HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2654
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to consumer-directed mental health care.
Brief Description: Creating a process for certifying community-based mental health services.
Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Cody, Moeller, Green and Kenney.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/24/08, 2/4/08 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, DeBolt, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
The State of Washington applied for a federal Mental Health Transformation Grant (MHTG)
in 2005. The federal government approved the state's grant application and awarded a five
year grant, which is managed out of the Office of the Governor. The MHTG is in year three
of a five year effort to transform the delivery of mental health services through focusing on
resilience, recovery, and consumer directed services.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is directed to prepare a report on
strategies to develop consumer-run and family-run community mental health services,
including the amendment of the Medicaid waiver and Mental Health State Plan.
The Department is directed to provide technical assistance to community service agencies to
help them organize, become Medicaid certified, and provide rehabilitation, recovery, and
support services.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The requirement that the Department adopt rules to provide a process for Medicaid
certification of consumer-run community service agencies is deleted and replaced with a
requirement that the Department prepare a strategy and plan for facilitating the development
and use of consumer run mental health services.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) None.
(In support with concerns) The state needs to provide support to mental health consumers and
their family members. Helping consumers and family members develop community-based
community service agencies will help individuals lead productive lives in their community.
(Opposed) The Medicaid waiver and the mental health state plan will need to be amended to
permit this type of service to be provided. There is no money in the Governor's supplemental
budget to provide technical support to these types of programs.
Persons Testifying: (In support with concerns) Lenora Warten, Rose House Clubhouse;
Charles Benjamin, North Sound Mental Health Administration; and Neeve Willows and
Karen Smith, HERO House.
(Opposed) Richard Kellogg, Department of Social and Health Services; and Rashi Gupta,
Washington State Association of Counties.