HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6408

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to including tribal authorities in mental health systems.

Brief Description:  Including tribal authorities in mental health systems.

Sponsors:  Senators Spanel, Owen, Prentice, Sheldon, Fraser and Hargrove.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, February 23, 1994, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Caver; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson and Wolfe.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background: Under current law, a county or a group of counties whose population is greater than 40,000 persons may enter a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network to plan, organize and deliver mental health services according to a contract with the state Department of Social and Health Services.

Under current law, no statutory requirement exists for a tribal authority to be party to such a joint operating agreement.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The term "tribal authority" is defined as a federally recognized Native American tribe or a major Native American organization recognized by the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services.

Upon their request, a tribal authority must be included as a party to a joint operating agreement to establish a regional support network.  The joint operating agreement must include a determination of tribal authority membership on the governing board and advisory boards and must include provision for culturally competent services to the tribes served.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A technical amendment to ensure internal consistency in the definition section was adopted.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Tribal authorities should be allowed to participate in mental health planning and service delivery.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Randy Scott, Quinault, Colville and Lummi Tribes (pro); David Hanig, Department of Social and Health Services (pro); and Gabriel Landry, Department of Social and Health Services (pro).