FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 6408

                          C 204 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Including tribal authorities in mental health systems.

SPONSORS: Senators Spanel, Owen, Prentice, Sheldon, Fraser and Hargrove

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

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 (RSN) 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:

The term "tribal authority" is defined as a federally recognized Indian tribe or a major Indian organization recognized by the Secretary of Social and Health Services.

Upon 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.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    42   0

House     95   0    (House amended)

Senate    44   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994