6804 AMH GREE MORI 072

SB 6804 - H AMD 1282

By Representative Green

ADOPTED 3/03/2010

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1. RCW 43.20A.890 and 2005 c 369 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A program for (a) the prevention and treatment of problem and pathological gambling; and (b) the training of professionals in the identification and treatment of problem and pathological gambling is established within the department of social and health services, to be administered by a qualified person who has training and experience in problem gambling or the organization and administration of treatment services for persons suffering from problem gambling.  The department may certify and contract with treatment facilities for any services provided under the program.  The department shall track program participation and client outcomes.

    (2) To receive treatment under subsection (1) of this section, a person must:

    (a) Need treatment for problem or pathological gambling, or because of the problem or pathological gambling of a family member, but be unable to afford treatment; and

    (b) Be targeted by the department of social and health services as being most amenable to treatment.

    (3) Treatment under this section is available only to the extent of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the department of social and health services for this purpose.  The department may solicit and accept for use any gift of money or property made by will or otherwise, and any grant of money, services, or property from the federal government, any tribal government, the state, or any political subdivision thereof or any private source, and do all things necessary to cooperate with the federal government or any of its agencies or any tribal government in making an application for any grant.

    (4) The department may adopt rules establishing standards for the review and certification of treatment facilities under this program.
(5) The department of social and health services shall establish an advisory committee to assist it in designing, managing, and evaluating the effectiveness of the program established in this section.  The advisory committee shall give due consideration in the design and management of the program that persons who hold licenses or contracts issued by the gambling commission, horse racing commission, and lottery commission are not excluded from, or discouraged from, applying to participate in the program.  The committee shall include, at a minimum, persons knowledgeable in the field of problem and pathological gambling and persons representing tribal gambling, privately owned nontribal gambling, and the state lottery.

    (((5))) (6) For purposes of this section, "pathological gambling" is a mental disorder characterized by loss of control over gambling, progression in preoccupation with gambling and in obtaining money to gamble, and continuation of gambling despite adverse consequences.  "Problem gambling" is an earlier stage of pathological gambling which compromises, disrupts, or damages family or personal relationships or vocational pursuits.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) The department of health shall develop recommendations regarding the credentialing of problem and pathological gambling treatment providers who were, prior to July 1, 2010, providing problem and pathological gambling treatment services as registered counselors under chapter 18.19 RCW.

    (2) When developing its recommendations, the department shall:

    (a) Consider, to the extent practicable, the criteria for sunrise review under RCW 18.120.010(2) and (3); and

    (b) Solicit input from stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the department of social and health services, problem and pathological gambling treatment providers, chemical dependency professionals, and any other affected health professions.

    (3) The department's recommendations shall, at a minimum, include:

    (a) A determination of whether the scope of practice of an existing credential should be expanded to include problem and pathological gambling treatment services or whether a new credential for problem and pathological gambling treatment providers should be created; and

    (b) Appropriate training, education, or examination requirements for problem and pathological gambling treatment providers.

    (3) The department shall report its recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Section 1 of this act expires December 31, 2012."

    Correct the title.

EFFECT: Expires the authority of the Department of Social and Health services to certify problem and pathological gambling treatment facilities on December 31, 2012.  Requires the Department of Health to develop recommendations regarding the credentialing of problem and pathological gambling treatment providers who were, prior to July 1, 2010, providing problem and pathological gambling treatment services as registered counselors under chapter 18.19 RCW.  Requires the Department of Health to consider sunrise review criteria and solicit input from stakeholders when developing its recommendations.  Requires the recommendations to include: (1) a determination of whether the scope of practice of an existing credential should be expanded to include problem and pathological gambling treatment services or whether a new credential for problem and pathological gambling treatment providers should be created and (2) appropriate training, education, or examination requirements for problem and pathological gambling treatment providers.  Requires the Department of Health to report its recommendations to the legislature no later than December 1, 2010.

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