Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services

HB 1124

Brief Description:  Evaluating mental health programs for children.

Sponsors:  Representatives Darneille, Morell, Tokuda, Campbell, Hunt, Kagi, Miloscia, Ballasiotes, Veloria, Linville, Dickerson, Edwards, Kenney, O'Brien, Keiser, Edmonds, Schual‑Berke, Jackley, Lovick, Santos, McIntire and Haigh.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The legislature declares the intent that all of the state=s children in need of mental health care will be served by the year 2006.

$The Regional Support Networks (RSNs) are required to update their children=s mental health service plan every six months.

$JLARC is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the statewide children=s mental health services plan, and to assess the overall needs and adequacy of resources available to children with mental illness.

Hearing Date:  1/25/01

Staff:  Deborah Frazier (786‑7152).

Background: 

Studies suggest that children with mental illness are not receiving the services they need.

Under contract with the Mental Health Division of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the fourteen Regional Support Networks (RSNs) are responsible for the provision of mental health services to low income persons and all persons in crisis.  The RSNs are required by statute to have developed a plan for children=s mental health services delivery.

The Office of Financial Management is required to prepare and submit to the legislature biennially an inventory of state and federal programs  providing mental health services to children.  The inventory is required to include a number of specific elements.

The Office of Financial Management also is required to have prepared and submitted to the Legislature a plan for the use of early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT) services to assist children with mental illness.  EPSDT is a Medicaid funded service intended to provide early intervention in children=s health.  The plan is required to have a number of features, including screening criteria, qualifications for children=s mental health providers and mechanisms to assure the receipt of federal matching funds for the services provided.

Summary of Bill: 

The legislature declares the intent that all of the state=s children in need of mental health care will be served by the year 2006.

The Regional Support Networks (RSNs) are required to update their children=s mental health service plan, and give an assessment of their progress toward goals, every six months.

The secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to compile the RSN service plans into a statewide report and submit the report to the Legislature every six months.

The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) is required to review the current inventory of services created every two years by the Office of Financial Management, and, to review the early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT) plan.  JLARC is required to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2002 on the completeness, implementation and needed modifications to the inventory and the EPSDT plan.

The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of  the statewide report on children=s mental health services compiled by the Secretary of DSHS.  JLARC is required to assess the overall needs and resources available to children with mental illness,  to recommend modifications to the children=s mental health services system, and to recommend the funding needed to implement the Legislature=s intent.  The evaluation is due by July 1, 2002.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 17, 2001.