| VETO MESSAGE ON SHB 2657 |
| March 29, 2012 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 3, Substitute House Bill 2657 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to adoption support expenditures." |
| Section 3 requires the Department of Social and Health Services to convene a work group, as part of its children's mental health redesign efforts, to develop recommendations to better address the mental health service needs of adoptive families and reduce the need to spend adoption support payments on mental health services. The Department of Social and Health Services is additionally required to issue recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2012. |
| While I appreciate the intent of this section, the Department of Social and Health Services has already included the convening of a similar work group in its plan for improvements to the children's mental health system. I am directing the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services to consider the Legislature's intent in the composition and tasks of the work group and to keep the Legislature informed of its efforts. Creation of a work group in statute and the preparation of a formal report are not necessary. |
| For this reason, I have vetoed Section 3 of Substitute House Bill 2657. |
| With the exception of Section 3, Substitute House Bill 2657 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine Gregoire |
| Governor |