SHB 2295 -
By Representative Armstrong
SCOPE AND OBJECT 03/23/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The legislature finds that the
department of social and health services has grown significantly to now
encompass thirty percent of the near general fund-state operating
budget and thirty-four percent of the total operating budget. The
agency has become so large that it: (a) Is difficult to administer;
(b) does not have enough focus on critical functions such as protecting
children and other vulnerable persons; (c) does not effectively deliver
the extensive number of services and programs it is responsible for;
(d) leads to higher state costs through the inefficiencies due to the
size of the agency; and (e) is difficult to measure the performance of
the agency in meeting its goals and responsibilities.
(2) The legislature intends to improve the delivery of programs and
services, provide more focus on critical functions, and save costs over
time by creating four agencies to replace the department of social and
health services that are easier to administer and are more flexible in
responding to changing circumstances and service delivery. This act
abolishes the department of social and health services effective July
1, 2011, and creates the following four agencies in its place: (a) The
department of economic services, which will conduct financial
eligibility evaluations for all the newly created agencies; (b) the
department of medical assistance; (c) the department of health and
rehabilitative services, which will consist of the long-term care,
developmentally disabled, vocational-rehabilitation, mental health, and
drug and alcohol substance abuse programs, and the special commitment
center; and (d) the department of children's services.
(3) The office of financial management and the department of social
and health services will develop a plan to implement this act and
report to the legislature during the 2010 legislative session. The
code reviser will propose changes to the Revised Code of Washington for
the 2012 legislative session to make technical corrections necessary as
a result of implementing this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 101 (1) The department of social and health
services is abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are
transferred to the appropriate department as divided by the transition
team established under section 604 of this act. All references to the
secretary or the department of social and health services in the
Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director of
the appropriate department, or the appropriate department, created
under this act.
(2)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files,
papers, or written material in the possession of the department of
social and health services shall be delivered to the custody of the
transition team created under section 604 of this act to be transferred
to the appropriate department created under this act. All cabinets,
furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible
property employed by the department of social and health services shall
be made available to the transition team to be transferred to the
appropriate department. All funds, credits, or other assets held by
the department of social and health services shall be assigned to the
appropriate department by the transition team.
(b) Any appropriations made to the department of social and health
services shall, on the effective date of this section, be transferred
and credited to the appropriate department by the transition team.
(3) All employees of the department of social and health services
are transferred to the jurisdiction of the transition team established
under section 604 of this act to be transferred to the appropriate
department. All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the
state civil service law, are assigned to their respective departments
to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without
any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate
thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil
service.
(4) All rules and all pending business before the department of
social and health services shall be continued and acted upon by the
appropriate department created under this act. All existing contracts
and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by
the appropriate department.
(5) The transfer of the powers, duties, functions, and personnel of
the department of social and health services shall not affect the
validity of any act performed before the effective date of this
section.
(6) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the
transfers directed by this section, the director of financial
management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected,
the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make
the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation
accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.
(7) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any
existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing
collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired or
until the bargaining unit has been modified by action of the public
employment relations commission as provided by law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 201 There is created a department of state
government to be known as the department of economic services. The
department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under
this chapter, section 604 of this act, and such other powers and duties
as may be authorized by law. The department shall be located in the
facilities of the department of social and health services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 202 The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of economic services.
(2) "Director" means the director of economic services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 203 The executive head and appointing
authority of the department is the director. The director shall be
appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and shall
serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall be paid a
salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
If a vacancy occurs in the position while the senate is not in session,
the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting
of the senate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 204 It is the intent of the legislature
wherever possible to place the internal affairs of the department under
the control of the director in order that the director may institute
therein the flexible, alert, and intelligent management of its business
that changing contemporary circumstances require. Therefore, whenever
the director's authority is not specifically limited by law, the
director has complete charge and supervisory powers over the
department. The director may create such administrative structures as
the director considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by
law. The director may employ such assistants and personnel as
necessary for the general administration of the department. This
employment shall be in accordance with the state civil service law,
chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 205 The director shall appoint a deputy
director, a department personnel director, and such assistant directors
as may be needed to administer the department. The deputy director
shall have charge and general supervision of the department in the
absence or disability of the director and, in case of a vacancy in the
office of director, shall continue in charge of the department until a
successor is appointed and qualified, or until the governor appoints an
acting director.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 206 Any power or duty vested in or transferred
to the director by law or executive order may be delegated by the
director to the deputy director or to any other assistant or
subordinate; but the director shall be responsible for the official
acts of the officers and employees of the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 207 In furtherance of the policy of the state
to cooperate with the federal government in all of the programs under
the jurisdiction of the department, such rules as may become necessary
to entitle the state to participate in federal funds may be adopted,
unless expressly prohibited by law. Any internal reorganization
carried out under the terms of this chapter shall meet federal
requirements that are a necessary condition to state receipt of federal
funds. Any section or provision of law dealing with the department
that may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be
interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to comply with
federal laws entitling this state to receive federal funds for the
various programs of the department. If any law dealing with the
department is ruled to be in conflict with federal requirements that
are a prescribed condition of the allocation of federal funds to the
state, or to any departments or agencies thereof, the conflicting part
is declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 208 A new section is added to chapter 41.06
RCW to read as follows:
In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070, the provisions
of this chapter shall not apply in the department of economic services
to the director, the director's personal secretary, the deputy
director, all division directors and assistant directors, and one
confidential secretary for each of these officers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 301 There is created a department of state
government to be known as the department of medical assistance. The
department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under
this chapter, section 604 of this act, and such other powers and duties
as may be authorized by law. The department shall be located in the
facilities of the department of social and health services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 302 The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of medical assistance.
(2) "Director" means the director of medical assistance.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 303 The executive head and appointing
authority of the department is the director. The director shall be
appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and shall
serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall be paid a
salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
If a vacancy occurs in the position while the senate is not in session,
the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting
of the senate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 304 It is the intent of the legislature
wherever possible to place the internal affairs of the department under
the control of the director in order that the director may institute
therein the flexible, alert, and intelligent management of its business
that changing contemporary circumstances require. Therefore, whenever
the director's authority is not specifically limited by law, the
director has complete charge and supervisory powers over the
department. The director may create such administrative structures as
the director considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by
law. The director may employ such assistants and personnel as
necessary for the general administration of the department. This
employment shall be in accordance with the state civil service law,
chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 305 The director shall appoint a deputy
director, a department personnel director, and such assistant directors
as may be needed to administer the department. The deputy director
shall have charge and general supervision of the department in the
absence or disability of the director and, in case of a vacancy in the
office of director, shall continue in charge of the department until a
successor is appointed and qualified, or until the governor appoints an
acting director.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 306 Any power or duty vested in or transferred
to the director by law or executive order may be delegated by the
director to the deputy director or to any other assistant or
subordinate; but the director shall be responsible for the official
acts of the officers and employees of the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 307 In furtherance of the policy of the state
to cooperate with the federal government in all of the programs under
the jurisdiction of the department, such rules as may become necessary
to entitle the state to participate in federal funds may be adopted,
unless expressly prohibited by law. Any internal reorganization
carried out under the terms of this chapter shall meet federal
requirements that are a necessary condition to state receipt of federal
funds. Any section or provision of law dealing with the department
that may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be
interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to comply with
federal laws entitling this state to receive federal funds for the
various programs of the department. If any law dealing with the
department is ruled to be in conflict with federal requirements that
are a prescribed condition of the allocation of federal funds to the
state, or to any departments or agencies thereof, the conflicting part
is declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 308 A new section is added to chapter 41.06
RCW to read as follows:
In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070, the provisions
of this chapter shall not apply in the department of medical assistance
to the director, the director's personal secretary, the deputy
director, all division directors and assistant directors, and one
confidential secretary for each of these officers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 401 There is created a department of state
government to be known as the department of health and rehabilitative
services. The department is vested with all powers and duties
transferred to it under this chapter, section 604 of this act, and such
other powers and duties as may be authorized by law. The department
shall be located in the facilities of the department of social and
health services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 402 The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of health and rehabilitative
services.
(2) "Director" means the director of health and rehabilitative
services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 403 The executive head and appointing
authority of the department is the director. The director shall be
appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and shall
serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall be paid a
salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
If a vacancy occurs in the position while the senate is not in session,
the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting
of the senate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 404 It is the intent of the legislature
wherever possible to place the internal affairs of the department under
the control of the director in order that the director may institute
therein the flexible, alert, and intelligent management of its business
that changing contemporary circumstances require. Therefore, whenever
the director's authority is not specifically limited by law, the
director has complete charge and supervisory powers over the
department. The director may create such administrative structures as
the director considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by
law. The director may employ such assistants and personnel as
necessary for the general administration of the department. This
employment shall be in accordance with the state civil service law,
chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 405 The director shall appoint a deputy
director, a department personnel director, and such assistant directors
as may be needed to administer the department. The deputy director
shall have charge and general supervision of the department in the
absence or disability of the director and, in case of a vacancy in the
office of director, shall continue in charge of the department until a
successor is appointed and qualified, or until the governor appoints an
acting director.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 406 Any power or duty vested in or transferred
to the director by law or executive order may be delegated by the
director to the deputy director or to any other assistant or
subordinate; but the director shall be responsible for the official
acts of the officers and employees of the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 407 In furtherance of the policy of the state
to cooperate with the federal government in all of the programs under
the jurisdiction of the department, such rules as may become necessary
to entitle the state to participate in federal funds may be adopted,
unless expressly prohibited by law. Any internal reorganization
carried out under the terms of this chapter shall meet federal
requirements that are a necessary condition to state receipt of federal
funds. Any section or provision of law dealing with the department
that may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be
interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to comply with
federal laws entitling this state to receive federal funds for the
various programs of the department. If any law dealing with the
department is ruled to be in conflict with federal requirements that
are a prescribed condition of the allocation of federal funds to the
state, or to any departments or agencies thereof, the conflicting part
is declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 408 A new section is added to chapter 41.06
RCW to read as follows:
In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070, the provisions
of this chapter shall not apply in the department of health and
rehabilitative services to the director, the director's personal
secretary, the deputy director, all division directors and assistant
directors, and one confidential secretary for each of these officers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 501 There is created a department of state
government to be known as the department of children's services. The
department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under
this chapter, section 604 of this act, and such other powers and duties
as may be authorized by law. The department shall be located in the
facilities of the department of social and health services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 502 The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of children's services.
(2) "Director" means the director of children's services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 503 The executive head and appointing
authority of the department is the director. The director shall be
appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and shall
serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall be paid a
salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
If a vacancy occurs in the position while the senate is not in session,
the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting
of the senate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 504 It is the intent of the legislature
wherever possible to place the internal affairs of the department under
the control of the director in order that the director may institute
therein the flexible, alert, and intelligent management of its business
that changing contemporary circumstances require. Therefore, whenever
the director's authority is not specifically limited by law, the
director has complete charge and supervisory powers over the
department. The director may create such administrative structures as
the director considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by
law. The director may employ such assistants and personnel as
necessary for the general administration of the department. This
employment shall be in accordance with the state civil service law,
chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 505 The director shall appoint a deputy
director, a department personnel director, and such assistant directors
as may be needed to administer the department. The deputy director
shall have charge and general supervision of the department in the
absence or disability of the director and, in case of a vacancy in the
office of director, shall continue in charge of the department until a
successor is appointed and qualified, or until the governor appoints an
acting director.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 506 Any power or duty vested in or transferred
to the director by law or executive order may be delegated by the
director to the deputy director or to any other assistant or
subordinate; but the director shall be responsible for the official
acts of the officers and employees of the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 507 In furtherance of the policy of the state
to cooperate with the federal government in all of the programs under
the jurisdiction of the department, such rules as may become necessary
to entitle the state to participate in federal funds may be adopted,
unless expressly prohibited by law. Any internal reorganization
carried out under the terms of this chapter shall meet federal
requirements that are a necessary condition to state receipt of federal
funds. Any section or provision of law dealing with the department
that may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be
interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to comply with
federal laws entitling this state to receive federal funds for the
various programs of the department. If any law dealing with the
department is ruled to be in conflict with federal requirements that
are a prescribed condition of the allocation of federal funds to the
state, or to any departments or agencies thereof, the conflicting part
is declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 508 A new section is added to chapter 41.06
RCW to read as follows:
In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070, the provisions
of this chapter shall not apply in the department of children's
services to the director, the director's personal secretary, the deputy
director, all division directors and assistant directors, and one
confidential secretary for each of these officers.
Sec. 601 RCW 43.17.010 and 2007 c 341 s 46 are each amended to
read as follows:
There shall be departments of the state government which shall be
known as (1) ((the department of social and health services, (2))) the
department of ecology, (((3))) (2) the department of labor and
industries, (((4))) (3) the department of agriculture, (((5))) (4) the
department of fish and wildlife, (((6))) (5) the department of
transportation, (((7))) (6) the department of licensing, (((8))) (7)
the department of general administration, (((9))) (8) the department of
community, trade, and economic development, (((10))) (9) the department
of veterans affairs, (((11))) (10) the department of revenue, (((12)))
(11) the department of retirement systems, (((13))) (12) the department
of corrections, (((14))) (13) the department of health, (((15))) (14)
the department of financial institutions, (((16))) (15) the department
of archaeology and historic preservation, (((17))) (16) the department
of early learning, ((and (18))) (17) the Puget Sound partnership, (18)
the department of economic services, (19) the department of medical
assistance, (20) the department of health and rehabilitative services,
and (21) the department of children's services, which shall be charged
with the execution, enforcement, and administration of such laws, and
invested with such powers and required to perform such duties, as the
legislature may provide.
Sec. 602 RCW 43.17.020 and 2007 c 341 s 47 are each amended to
read as follows:
There shall be a chief executive officer of each department to be
known as: (1) ((The secretary of social and health services, (2))) The
director of ecology, (((3))) (2) the director of labor and industries,
(((4))) (3) the director of agriculture, (((5))) (4) the director of
fish and wildlife, (((6))) (5) the secretary of transportation, (((7)))
(6) the director of licensing, (((8))) (7) the director of general
administration, (((9))) (8) the director of community, trade, and
economic development, (((10))) (9) the director of veterans affairs,
(((11))) (10) the director of revenue, (((12))) (11) the director of
retirement systems, (((13))) (12) the secretary of corrections,
(((14))) (13) the secretary of health, (((15))) (14) the director of
financial institutions, (((16))) (15) the director of the department of
archaeology and historic preservation, (((17))) (16) the director of
early learning, ((and (18))) (17) the executive director of the Puget
Sound partnership, (18) the director of economic services, (19) the
director of medical assistance, (20) the director of health and
rehabilitative services, and (21) the director of children's services.
Such officers, except the director of fish and wildlife, shall be
appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and hold
office at the pleasure of the governor. The director of fish and
wildlife shall be appointed by the fish and wildlife commission as
prescribed by RCW 77.04.055.
Sec. 603 RCW 42.17.2401 and 2007 c 341 s 48, 2007 c 241 s 2, and
2007 c 15 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
For the purposes of RCW 42.17.240, the term "executive state
officer" includes:
(1) The chief administrative law judge, the director of
agriculture, the administrator of the Washington basic health plan, the
director of the department of services for the blind, the director of
the state system of community and technical colleges, the director of
community, trade, and economic development, the secretary of
corrections, the director of early learning, the director of ecology,
the commissioner of employment security, the chair of the energy
facility site evaluation council, the secretary of the state finance
committee, the director of financial management, the director of fish
and wildlife, the executive secretary of the forest practices appeals
board, the director of the gambling commission, the director of general
administration, the secretary of health, the administrator of the
Washington state health care authority, the executive secretary of the
health care facilities authority, the executive secretary of the higher
education facilities authority, the executive secretary of the horse
racing commission, the executive secretary of the human rights
commission, the executive secretary of the indeterminate sentence
review board, the director of the department of information services,
the executive director of the state investment board, the director of
labor and industries, the director of licensing, the director of the
lottery commission, the director of the office of minority and women's
business enterprises, the director of parks and recreation, the
director of personnel, the executive director of the public disclosure
commission, the executive director of the Puget Sound partnership, the
director of the recreation and conservation office, the director of
retirement systems, the director of revenue, ((the secretary of social
and health services,)) the chief of the Washington state patrol, the
executive secretary of the board of tax appeals, the secretary of
transportation, the secretary of the utilities and transportation
commission, the director of veterans affairs, the president of each of
the regional and state universities and the president of The Evergreen
State College, ((and)) each district and each campus president of each
state community college, the director of economic services, the
director of medical assistance, the director of health and
rehabilitative services, and the director of children's services;
(2) Each professional staff member of the office of the governor;
(3) Each professional staff member of the legislature; and
(4) Central Washington University board of trustees, the boards of
trustees of each community college and each technical college, each
member of the state board for community and technical colleges, state
convention and trade center board of directors, committee for deferred
compensation, Eastern Washington University board of trustees,
Washington economic development finance authority, The Evergreen State
College board of trustees, executive ethics board, forest practices
appeals board, forest practices board, gambling commission, life
sciences discovery fund authority board of trustees, Washington health
care facilities authority, each member of the Washington health
services commission, higher education coordinating board, higher
education facilities authority, horse racing commission, state housing
finance commission, human rights commission, indeterminate sentence
review board, board of industrial insurance appeals, information
services board, ((recreation and conservation funding board,)) state
investment board, commission on judicial conduct, legislative ethics
board, liquor control board, lottery commission, marine oversight
board, Pacific Northwest electric power and conservation planning
council, parks and recreation commission, board of pilotage
commissioners, pollution control hearings board, public disclosure
commission, public pension commission, shorelines ((hearing[s]))
hearings board, public employees' benefits board, recreation and
conservation funding board, salmon recovery funding board, board of tax
appeals, transportation commission, University of Washington board of
regents, utilities and transportation commission, Washington state
maritime commission, Washington personnel resources board, Washington
public power supply system executive board, Washington State University
board of regents, Western Washington University board of trustees, and
fish and wildlife commission.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 604 (1) By July 1, 2009, the governor shall
appoint a transition team to direct the details of administration of
this act. The team shall consist of representatives from the office of
financial management and the divisions of the department of social and
health services.
(2) The transition team shall divide up the functions of the
department of social and health services into the new departments set
out under this act after the effective date of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 605 (1) The transition team created in section
604 of this act shall, by January 1, 2010, submit a plan and necessary
implementing legislation to the legislature for the division of the
department of social and health services so that the new agencies will
be operating by July 1, 2011.
(2) The plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following
elements:
(a) Strategies for dividing the existing functions and
responsibilities of the department into the appropriate new agency
including a strategic plan for each new agency created in this act that
includes implementation steps, performance measures, evaluation
measures, and methods for collaboration among programs;
(b) Recommendations for changes in existing programs and functions
of the department of social and health services; and
(c) Implementation steps necessary to bring about operation of the
new agencies.
(3) By December 1, 2011, the code reviser's office shall prepare
corrective legislation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 606 Sections 201 through 207 of this act
constitute a new chapter in Title
NEW SECTION. Sec. 607 Sections 301 through 307 of this act
constitute a new chapter in Title
NEW SECTION. Sec. 608 Sections 401 through 407 of this act
constitute a new chapter in Title
NEW SECTION. Sec. 609 Sections 501 through 507 of this act
constitute a new chapter in Title
NEW SECTION. Sec. 610 Part headings used in this act are not
part of the law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 611 Section 604 of 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.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 612 Sections 101, 201 through 208, 301 through
308, 401 through 408, 501 through 508, and 601 through 603 of this act
take effect July 1, 2011.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 613 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."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Separates the department of social and health services into four state agencies. Provides for a transition team to develop and submit a plan and necessary implementing legislation to the legislature that divides the department of social and health services so that the new agencies will be operating by July 1, 2011.