Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Human Services Committee

HB 2784

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.

Brief Description: Regarding the intensive case management and integrated crisis response pilot programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Cody and Schual-Berke.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends the expiration date for the two pilot projects for intensive case management for chemically dependent persons with histories of high utilization of crisis services from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
  • Limits contracts for pilots for integrated crisis response and involuntary treatment program for adults with a chemical dependency and/or a mental disorder to counties that have contracted with the Department of Social and Health Services to act as a regional support network.
  • Requires the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to provide an additional preliminary report by June 30, 2008 and extends the final report deadline to June 30, 2010.
  • Extends to June 30, 2009, the expiration date for laws creating the Integrated Crisis Response and Involuntary Treatment Pilot Programs, codified as RCW 70.96B.

Hearing Date: 1/30/08

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Background:

The Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Mental Health Services and Funding (Task Force) reviewed reports and recommendations made by the Cross-System Crisis Response Initiative (Initiative), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and the Public Consulting Group Inpatient and Residential Capacity Report.

The Initiative was a comprehensive proposal which addressed how to help individuals who, as a result of a severe mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency, or other organic mental disorders and behavioral problems, are gravely disabled and a danger to themselves or others, to receive prompt and appropriate services.

The initiative made, among others, the following policy recommendations: (1) create a combined crisis response that is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for all identified populations; (2) establish safe, secure detoxification capacity; (3) implement intensive case management for persons with chemical dependency; (4) create hospital diversion beds for adults with medical and behavioral issues, persons with developmental disabilities, and provide in-home stabilization; and (5) develop cross-system crisis plans for persons under court-ordered treatment, under supervision by the Department of Corrections, and other persons at risk.

Pilot Projects

A. Intensive Case Management for Chemically Dependent/High Utilization of Crisis Services

In addition, the Secretary of the DSHS was required to contract with counties to provide intensive case management for chemically dependent persons with a history of high utilization of crisis services at two sites. These sites were to be separate from the two pilot involuntary treatment sites. The pilot programs began providing services by March 1, 2006, and were to end on June 30, 2008.

B. Involuntary Treatment - Chemical Dependency and/or Mental Disorder

As a result of the recommendations of the Initiative, legislation was enacted to develop involuntary treatment pilot projects for adults with chemical dependency, mental disorder, or both. These pilot projects, with training, staff, and resources, would be sufficient to provide 24-hour services, seven days per week, for both integrated services and secure detoxification services in two pilot areas, one urban and one rural. The Washington Institute for Public Policy (Institute) was tasked with evaluation of the two pilot programs, to provide an interim report, and a final report. The two pilot involuntary treatment programs were to expire on March 1, 2008.

Summary of Bill:

This bill extends time for operation of the pilot programs that were developed to provide intensive case management to persons with histories of high utilization of crisis services at two sites from June 30, 2008, until June 30, 2009. The bill requires that contracts for pilot programs must be limited to those counties that have contracted with the DSHS to act as a regional support network. If this requirement results in the termination of a pilot program at the end of State Fiscal Year 2008, the DSHS shall select an alternative regional support network to operate the pilot program in a different county during State Fiscal Year 2009.

If the Secretary is required to make this selection as a result of termination of the contract for a current pilot, the Secretary shall offer a contract to a single county regional support network in an urban area east of the Cascade Mountains. If that regional support network chooses not to operate the pilot program, the Secretary may select another regional support network in an urban area. If the Secretary is required to make this alternative selection, the new pilot program at the new program selection site shall begin providing services by September 1, 2008.

The bill requires the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to make a preliminary report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by June 30, 2008, in addition to the preliminary report which was due by December 1, 2007. The final report, originally due by September 30, 2008, will be due on June 30, 2010.

The legislation, codified as RCW 70.96B, which created the pilot programs for the integrated crisis response, expires on June 30, 2009, rather than July 1, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.