HB 2357 - DIGEST

Provides that regional support networks who are in excess of their individual allocated census at the state hospital shall be assessed liquidated damages. The amount of liquidated damages shall be the number of beds over the individual allocated census multiplied by three hundred percent of the state hospital daily bed charge established under RCW 43.20B.325.

Provides that liquidated damages collected under RCW 71.24.300(1)(e) shall be collected by the department and shall be used in the following order: (1) To reimburse the state for use of state hospitals at a rate equal to that assumed by the legislature when appropriating funds for such care at state hospitals during the biennium when reimbursement occurs;

(2) To reimburse regional support networks who have not exceeded and are unable to utilize their individual allocated census at the state hospital, for the costs associated with providing inpatient treatment in a community hospital; and, to the extent any funds remain,

(3) To allow regional support networks who have exceeded their individual allocated census at the state hospital, to apply for funds to develop local inpatient or hospital diversion capacity to reduce their over reliance on the state hospital.