SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5630

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, February 28, 2003

Title: An act relating to delivery of social and health services at the local level.

Brief Description: Requesting proposals to design a new administrative and service delivery infrastructure for local social and health services.

Sponsors: Senator Carlson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 2/11/03, 2/28/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5630 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: The social and health care delivery systems maintained by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operate as distinct funding sources for services delivered at the community level. There is a desire to support local initiatives that attempt to integrate social and health services and establish new organizational entities that provide more efficient services.

Summary of Substitute Bill: DSHS must consider proposals for a five-year pilot project. The proposals are for the design of a new infrastructure for supporting and managing social and health services at a local level. If a proposal is considered, DSHS must consolidate all contracts providing services for the counties covered by the proposal. DSHS must submit proposed changes to statute and budget, based on the proposals, to the Legislature by January 15, 2004.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: DSHS must consider proposals for pilot programs, as opposed to requiring DSHS to issue requests for proposals for pilot programs. If a proposal is considered, DSHS must consolidate all contracts providing services for the counties covered by the proposal. The substitute specifies that nothing in the bill permits decategorization of funds.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Testimony indicated that more specific local control was favorable.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Ed Hidano, DSHS; Michael Piper, Clark County; Bev Hermanson, WA Federation of State Employees; Mike Freeman, Citizen Advocate; Byron Manering, Brigid Collins Family Support Center.