5522-S.E AMH HC KNUT 4

ESSB 5522 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Health Care

     On page 10, line 7, after "(2)" strike all material through "act." and insert the following:  "The legislature intends that federal medicaid requirements be met.         

     (3)The legislature intends that the implementation and operation of the state mental health ombudsman program shall have no additional fiscal impact for the first two years of the program, and that:

     (a) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall expend no more than:

     (i)   The amount annually expended for mental health ombudsman and quality review team services, and related administration, by regional support networks, and state hospitals and their subcontractors, pursuant to contracts with the department of social and health services;

     (ii) The amount annually expended by the mental health division of the department of social and health services in staff support, monitoring oversight, and subcontracted training and consultation for community mental health ombudsman and quality review team services and state hospital mental health patient advocate or ombudsman-related services.

     (b) Costs and expenses, as referenced in this section, must include any and all expenses associated with the implementation and operation of the state mental health ombudsman program by the department of community, trade, and economic development, the office of mental health ombudsman, and its contractors or subcontractors. Any costs incurred in the planning and implementation of the state mental health ombudsman program while services are still being provided within the regional support networks and state hospitals must be made up out of the next fiscal year’s total amount of the interagency agreement between the department of community, trade, and economic development with the department of social and health services.

     (c)   Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent the solicitation and use of private funds by the office of mental health ombudsman. Any funds received from private sources may be expended in excess of the limitations imposed in this section.

Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

EFFECT:  Clarifies that making the systems change to a statewide mental health ombudsman program must entail no fiscal impact. Specifies that private monies solicited by the office of mental health ombudsman are not subject to limits on spending.