BILL REQ. #: H-0571.3
State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2005 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/20/2005. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to community mental health services; amending RCW 71.24.025, 71.24.030, 71.24.045, 71.24.100, 71.24.110, 71.24.300, 71.24.420, and 71.05.020; reenacting and amending RCW 71.24.015 and 71.24.035; creating new sections; making appropriations; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1 RCW 71.24.015 and 2001 c 334 s 6 and 2001 c 323 s 1 are
each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
It is the intent of the legislature to establish a community mental
health program which shall help people experiencing mental illness to
retain a respected and productive position in the community. This will
be accomplished through ((programs)) resilience and recovery-based
programs, including recognized evidence-based practices which provide
for:
(1) Access to mental health services for adults of the state who
are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, or seriously
disturbed and children of the state who are acutely mentally ill,
severely emotionally disturbed, or seriously disturbed, which services
recognize the special needs of underserved populations, including
minorities, children, the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons.
Access to mental health services shall not be limited by a person's
history of confinement in a state, federal, or local correctional
facility. It is also the purpose of this chapter to promote the early
identification of mentally ill children and to ensure that they receive
the mental health care and treatment which is appropriate to their
developmental level. This care should improve home, school, and
community functioning, maintain children in a safe and nurturing home
environment, and should enable treatment decisions to be made in
response to clinical needs in accordance with sound professional
judgment while also recognizing parents' rights to participate in
treatment decisions for their children;
(2) Accountability of efficient and effective services through
state of the art outcome and performance measures and statewide
standards for monitoring client and system outcomes, performance, and
reporting of client and system outcome information. These processes
shall be designed so as to maximize the use of available resources for
direct care of people with a mental illness;
(3) Minimum service delivery standards;
(4) Priorities for the use of available resources for the care of
the mentally ill consistent with the priorities defined in the statute;
(5) Coordination of services within the department, including those
divisions within the department that provide services to children,
between the department and the office of the superintendent of public
instruction, and among state mental hospitals, county authorities,
community mental health services, and other support services, which
shall to the maximum extent feasible also include the families of the
mentally ill, and other service providers; and
(6) Coordination of services aimed at reducing duplication in
service delivery and promoting complementary services among all
entities that provide mental health services to adults and children.
It is the policy of the state to encourage the provision of a full
range of treatment and rehabilitation services in the state for mental
disorders. The legislature intends to encourage the development of
((county-based and county-managed)) regional mental health services
with adequate local flexibility to assure eligible people in need of
care access to the least-restrictive treatment alternative appropriate
to their needs, and the availability of treatment components to assure
continuity of care. To this end, ((counties are encouraged to enter
into joint operating agreements with other counties to form)) regional
systems of care ((which)) will integrate planning, administration, and
service delivery duties ((assigned to counties)) under chapters 71.05
and 71.24 RCW to consolidate administration, reduce administrative
layering, and reduce administrative costs.
It is further the intent of the legislature to integrate the
provision of services to provide continuity of care through all phases
of treatment. To this end the legislature intends to promote active
engagement with mentally ill persons and collaboration between families
and service providers.
Sec. 2 RCW 71.24.025 and 2001 c 323 s 8 are each amended to read
as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in
this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to a
short-term severe crisis episode of:
(a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case
of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
(b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the
case of a child, a gravely disabled minor as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
or
(c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW
71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020.
(2) "Available resources" means funds appropriated for the purpose
of providing community mental health programs ((under RCW 71.24.045)),
federal funds, except those provided according to Title XIX of the
Social Security Act, and state funds appropriated under this chapter or
chapter 71.05 RCW by the legislature during any biennium for the
purpose of providing residential services, resource management
services, community support services, and other mental health services.
This does not include funds appropriated for the purpose of operating
and administering the state psychiatric hospitals, except as negotiated
according to RCW 71.24.300(1)(e).
(3) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.
(4) "Chronically mentally ill adult" means an adult who has a
mental disorder and meets at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a
mental disorder within the preceding two years; or
(b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or
residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the
preceding year; or
(c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity
by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous
period of not less than twelve months. "Substantial gainful activity"
shall be defined by the department by rule consistent with Public Law
92-603, as amended.
(5) "Community mental health program" means all mental health
services, activities, or programs using available resources.
(6) "Community mental health service delivery system" means public
or private agencies that provide services specifically to persons with
mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020 and receive funding
from public sources.
(7) "Community support services" means services authorized,
planned, and coordinated through resource management services
including, at a minimum, assessment, diagnosis, emergency crisis
intervention available twenty-four hours, seven days a week,
prescreening determinations for mentally ill persons being considered
for placement in nursing homes as required by federal law, screening
for patients being considered for admission to residential services,
diagnosis and treatment for acutely mentally ill and severely
emotionally disturbed children discovered under screening through the
federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and
treatment program, investigation, legal, and other nonresidential
services under chapter 71.05 RCW, case management services, psychiatric
treatment including medication supervision, counseling, psychotherapy,
assuring transfer of relevant patient information between service
providers, recovery services, and other services determined by regional
support networks.
(8) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners,
county council, or county executive having authority to establish a
community mental health program, or two or more of the county
authorities specified in this subsection which have entered into an
agreement to provide a community mental health program.
(9) "Department" means the department of social and health
services.
(10) "Licensed service provider" means an entity licensed according
to this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW or an entity deemed to meet state
minimum standards as a result of accreditation by a recognized
behavioral health accrediting body recognized and having a current
agreement with the department, that meets state minimum standards or
individuals licensed under chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.83, or 18.79 RCW,
as it applies to registered nurses and advanced registered nurse
practitioners.
(11) "Mental health services" means all services provided by
regional support networks and other services provided by the state for
the mentally ill.
(12) "Mentally ill persons" and "the mentally ill" mean persons and
conditions defined in subsections (1), (4), (((17))) (19), and (((18)))
(20) of this section.
(13) "Regional support network" means a county authority or group
of county authorities or other entity recognized by the secretary
((that enter into joint operating agreements to contract with the
secretary pursuant to this chapter)) through a department procurement
process.
(14) "Residential services" means a complete range of residences
and supports authorized by resource management services and which may
involve a facility, a distinct part thereof, or services which support
community living, for acutely mentally ill persons, chronically
mentally ill adults, severely emotionally disturbed children, or
seriously disturbed adults determined by the regional support network
to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. The
services shall include at least evaluation and treatment services as
defined in chapter 71.05 RCW, acute crisis respite care, long-term
adaptive and rehabilitative care, and supervised and supported living
services, and shall also include any residential services developed to
service mentally ill persons in nursing homes. Residential services
for children in out-of-home placements related to their mental disorder
shall not include the costs of food and shelter, except for children's
long-term residential facilities existing prior to January 1, 1991.
(15) "Recovery" means the process in which people are able to live,
work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
(16) "Resilience" means the personal and community qualities that
enable individuals to rebound from adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats,
or other stresses, and to live productive lives.
(17) "Resource management services" mean the planning,
coordination, and authorization of residential services and community
support services administered pursuant to an individual service plan
for: (a) Acutely mentally ill adults and children; (b) chronically
mentally ill adults; (c) severely emotionally disturbed children; or
(d) seriously disturbed adults determined solely by a regional support
network to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill.
Such planning, coordination, and authorization shall include mental
health screening for children eligible under the federal Title XIX
early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program.
Resource management services include seven day a week, twenty-four hour
a day availability of information regarding mentally ill adults' and
children's enrollment in services and their individual service plan to
county-designated mental health professionals, evaluation and treatment
facilities, and others as determined by the regional support network.
(((16))) (18) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health
services.
(((17))) (19) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:
(a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm to
himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a result
of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;
(b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less
restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two
years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental
health hospital;
(c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several
areas of daily living;
(d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or
(e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as
defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, as experiencing a mental disorder which
is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school
or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's personality
development and learning.
(((18))) (20) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" means a child
who has been determined by the regional support network to be
experiencing a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW,
including those mental disorders that result in a behavioral or conduct
disorder, that is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in
family or school or with peers and who meets at least one of the
following criteria:
(a) Has undergone inpatient treatment or placement outside of the
home related to a mental disorder within the last two years;
(b) Has undergone involuntary treatment under chapter 71.34 RCW
within the last two years;
(c) Is currently served by at least one of the following child-serving systems: Juvenile justice, child-protection/welfare, special
education, or developmental disabilities;
(d) Is at risk of escalating maladjustment due to:
(i) Chronic family dysfunction involving a mentally ill or
inadequate caretaker;
(ii) Changes in custodial adult;
(iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement
outside of the home, for example, psychiatric hospital, short-term
inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a
correctional facility;
(iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect;
(v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or
(vi) Homelessness.
(((19))) (21) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements
established by rules adopted by the secretary and necessary to
implement this chapter for: (a) Delivery of mental health services;
(b) licensed service providers for the provision of mental health
services; (c) residential services; and (d) community support services
and resource management services.
(((20))) (22) "Tribal authority," for the purposes of this section
and RCW 71.24.300 only, means: The federally recognized Indian tribes
and the major Indian organizations recognized by the secretary insofar
as these organizations do not have a financial relationship with any
regional support network that would present a conflict of interest.
Sec. 3 RCW 71.24.030 and 2001 c 323 s 9 are each amended to read
as follows:
The secretary is authorized to make grants to and/or purchase
services from ((counties or combinations of counties)) regional support
networks in the establishment and operation of community mental health
programs.
Sec. 4 RCW 71.24.035 and 2001 c 334 s 7 and 2001 c 323 s 10 are
each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) The department is designated as the state mental health
authority.
(2) The secretary shall provide for public, client, and licensed
service provider participation in developing the state mental health
program, developing contracts with regional support networks, and any
waiver request to the federal government under medicaid.
(3) The secretary shall provide for participation in developing the
state mental health program for children and other underserved
populations, by including representatives on any committee established
to provide oversight to the state mental health program.
(4) The secretary shall be designated as the ((county authority if
a county fails)) regional support network if the regional support
network fails to meet state minimum standards or refuses to exercise
responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045.
(5) The secretary shall:
(a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that
incorporates ((county)) regional biennial needs assessments and
((county)) regional mental health service plans and state services for
mentally ill adults and children. The secretary ((may)) shall also
develop a six-year state mental health plan;
(b) Assure that any regional ((or county)) community mental health
program provides access to treatment for the ((county's)) region's
residents in the following order of priority: (i) The acutely mentally
ill; (ii) chronically mentally ill adults and severely emotionally
disturbed children; and (iii) the seriously disturbed. Such programs
shall provide:
(A) Outpatient services;
(B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;
(C) ((Day treatment for mentally ill persons which includes
training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational
rehabilitation, and day activities. Such services may include
therapeutic treatment. In the case of a child, day treatment includes
age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and
prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;)) Screening for patients being considered for admission to
state mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of
admission;
(D)
(((E))) (D) Employment services, which may include supported
employment, transitional work, placement in competitive employment, and
other work-related services, that result in mentally ill persons
becoming engaged in meaningful and gainful full or part-time work((.
Other sources of funding such as the division of vocational
rehabilitation may be utilized by the secretary to maximize federal
funding and provide for integration of services;)); and
(F) Consultation and education services
(((G))) (E) Community support services;
(c) Develop and adopt rules establishing state minimum standards
for the delivery of mental health services pursuant to RCW 71.24.037
including, but not limited to:
(i) Licensed service providers. The secretary shall provide for
deeming of compliance with state minimum standards for those entities
accredited by recognized behavioral health accrediting bodies
recognized and having a current agreement with the department;
(ii) Regional support networks; and
(iii) Inpatient services, evaluation and treatment services and
facilities under chapter 71.05 RCW, resource management services, and
community support services;
(d) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly,
disabled, children, and low-income persons are met within the
priorities established in this section;
(e) Establish a standard contract or contracts, using a standard
procurement process consistent with generally accepted government
standards, and consistent with state minimum standards, which shall be
used in contracting with regional support networks ((or counties)).
The standard contract shall include a maximum fund balance, which shall
not exceed ten percent;
(f) Establish, to the extent possible, a standardized auditing
procedure which minimizes paperwork requirements of ((county
authorities)) regional support networks and licensed service providers.
The audit procedure shall focus on the outcomes of service and not the
processes for accomplishing them;
(g) Develop and maintain an information system to be used by the
state((, counties,)) and regional support networks that includes a
tracking method which allows the department and regional support
networks to identify mental health clients' participation in any mental
health service or public program on an immediate basis. The
information system shall not include individual patient's case history
files. Confidentiality of client information and records shall be
maintained as provided in this chapter and in RCW 71.05.390, 71.05.400,
71.05.410, 71.05.420, 71.05.430, and 71.05.440((. The design of the
system and the data elements to be collected shall be reviewed by the
work group appointed by the secretary under section 5(1) of this act
and representing the department, regional support networks, service
providers, consumers, and advocates. The data elements shall be
designed to provide information that is needed to measure performance
and achieve the service outcomes identified in section 5 of this act));
(h) License service providers who meet state minimum standards;
(i) Certify regional support networks that meet state minimum
standards;
(j) Periodically monitor the compliance of certified regional
support networks and their network of licensed service providers for
compliance with the contract between the department, the regional
support network, and federal and state rules at reasonable times and in
a reasonable manner;
(k) Fix fees to be paid by evaluation and treatment centers to the
secretary for the required inspections;
(l) Monitor and audit ((counties,)) regional support networks((,))
and licensed service providers as needed to assure compliance with
contractual agreements authorized by this chapter; ((and))
(m) Adopt such rules as are necessary to implement the department's
responsibilities under this chapter; and
(n) Assure the availability of an appropriate amount of
community-based, geographically distributed residential services.
(6) The secretary shall use available resources only for ((regional
support networks)) the community mental health service delivery system.
(7) Each certified regional support network and licensed service
provider shall file with the secretary, on request, such data,
statistics, schedules, and information as the secretary reasonably
requires. A certified regional support network or licensed service
provider which, without good cause, fails to furnish any data,
statistics, schedules, or information as requested, or files fraudulent
reports thereof, may have its certification or license revoked or
suspended.
(8) The secretary may suspend, revoke, limit, or restrict a
certification or license, or refuse to grant a certification or license
for failure to conform to: (a) The law; (b) applicable rules and
regulations; (c) applicable standards; or (d) state minimum standards.
(9) The superior court may restrain any regional support network or
service provider from operating without certification or a license or
any other violation of this section. The court may also review,
pursuant to procedures contained in chapter 34.05 RCW, any denial,
suspension, limitation, restriction, or revocation of certification or
license, and grant other relief required to enforce the provisions of
this chapter.
(10) Upon petition by the secretary, and after hearing held upon
reasonable notice to the facility, the superior court may issue a
warrant to an officer or employee of the secretary authorizing him or
her to enter at reasonable times, and examine the records, books, and
accounts of any regional support network or service provider refusing
to consent to inspection or examination by the authority.
(11) Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy,
the secretary may file an action for an injunction or other process
against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the
establishment, conduct, or operation of a regional support network or
service provider without certification or a license under this chapter.
(12) The standards for certification of evaluation and treatment
facilities shall include standards relating to maintenance of good
physical and mental health and other services to be afforded persons
pursuant to this chapter and chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW, and shall
otherwise assure the effectuation of the purposes of these chapters.
(13)(a) The department, in consultation with affected parties,
shall establish a distribution formula that reflects ((county))
regional needs assessments based on the number of persons who are
acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, severely emotionally
disturbed children, and seriously disturbed. The formula shall take
into consideration the impact on ((counties)) regions of demographic
factors ((in counties)) which result in concentrations of priority
populations as set forth in subsection (5)(b) of this section. These
factors shall include the population concentrations resulting from
commitments under chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW to state psychiatric
hospitals, as well as concentration in urban areas, at border crossings
at state boundaries, and other significant demographic and workload
factors.
(b) The formula shall also include a projection of the funding
allocations that will result for each ((county)) region, which
specifies allocations according to priority populations, including the
allocation for services to children and other underserved populations.
(c) After July 1, 2003, the department may allocate up to two
percent of total funds to be distributed to the regional support
networks for incentive payments to reward the achievement of superior
outcomes, or significantly improved outcomes, as measured by a
statewide performance measurement system consistent with the framework
recommended in the joint legislative audit and review committee's
performance audit of the mental health system. The department shall
annually report to the legislature on its criteria and allocation of
the incentives provided under this subsection.
(14) The secretary shall assume all duties assigned to the
nonparticipating ((counties)) regions under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and
71.24 RCW. Such responsibilities shall include those which would have
been assigned to the nonparticipating ((counties under)) regional
support networks.
The regional support networks, or the secretary's assumption of all
responsibilities under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and 71.24 RCW, shall be
included in all state and federal plans affecting the state mental
health program including at least those required by this chapter, the
medicaid program, and P.L. 99-660. Nothing in these plans shall be
inconsistent with the intent and requirements of this chapter.
(15) The secretary shall:
(a) Disburse funds for the regional support networks within sixty
days of approval of the biennial contract. The department must either
approve or reject the biennial contract within sixty days of receipt.
(b) Enter into biennial contracts with regional support networks.
The contracts shall be consistent with available resources. No
contract shall be approved that does not include progress toward
meeting the goals of this chapter by taking responsibility for: (i)
Short-term commitments; (ii) residential care; and (iii) emergency
response systems.
(c) ((Allocate one hundred percent of available resources to the
regional support networks in accordance with subsection (13) of this
section. Incentive payments authorized under subsection (13) of this
section may be allocated separately from other available resources.)) Notify regional support networks of their allocation of
available resources at least sixty days prior to the start of a new
biennial contract period.
(d)
(((e))) (d) Deny funding allocations to regional support networks
based solely upon formal findings of noncompliance with the terms of
the regional support network's contract with the department. Written
notice and at least thirty days for corrective action must precede any
such action. In such cases, regional support networks shall have full
rights to appeal under chapter 34.05 RCW.
(16) The department, in cooperation with the state congressional
delegation, shall actively seek waivers of federal requirements and
such modifications of federal regulations as are necessary to allow
federal medicaid reimbursement for services provided by free-standing
evaluation and treatment facilities certified under chapter 71.05 RCW.
The department shall periodically report its efforts to the appropriate
committees of the senate and the house of representatives.
Sec. 5 RCW 71.24.045 and 2001 c 323 s 12 are each amended to read
as follows:
The ((county authority)) regional support network shall:
(1) Contract as needed with licensed service providers. The
((county authority)) regional support network may, in the absence of a
licensed service provider entity, become a licensed service provider
entity pursuant to minimum standards required for licensing by the
department for the purpose of providing services not available from
licensed service providers;
(2) Operate as a licensed service provider if it deems that doing
so is more efficient and cost effective than contracting for services.
When doing so, the ((county authority)) regional support network shall
comply with rules promulgated by the secretary that shall provide
measurements to determine when a ((county)) regional support network
provided service is more efficient and cost effective;
(3) Monitor and perform biennial fiscal audits of licensed service
providers who have contracted with the ((county)) regional support
network to provide services required by this chapter. The monitoring
and audits shall be performed by means of a formal process which
insures that the licensed service providers and professionals
designated in this subsection meet the terms of their contracts;
(4) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly,
disabled, children, and low-income persons are met within the
priorities established in this chapter;
(5) Maintain patient tracking information in a central location as
required for resource management services and the department's
information system;
(6) ((Use not more than two percent of state-appropriated community
mental health funds, which shall not include federal funds, to
administer community mental health programs under RCW 71.24.155:
PROVIDED, That county authorities serving a county or combination of
counties whose population is one hundred twenty-five thousand or more
may be entitled to sufficient state-appropriated community mental
health funds to employ up to one full-time employee or the equivalent
thereof in addition to the two percent limit established in this
subsection when such employee is providing staff services to a county
mental health advisory board;)) Coordinate services for individuals who have received
services through the community mental health system and who become
patients at a state mental hospital.
(7)
Sec. 6 RCW 71.24.100 and 1982 c 204 s 7 are each amended to read
as follows:
A county authority or a group of county authorities may enter into
a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network. Any
agreement between two or more county authorities for the establishment
of a ((community mental health program)) regional support network shall
provide:
(1) That each county shall bear a share of the cost of mental
health services; and
(2) That the treasurer of one participating county shall be the
custodian of funds made available for the purposes of such mental
health services, and that the treasurer may make payments from such
funds upon audit by the appropriate auditing officer of the county for
which he is treasurer.
Sec. 7 RCW 71.24.110 and 1999 c 10 s 7 are each amended to read
as follows:
An agreement for the establishment of a community mental health
program under RCW 71.24.100 may also provide:
(1) For the joint supervision or operation of services and
facilities, or for the supervision or operation of service and
facilities by one participating ((county)) region under contract for
the other participating ((counties)) regions; and
(2) For such other matters as are necessary or proper to effectuate
the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 8 RCW 71.24.300 and 2001 c 323 s 17 are each amended to read
as follows:
((A county authority or a group of county authorities whose
combined population is no less than forty thousand may enter into a
joint operating agreement to form a regional support network.)) Upon
the request of a tribal authority or authorities within a regional
support network the ((joint operating agreement or the county
authority)) department shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal
authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network.
The roles and responsibilities of the ((county)) regional support
network and tribal authorities shall be determined by the ((terms of
that agreement)) department including a determination of membership on
the governing board and advisory committees, the number of tribal
representatives to be party to the agreement, and the provisions of law
and shall assure the provision of culturally competent services to the
tribes served. The state mental health authority may not determine the
roles and responsibilities of county authorities as to each other under
regional support networks by rule, except to assure that all duties
required of regional support networks are assigned and that counties
and the regional support network do not duplicate functions and that a
single authority has final responsibility for all available resources
and performance under the regional support network's contract with the
secretary.
(1) Regional support networks shall submit an overall six-year
operating and capital plan, timeline, and budget and submit progress
reports and an updated two-year plan biennially thereafter, to assume
within available resources all of the following duties:
(a) Administer and provide for the availability of all resource
management services, residential services, and community support
services.
(b) Assume the powers and duties of county authorities within its
area as described in RCW 71.24.045 (1) through (((7))) (6).
(c) Administer and provide for the availability of all
investigation, transportation, court-related, and other services
provided by the state or counties pursuant to chapter 71.05 RCW.
(d) Provide within the boundaries of each regional support network
evaluation and treatment services for at least eighty-five percent of
persons detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days
according to chapter 71.05 RCW. Regional support networks with
populations of less than one hundred fifty thousand may contract to
purchase evaluation and treatment services from other networks.
Insofar as the original intent of serving persons in the community is
maintained, the secretary is authorized to approve exceptions on a
case-by-case basis to the requirement to provide evaluation and
treatment services within the boundaries of each regional support
network. Such exceptions are limited to contracts with neighboring or
contiguous regions.
(e) Administer a portion of funds appropriated by the legislature
to house mentally ill persons in state institutions from counties
within the boundaries of any regional support network, with the
exception of persons currently confined at, or under the supervision
of, a state mental hospital pursuant to chapter 10.77 RCW, and provide
for the care of all persons needing evaluation and treatment services
for periods up to seventeen days according to chapter 71.05 RCW in
appropriate residential services, which may include state institutions.
The regional support networks shall reimburse the state for use of
state institutions at a rate equal to that assumed by the legislature
when appropriating funds for such care at state institutions during the
biennium when reimbursement occurs. The secretary shall submit a
report to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of
representatives on the efforts to implement this section by October 1,
2002. The duty of a state hospital to accept persons for evaluation
and treatment under chapter 71.05 RCW is limited by the
responsibilities assigned to regional support networks under this
section.
(f) Administer and provide for the availability of all other mental
health services, which shall include patient counseling, day treatment,
consultation, education services, employment services as defined in RCW
71.24.035, and mental health services to children ((as provided in this
chapter designed to achieve the outcomes specified in section 5 of this
act)).
(g) Establish standards and procedures for reviewing individual
service plans and determining when that person may be discharged from
resource management services.
(2) Regional support networks shall assume all duties assigned to
county authorities by this chapter and chapter 71.05 RCW.
(3) A regional support network may request that any state-owned
land, building, facility, or other capital asset which was ever
purchased, deeded, given, or placed in trust for the care of the
mentally ill and which is within the boundaries of a regional support
network be made available to support the operations of the regional
support network. State agencies managing such capital assets shall
give first priority to requests for their use pursuant to this chapter.
(4) Each regional support network shall appoint a mental health
advisory board which shall review and provide comments on plans and
policies developed under this chapter. The composition of the board
shall be broadly representative of the demographic character of the
region and the mentally ill persons served therein. Length of terms of
board members shall be determined by the regional support network.
(5) Regional support networks shall assume all duties specified in
their plans and joint operating agreements through biennial contractual
agreements with the secretary.
(6) ((Counties or groups of counties participating in a regional
support network are not subject to RCW 71.24.045(6).)) Regional support networks may receive technical assistance
from the housing trust fund and may identify and submit projects for
housing and housing support services to the housing trust fund
established under chapter 43.185 RCW. Projects identified or submitted
under this subsection must be fully integrated with the regional
support network six-year operating and capital plan, timeline, and
budget required by subsection (1) of this section.
(7)
Sec. 9 RCW 71.24.420 and 2001 c 323 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
The department shall operate the community mental health service
delivery system authorized under this chapter within the following
constraints:
(1) The full amount of federal funds for mental health services,
plus qualifying state expenditures as appropriated in the biennial
operating budget, shall be appropriated to the department each year in
the biennial appropriations act to carry out the provisions of the
community mental health service delivery system authorized in this
chapter.
(2) ((The department may expend funds defined in subsection (1) of
this section in any manner that will effectively accomplish the outcome
measures defined in section 5 of this act.)) The department shall monitor expenditures against the
appropriation levels provided for in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The department shall implement strategies that accomplish the
outcome measures identified in section 5 of this act that are within
the funding constraints in this section.
(4)
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10 (1) The sum of . . . . dollars, or as much
thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2006, from the general fund to the department of social and
health services for the purposes of this act.
(2) The sum of . . . . dollars, or as much thereof as may be
necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007,
from the general fund to the department of social and health services
for the purposes of this act.
Sec. 11 RCW 71.05.020 and 2000 c 94 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Admission" or "admit" means a decision by a physician that a
person should be examined or treated as a patient in a hospital;
(2) "Antipsychotic medications" means that class of drugs primarily
used to treat serious manifestations of mental illness associated with
thought disorders, which includes, but is not limited to atypical
antipsychotic medications;
(3) "Attending staff" means any person on the staff of a public or
private agency having responsibility for the care and treatment of a
patient;
(4) "Commitment" means the determination by a court that a person
should be detained for a period of either evaluation or treatment, or
both, in an inpatient or a less restrictive setting;
(5) "Conditional release" means a revocable modification of a
commitment, which may be revoked upon violation of any of its terms;
(6) (("County designated mental health professional" means a mental
health professional appointed by the county to perform the duties
specified in this chapter;)) "Custody" means involuntary detention under the provisions of
this chapter or chapter 10.77 RCW, uninterrupted by any period of
unconditional release from commitment from a facility providing
involuntary care and treatment;
(7)
(((8))) (7) "Department" means the department of social and health
services;
(8) "Designated mental health professional" means a mental health
professional appointed by a regional support network established under
chapter 71.24 RCW;
(9) "Detention" or "detain" means the lawful confinement of a
person, under the provisions of this chapter;
(10) "Developmental disabilities professional" means a person who
has specialized training and three years of experience in directly
treating or working with persons with developmental disabilities and is
a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker, and such other
developmental disabilities professionals as may be defined by rules
adopted by the secretary;
(11) "Developmental disability" means that condition defined in RCW
71A.10.020(3);
(12) "Discharge" means the termination of hospital medical
authority. The commitment may remain in place, be terminated, or be
amended by court order;
(13) "Evaluation and treatment facility" means any facility which
can provide directly, or by direct arrangement with other public or
private agencies, emergency evaluation and treatment, outpatient care,
and timely and appropriate inpatient care to persons suffering from a
mental disorder, and which is certified as such by the department. A
physically separate and separately operated portion of a state hospital
may be designated as an evaluation and treatment facility. A facility
which is part of, or operated by, the department or any federal agency
will not require certification. No correctional institution or
facility, or jail, shall be an evaluation and treatment facility within
the meaning of this chapter;
(14) "Gravely disabled" means a condition in which a person, as a
result of a mental disorder: (a) Is in danger of serious physical harm
resulting from a failure to provide for his or her essential human
needs of health or safety; or (b) manifests severe deterioration in
routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of
cognitive or volitional control over his or her actions and is not
receiving such care as is essential for his or her health or safety;
(15) "Habilitative services" means those services provided by
program personnel to assist persons in acquiring and maintaining life
skills and in raising their levels of physical, mental, social, and
vocational functioning. Habilitative services include education,
training for employment, and therapy. The habilitative process shall
be undertaken with recognition of the risk to the public safety
presented by the individual being assisted as manifested by prior
charged criminal conduct;
(16) "History of one or more violent acts" refers to the period of
time ten years prior to the filing of a petition under this chapter,
excluding any time spent, but not any violent acts committed, in a
mental health facility or in confinement as a result of a criminal
conviction;
(17) "Individualized service plan" means a plan prepared by a
developmental disabilities professional with other professionals as a
team, for an individual with developmental disabilities, which shall
state:
(a) The nature of the person's specific problems, prior charged
criminal behavior, and habilitation needs;
(b) The conditions and strategies necessary to achieve the purposes
of habilitation;
(c) The intermediate and long-range goals of the habilitation
program, with a projected timetable for the attainment;
(d) The rationale for using this plan of habilitation to achieve
those intermediate and long-range goals;
(e) The staff responsible for carrying out the plan;
(f) Where relevant in light of past criminal behavior and due
consideration for public safety, the criteria for proposed movement to
less-restrictive settings, criteria for proposed eventual discharge or
release, and a projected possible date for discharge or release; and
(g) The type of residence immediately anticipated for the person
and possible future types of residences;
(18) "Judicial commitment" means a commitment by a court pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter;
(19) "Likelihood of serious harm" means:
(a) A substantial risk that: (i) Physical harm will be inflicted
by an individual upon his or her own person, as evidenced by threats or
attempts to commit suicide or inflict physical harm on oneself; (ii)
physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon another, as
evidenced by behavior which has caused such harm or which places
another person or persons in reasonable fear of sustaining such harm;
or (iii) physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon the
property of others, as evidenced by behavior which has caused
substantial loss or damage to the property of others; or
(b) The individual has threatened the physical safety of another
and has a history of one or more violent acts;
(20) "Mental disorder" means any organic, mental, or emotional
impairment which has substantial adverse effects on an individual's
cognitive or volitional functions;
(21) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist,
psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other
mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the
secretary pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;
(22) "Peace officer" means a law enforcement official of a public
agency or governmental unit, and includes persons specifically given
peace officer powers by any state law, local ordinance, or judicial
order of appointment;
(23) "Private agency" means any person, partnership, corporation,
or association that is not a public agency, whether or not financed in
whole or in part by public funds, which constitutes an evaluation and
treatment facility or private institution, hospital, or sanitarium,
which is conducted for, or includes a department or ward conducted for,
the care and treatment of persons who are mentally ill;
(24) "Professional person" means a mental health professional and
shall also mean a physician, registered nurse, and such others as may
be defined by rules adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter;
(25) "Psychiatrist" means a person having a license as a physician
and surgeon in this state who has in addition completed three years of
graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American
medical association or the American osteopathic association and is
certified or eligible to be certified by the American board of
psychiatry and neurology;
(26) "Psychologist" means a person who has been licensed as a
psychologist pursuant to chapter 18.83 RCW;
(27) "Public agency" means any evaluation and treatment facility or
institution, hospital, or sanitarium which is conducted for, or
includes a department or ward conducted for, the care and treatment of
persons who are mentally ill((;[,])), if the agency is operated
directly by, federal, state, county, or municipal government, or a
combination of such governments;
(28) "Release" means legal termination of the commitment under the
provisions of this chapter;
(29) "Resource management services" has the meaning given in
chapter 71.24 RCW;
(30) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social
and health services, or his or her designee;
(31) "Social worker" means a person with a master's or further
advanced degree from an accredited school of social work or a degree
deemed equivalent under rules adopted by the secretary;
(32) "Violent act" means behavior that resulted in homicide,
attempted suicide, nonfatal injuries, or substantial damage to
property.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12 (1) The department of social and health
services shall enter into an annual contract with regional support
networks for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. The department
shall issue a request for proposal to establish new regional support
networks under RCW 71.24.035 to be effective July 1, 2006.
(2) This section expires June 30, 2007.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13 The code reviser shall replace all
references to "county designated mental health professional" with
"designated mental health professional" in the Revised Code of
Washington.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14 This act does not affect any existing right
acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended
or repealed in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those
sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those
sections.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15 If any provision of this act or its
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other
persons or circumstances is not affected.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16 This act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the
state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect
immediately.