SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5918

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Human Services & Corrections, February 28, 1995

Title:  An act relating to a single system of accountability for the mental health service delivery system.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for a single system of accountability for the mental health service delivery system.

Sponsors:  Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Quigley, Prentice, Rasmussen and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/21/95, 2/28/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5918 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Fairley, Kohl, Long, Moyer, Palmer, Prentice, Schow, Smith and Strannigan.

Staff:  Dennis Martin (786-7403)

Background:  In 1994, legislation was enacted requiring the Department of Social and Health Services to establish a project streamlining accountability systems for mental health programs.  The project is to be implemented in at least two regional support networks by July 1995 with full statewide implementation by July 1997.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services is required to proceed with the project to streamline accountability systems which affect the community mental health service delivery system.

The definition of community mental health service delivery system includes agencies that specifically provide services for persons with mental disorders and receive funding from various federal or state sources.

The department is required to make systematic efforts to include state, federal, and local funds into the single system of accountability.  

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill contains an emergency clause.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 15, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The programs and funds which are to be included in the accountability project are clarified. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David Hanig, Division of Mental Health, DSHS; Larry Keller, Kitsap Mental Health Services (pro).