Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

SSB 5986

Brief Description:  Regulating county or local government‑owned psychiatric facilities.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kastama, Long, Regala and Hargrove).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$A county or municipal hospital establishing an institution serving mentally ill or chemically dependent persons must be licensed by the Department of Health.

Hearing Date:  3/29/01

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background: 

In the summer of 2000, Puget Sound Hospital in Pierce County filed bankruptcy.  The Pierce County Regional Support Network (PCRSN) purchased the Puget Sound Hospital facility.  PCRSN intends to convert the facility from a fully-licensed acute care hospital into a mental health and chemical dependency evaluation and treatment facility.

Current law requires that a person, association, or corporation establishing an institution, including a hospital or sanitarium, which cares for patients with mental illness or chemical dependency for compensation must be licensed by the Department of Health.  The operation of an unlicensed institution is a misdemeanor.

There is no specific licensing requirement  for a public entity, such as a county or municipal hospital, establishing an institution for serving patients with mental illness or chemical dependency.

Summary of Bill: 

A county or municipal hospital establishing an institution serving mentally ill or chemically dependent persons must be licensed by the Department of Health.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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