systemwide review of the public mental health system and make recommendations for reform concerning, but not limited to, the following:
     (a) The means by which services are delivered for adults with serious mental illness;
     (b) Availability of effective means to promote recovery and prevent harm associated with mental illness;
     (c) Crisis services; and
     (d) Public safety practices involving persons with mental illness with forensic involvement.
     (3) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (4) The expenses of the task force must be paid jointly by the senate and house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (5) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2014.
     (6) This section expires June 1, 2014.