SB 5434-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Revises the community mental health services act with regard to the insufficient capacity at eastern and western state hospitals to meet current and growing demand for services and patients.

Requires the department of social and health services and the entities identified in RCW 71.24.310 and 71.24.380 (sections 2 and 3 of this act) to: (1) Work with willing community hospitals to assess their capacity to become certified to provide long-term mental health placements and to meet the requirements of the community mental health services act; and

(2) Enter into contracts and payment arrangements with the hospitals choosing to provide long-term mental health placements.