SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            SB 6408

 

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994

 

 

Brief Description:  Including tribal authorities in mental health systems.

 

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

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley and Winsley.

 

Staff:  Don Sloma (786‑7319)

 

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1994

 

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 be party to such a joint operating agreement.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The term "tribal authority" includes a federally recognized Indian tribe or a major Indian organization recognized by the Secretary 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.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  available

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

The bill will improve coordination and access to mental health services for Indians in our state.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Gabriel Landry, DSHS; David Hanig, DSHS; Randy Scott, Quinault Indian Nation, Colville Federated Tribes; Virginia Penn, Chehalis Tribe

 

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

 

A technical amendment is added to limit the definition of "tribal authority" only to those fitting the terms of the bill.