SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1252

As of March 21, 2001

Title:  An act relating to faith‑based chemical dependency treatment programs.

Brief Description:  Exempting faith‑based chemical dependency treatment programs from state regulation.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Boldt, Mulliken, Schindler and Lambert).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/22/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Robert Antanaitis (786-7452)

Background:  Residential and outpatient chemical dependency treatment programs may choose to be regulated by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  Certification of treatment programs is voluntary.  Programs that include a religious component must make participation in that aspect of the program voluntary in order to be certified.

State and federal treatment funding is currently limited to programs certified by DSHS.

Summary of Bill:  The term ?religious organization@ is defined.

Faith-based chemical dependency programs are required to conspicuously display a statement which explains that the services provided are exclusively religious in nature.  A person entering such a program is required to sign a declaration stating that he or she understands the religious and nonmedical nature of the services offered by the program.

State or federal benefits may not be denied to a person because the person is participating in a licensed faith-based residential chemical dependency treatment program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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