FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6570

PARTIAL VETO

C 327 L 20

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning law enforcement officer mental health and wellness.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators King, Saldaña, Wagoner, Lovelett and Wilson, C.).

Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care

Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act is a federal act passed by Congress in 2017. One outcome of this act was two reports to Congress by the Department of Justice that were released in 2019: the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act: Report to Congress, which contains 22 recommendations, and Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies. Recommendations from the report include utilization of crisis hotlines, mental health checks, peer services, and resiliency training programs.

Summary: The Department of Health (DOH) must convene a task force on law enforcement officer health and wellness. Members of the task force must include:

• the secretary of DOH or their designee;

• the director of the Health Care Authority or their designee;

• the chief of the Washington State Patrol or their designee;

• the secretary of the Department of Corrections or their designee;

• a representative of the Forefront Suicide Prevention Program at the University of Washington;

• the executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission or their designee;

• a psychiatrist;

• a representative of local public health;

• a representative of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs;

• a representative of the Washington State Fraternal Order of the Police;

• a representative of the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs;

• a representative of the Washington State Troopers Association;

• a representative of the Washington State Patrol Lieutenants and Captains Association;

• a representative of tribal law enforcement;

• an association representing community behavioral health agencies;

• an association representing mental health providers; and

• an association representing substance use disorder treatment providers.

A representative of DOH must chair the task force, which shall at a minimum meet quarterly. The task force must review specified sources of data, recommendations, and options to improve the behavioral health status of law enforcement officers and reduce the prevalence of mental health disorder and suicide risk. The task force must report recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2021.

Votes on Final Passage:

Partial Veto Summary:

• Removed provisions requiring the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to award grants to support three pilot projects for behavioral health improvement and suicide prevention for law enforcement officers.