BILL REQ. #: Z-0750.1
| State of Washington | 63rd Legislature | 2014 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/20/14. Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
AN ACT Relating to state purchasing of mental health and chemical dependency treatment services; amending RCW 71.24.015, 71.24.016, 71.24.025, 71.24.035, 71.24.045, 71.24.100, 71.24.110, 71.24.340, 71.24.420, 70.96A.020, 70.96A.040, 70.96A.050, 70.96A.080, and 70.96A.320; amending 2013 c 338 s 1 (uncodified); adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1 2013 c 338 s 1 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Beginning ((May)) February 1, 2014, the legislature shall
convene a task force to examine reform of the adult behavioral health
system, with voting members as provided in this subsection.
(i) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each
of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
(ii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one
member from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of
representatives.
(iii) The governor shall appoint five members consisting of the
secretary of the department of social and health services or the
secretary's designee, the director of the health care authority or the
director's designee, the director of the office of financial management
or the director's designee, the secretary of the department of
corrections or the secretary's designee, and a representative of the
governor.
(iv) The Washington state association of counties shall appoint
three members.
(v) The governor shall request participation by a representative of
tribal governments.
(b) The task force shall choose two cochairs from among its
legislative members.
(c) The task force shall adopt a bottom-up approach and welcome
input and participation from all stakeholders interested in the
improvement of the adult behavioral health system. To that end, the
task force must invite participation from, at a minimum, the following:
Behavioral health service recipients and their families; local
government; representatives of regional support networks;
representatives of county coordinators; law enforcement; city and
county jails; tribal representatives; behavioral health service
providers; housing providers; labor representatives; counties with
state hospitals; mental health advocates; public defenders with
involuntary mental health commitment or mental health court experience;
medicaid managed care plan representatives; long-term care service
providers; the Washington state hospital association; and individuals
with expertise in evidence-based and research-based behavioral health
service practices. Leadership of subcommittees formed by the task
force may be drawn from this body of invited participants.
(2) The task force shall undertake a systemwide review of the adult
behavioral health system and make recommendations for reform
concerning, but not limited to, the following:
(a) The means by which services are purchased and delivered for
adults with mental illness and chemical dependency disorders through
the department of social and health services and the health care
authority, including:
(i) Guidance for the creation of common regional service areas for
purchasing behavioral health and medical care services by the
department and the authority, taking into consideration any proposal
submitted by the Washington state association of counties under section
2 of this act;
(ii) Recommendations related to the design and requirements of
future medicaid behavioral health and health care delivery systems and
purchasing; and
(iii) Advice regarding state interactions with the federal centers
for medicare and medicaid services regarding Washington state's method
of purchasing medicaid mental health services;
(b) Availability of effective means to promote recovery and prevent
harm associated with mental illness;
(c) Crisis services, including boarding of mental health patients
outside of regularly certified treatment beds;
(d) Best practices for cross-system collaboration between
behavioral health treatment providers, medical care providers, long-term care service providers, entities providing health home services to
high-risk medicaid clients, law enforcement, and criminal justice
agencies; and
(e) Public safety practices involving persons with mental illness
with forensic involvement.
(3) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the senate
committee services and the house of representatives office of program
research.
(4) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for
travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative
members, except those representing an employer or organization, are
entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW
43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(5) The expenses of the task force must be paid jointly by the
senate and house of representatives. Task force expenditures are
subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee
and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their
successor committees.
(6) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to
the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by
January 1, 2015, except that recommendations under subsection (2)(a)(i)
of this section must be submitted to the governor by August 1, 2014,
and recommendations under subsection (2)(a)(ii) and (iii) of this
section must be submitted to the governor by September 1, 2014.
(7) This section expires June 1, 2015.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The department and the health care authority shall jointly
establish regional service areas by September 1, 2014, as provided in
this section.
(2) Counties, through the Washington state association of counties,
must be given the opportunity to propose the composition of no more
than nine regional service areas. Each service area must:
(a) Include a sufficient number of medicaid lives to support full
financial risk managed care contracting for services included in
contracts with the department or the health care authority;
(b) Include full counties that are contiguous with one another; and
(c) Reflect natural medical and behavioral health service referral
patterns and shared clinical, health care service, behavioral health
service, and behavioral health crisis response resources.
(3) The Washington state association of counties must submit their
recommendations to the department, the health care authority, and the
task force described in section 1 of this act on or before July 1,
2014.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Any agreement or contract by the department or the health care
authority to provide behavioral health services as defined under RCW
71.24.025 to persons eligible for benefits under medicaid, Title XIX of
the social security act, and to persons not eligible for medicaid must
include the following:
(a) Contractual provisions consistent with the intent expressed in
RCW 71.24.015, 71.36.005, 70.96A.010, and 70.96A.011;
(b) Standards regarding the quality of services to be provided,
including increased use of evidence-based, research-based, and
promising practices, as defined in RCW 71.24.025;
(c) Accountability for the client outcomes established in RCW
43.20A.895 and 71.36.025 and performance measures linked to those
outcomes;
(d) Standards requiring regional support networks to maintain a
network of appropriate providers that is supported by written
agreements sufficient to provide adequate access to all services
covered under the contract with the department or the health care
authority and to protect essential existing behavioral health system
infrastructure and capacity;
(e) Standards requiring the use of behavioral health service
provider reimbursement methods that incentivize improved performance
with respect to the client outcomes established in RCW 43.20A.895 and
71.36.025, integration of behavioral health and primary care services
at the clinical level, and improved care coordination for individuals
with complex care needs;
(f) Standards related to the financial integrity of the responding
organization. The department shall adopt rules establishing the
solvency requirements and other financial integrity standards for
regional support networks. This subsection does not limit the
authority of the department to take action under a contract upon
finding that a regional support network's financial status seriously
jeopardizes the organization's ability to meet its contractual
obligations;
(g) Mechanisms for monitoring performance under the contract and
remedies for failure to substantially comply with the requirements of
the contract including, but not limited to, financial penalties,
termination of the contract, receivership, and reprocurement of the
contract;
(h) Provisions to maintain the decision-making independence of
designated mental health professionals; and
(i) Provisions stating that public funds appropriated by the
legislature may not be used to promote or deter, encourage, or
discourage employees from exercising their rights under Title 29,
chapter 7, subchapter II, United States Code or chapter 41.56 RCW.
(2) The following factors must be given significant weight in any
purchasing process:
(a) Demonstrated commitment and experience in serving low-income
populations;
(b) Demonstrated commitment and experience serving persons who have
severe mental illness or chemical dependency;
(c) Demonstrated commitment to and experience with partnerships
with county and municipal criminal justice systems, housing services,
and other critical support services necessary to achieve the outcomes
established in RCW 43.20A.895 and 71.36.025;
(d) Recognition that meeting enrollees' physical and behavioral
health care needs is a shared responsibility of contracted regional
support networks, managed health care systems, service providers, the
state, and communities, and that the delivery of better integrated,
person-centered care requires the full spectrum of an individual's
health care needs be addressed;
(e) Consideration of past and current performance and participation
in other state or federal behavioral health programs as a contractor;
and
(f) The ability to meet requirements established by the department.
(3) For purposes of purchasing behavioral health services and
medical care services for persons eligible for benefits under medicaid,
Title XIX of the social security act and for persons not eligible for
medicaid, the department and the health care authority must use common
regional service areas. The regional service areas must be established
by the department and the health care authority as provided in section
2 of this act.
(4) Consideration must be given to using multiple-year contracting
periods.
Sec. 4 RCW 71.24.015 and 2005 c 503 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
It is the intent of the legislature to establish a community mental
health program which shall help people experiencing mental illness to
retain a respected and productive position in the community. This will
be accomplished through programs that focus on resilience and recovery,
and practices that are evidence-based, research-based, consensus-based,
or, where these do not exist, promising or emerging best practices,
which provide for:
(1) Access to mental health services for adults ((of the state who
are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill,)) with acute mental
illness, chronic mental illness, or who are seriously disturbed and
children ((of the state who are acutely mentally ill)) with acute
mental illness, or who are severely emotionally disturbed, or seriously
disturbed, which services recognize the special needs of underserved
populations, including minorities, children, the elderly, ((disabled))
individuals with disabilities, and low-income persons. Access to
mental health services shall not be limited by a person's history of
confinement in a state, federal, or local correctional facility. It is
also the purpose of this chapter to promote the early identification of
((mentally ill)) children with mental illness and to ensure that they
receive the mental health care and treatment which is appropriate to
their developmental level. This care should improve home, school, and
community functioning, maintain children in a safe and nurturing home
environment, and should enable treatment decisions to be made in
response to clinical needs in accordance with sound professional
judgment while also recognizing parents' rights to participate in
treatment decisions for their children;
(2) The involvement of persons with mental illness, their family
members, and advocates in designing and implementing mental health
services that reduce unnecessary hospitalization and incarceration and
promote the recovery and employment of persons with mental illness. To
improve the quality of services available and promote the
rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration of persons with mental
illness, consumer and advocate participation in mental health services
is an integral part of the community mental health system and shall be
supported;
(3) Accountability of efficient and effective services through
state-of-the-art outcome and performance measures and statewide
standards for monitoring client and system outcomes, performance, and
reporting of client and system outcome information. These processes
shall be designed so as to maximize the use of available resources for
direct care of people with a mental illness and to assure uniform data
collection across the state;
(4) Minimum service delivery standards;
(5) Priorities for the use of available resources for the care of
((the mentally ill)) individuals with mental illness consistent with
the priorities defined in the statute;
(6) Coordination of services within the department, including those
divisions within the department that provide services to children,
between the department and the office of the superintendent of public
instruction, and among state mental hospitals, county authorities,
regional support networks, community mental health services, and other
support services, which shall to the maximum extent feasible also
include the families of ((the mentally ill)) individuals with mental
illness, and other service providers; and
(7) Coordination of services aimed at reducing duplication in
service delivery and promoting complementary services among all
entities that provide mental health services to adults and children.
It is the policy of the state to encourage the provision of a full
range of treatment and rehabilitation services in the state for mental
disorders including services operated by consumers and advocates. The
legislature intends to encourage the development of regional mental
health services with adequate local flexibility to assure eligible
people in need of care access to the least-restrictive treatment
alternative appropriate to their needs, and the availability of
treatment components to assure continuity of care. To this end,
counties ((are encouraged to)) must enter into joint operating
agreements with other counties to form regional systems of care that
are consistent with the regional service areas established under
section 2 of this act. Regional systems of care, whether operated by
a county, group of counties, or another entity shall integrate
planning, administration, and service delivery duties under chapters
71.05 and 71.24 RCW to consolidate administration, reduce
administrative layering, and reduce administrative costs. The
legislature hereby finds and declares that sound fiscal management
requires vigilance to ensure that funds appropriated by the legislature
for the provision of needed community mental health programs and
services are ultimately expended solely for the purpose for which they
were appropriated, and not for any other purpose.
It is further the intent of the legislature to integrate the
provision of services to provide continuity of care through all phases
of treatment. To this end, the legislature intends to promote active
engagement with ((mentally ill)) persons with mental illness and
collaboration between families and service providers.
Sec. 5 RCW 71.24.016 and 2006 c 333 s 102 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) The legislature intends that eastern and western state
hospitals shall operate as clinical centers for handling the most
complicated long-term care needs of patients with a primary diagnosis
of mental disorder. It is further the intent of the legislature that
the community mental health service delivery system focus on
maintaining ((mentally ill)) individuals with mental illness in the
community. The program shall be evaluated and managed through a
limited number of outcome and performance measures ((designed to hold
each regional support network accountable for program success)), as
provided in RCW 43.20A.895 and 71.36.025.
(2) The legislature intends to address the needs of people with
mental disorders with a targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive set of
evidence-based practices that are effective in serving individuals in
their community and will reduce the need for placements in state mental
hospitals. The legislature further intends to explicitly hold regional
support networks accountable for serving people with mental disorders
within the boundaries of their ((geographic boundaries)) procurement
regions and for not exceeding their allocation of state hospital beds.
Within funds appropriated by the legislature for this purpose, regional
support networks shall develop the means to serve the needs of people
with mental disorders within ((their geographic)) the boundaries of
their procurement region. Elements of the program may include:
(a) Crisis ((triage)) diversion services;
(b) Evaluation and treatment and community hospital beds;
(c) Residential beds;
(d) Programs for community treatment teams; ((and))
(e) Outpatient services;
(f) Peer support services;
(g) Community support services;
(h) Resource management services; and
(i) Supported housing and supported employment services.
(3) The regional support network shall have the flexibility, within
the funds appropriated by the legislature for this purpose and the
terms of their contract, to design the mix of services that will be
most effective within their service area of meeting the needs of people
with mental disorders and avoiding placement of such individuals at the
state mental hospital. Regional support networks are encouraged to
maximize the use of evidence-based practices and alternative resources
with the goal of substantially reducing and potentially eliminating the
use of institutions for mental diseases.
Sec. 6 RCW 71.24.025 and 2013 c 338 s 5 are each amended to read
as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in
this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to a
short-term severe crisis episode of:
(a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case
of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
(b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the
case of a child, a gravely disabled minor as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
or
(c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW
71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020.
(2) "Available resources" means funds appropriated for the purpose
of providing community mental health programs, federal funds, except
those provided according to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and
state funds appropriated under this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW by the
legislature during any biennium for the purpose of providing
residential services, resource management services, community support
services, and other mental health services. This does not include
funds appropriated for the purpose of operating and administering the
state psychiatric hospitals.
(3) "Behavioral health services" means mental health services as
described in this chapter and chemical dependency treatment services as
described in chapter 70.96A RCW.
(4) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.
(((4))) (5) "Chronically mentally ill adult" or "adult who is
chronically mentally ill" means an adult who has a mental disorder and
meets at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a
mental disorder within the preceding two years; or
(b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or
residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the
preceding year; or
(c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity
by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous
period of not less than twelve months. "Substantial gainful activity"
shall be defined by the department by rule consistent with Public Law
92-603, as amended.
(((5))) (6) "Clubhouse" means a community-based program that
provides rehabilitation services and is certified by the department of
social and health services.
(((6))) (7) "Community mental health program" means all mental
health services, activities, or programs using available resources.
(((7))) (8) "Community mental health service delivery system" means
public or private agencies that provide services specifically to
persons with mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020 and
receive funding from public sources.
(((8))) (9) "Community support services" means services authorized,
planned, and coordinated through resource management services
including, at a minimum, assessment, diagnosis, emergency crisis
intervention available twenty-four hours, seven days a week,
prescreening determinations for persons who are mentally ill being
considered for placement in nursing homes as required by federal law,
screening for patients being considered for admission to residential
services, diagnosis and treatment for children who are acutely mentally
ill or severely emotionally disturbed discovered under screening
through the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis,
and treatment program, investigation, legal, and other nonresidential
services under chapter 71.05 RCW, case management services, psychiatric
treatment including medication supervision, counseling, psychotherapy,
assuring transfer of relevant patient information between service
providers, recovery services, and other services determined by regional
support networks.
(((9))) (10) "Consensus-based" means a program or practice that has
general support among treatment providers and experts, based on
experience or professional literature, and may have anecdotal or case
study support, or that is agreed but not possible to perform studies
with random assignment and controlled groups.
(((10))) (11) "County authority" means the board of county
commissioners, county council, or county executive having authority to
establish a community mental health program, or two or more of the
county authorities specified in this subsection which have entered into
an agreement to provide a community mental health program.
(((11))) (12) "Department" means the department of social and
health services.
(((12))) (13) "Designated mental health professional" means a
mental health professional designated by the county or other authority
authorized in rule to perform the duties specified in this chapter.
(((13))) (14) "Emerging best practice" or "promising practice"
means a program or practice that, based on statistical analyses or a
well established theory of change, shows potential for meeting the
evidence-based or research-based criteria, which may include the use of
a program that is evidence-based for outcomes other than those listed
in subsection (((14))) (15) of this section.
(((14))) (15) "Evidence-based" means a program or practice that has
been tested in heterogeneous or intended populations with multiple
randomized, or statistically controlled evaluations, or both; or one
large multiple site randomized, or statistically controlled evaluation,
or both, where the weight of the evidence from a systemic review
demonstrates sustained improvements in at least one outcome.
"Evidence-based" also means a program or practice that can be
implemented with a set of procedures to allow successful replication in
Washington and, when possible, is determined to be cost-beneficial.
(((15))) (16) "Licensed service provider" means an entity licensed
according to this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW or an entity deemed to
meet state minimum standards as a result of accreditation by a
recognized behavioral health accrediting body recognized and having a
current agreement with the department, that meets state minimum
standards or persons licensed under chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.83, or
18.79 RCW, as it applies to registered nurses and advanced registered
nurse practitioners.
(((16))) (17) "Long-term inpatient care" means inpatient services
for persons committed for, or voluntarily receiving intensive treatment
for, periods of ninety days or greater under chapter 71.05 RCW. "Long-term inpatient care" as used in this chapter does not include: (a)
Services for individuals committed under chapter 71.05 RCW who are
receiving services pursuant to a conditional release or a court-ordered
less restrictive alternative to detention; or (b) services for
individuals voluntarily receiving less restrictive alternative
treatment on the grounds of the state hospital.
(((17))) (18) "Mental health services" means all services provided
by regional support networks and other services provided by the state
for persons who are mentally ill.
(((18))) (19) "Mentally ill persons," "persons who are mentally
ill," and "the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in
subsections (1), (((4), (27), and (28))) (5), (28), and (29) of this
section.
(((19))) (20) "Recovery" means the process in which people are able
to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
(((20))) (21) "Regional support network" means a county authority
or group of county authorities or other entity recognized by the
secretary in contract in a defined ((region)) regional service area.
(((21))) (22) "Registration records" include all the records of the
department, regional support networks, treatment facilities, and other
persons providing services to the department, county departments, or
facilities which identify persons who are receiving or who at any time
have received services for mental illness.
(((22))) (23) "Research-based" means a program or practice that has
been tested with a single randomized, or statistically controlled
evaluation, or both, demonstrating sustained desirable outcomes; or
where the weight of the evidence from a systemic review supports
sustained outcomes as described in subsection (((14))) (15) of this
section but does not meet the full criteria for evidence-based.
(((23))) (24) "Residential services" means a complete range of
residences and supports authorized by resource management services and
which may involve a facility, a distinct part thereof, or services
which support community living, for persons who are acutely mentally
ill, adults who are chronically mentally ill, children who are severely
emotionally disturbed, or adults who are seriously disturbed and
determined by the regional support network to be at risk of becoming
acutely or chronically mentally ill. The services shall include at
least evaluation and treatment services as defined in chapter 71.05
RCW, acute crisis respite care, long-term adaptive and rehabilitative
care, and supervised and supported living services, and shall also
include any residential services developed to service persons who are
mentally ill in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult
family homes, and may include outpatient services provided as an
element in a package of services in a supported housing model.
Residential services for children in out-of-home placements related to
their mental disorder shall not include the costs of food and shelter,
except for children's long-term residential facilities existing prior
to January 1, 1991.
(((24))) (25) "Resilience" means the personal and community
qualities that enable individuals to rebound from adversity, trauma,
tragedy, threats, or other stresses, and to live productive lives.
(((25))) (26) "Resource management services" mean the planning,
coordination, and authorization of residential services and community
support services administered pursuant to an individual service plan
for: (a) Adults and children who are acutely mentally ill; (b) adults
who are chronically mentally ill; (c) children who are severely
emotionally disturbed; or (d) adults who are seriously disturbed and
determined solely by a regional support network to be at risk of
becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. Such planning,
coordination, and authorization shall include mental health screening
for children eligible under the federal Title XIX early and periodic
screening, diagnosis, and treatment program. Resource management
services include seven day a week, twenty-four hour a day availability
of information regarding enrollment of adults and children who are
mentally ill in services and their individual service plan to
designated mental health professionals, evaluation and treatment
facilities, and others as determined by the regional support network.
(((26))) (27) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health
services.
(((27))) (28) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:
(a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm to
himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a result
of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;
(b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less
restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two
years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental
health hospital;
(c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several
areas of daily living;
(d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or
(e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as
defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, as experiencing a mental disorder which
is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school
or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's personality
development and learning.
(((28))) (29) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" or "child who
is severely emotionally disturbed" means a child who has been
determined by the regional support network to be experiencing a mental
disorder as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, including those mental
disorders that result in a behavioral or conduct disorder, that is
clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or
with peers and who meets at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Has undergone inpatient treatment or placement outside of the
home related to a mental disorder within the last two years;
(b) Has undergone involuntary treatment under chapter 71.34 RCW
within the last two years;
(c) Is currently served by at least one of the following child-serving systems: Juvenile justice, child-protection/welfare, special
education, or developmental disabilities;
(d) Is at risk of escalating maladjustment due to:
(i) Chronic family dysfunction involving a caretaker who is
mentally ill or inadequate;
(ii) Changes in custodial adult;
(iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement
outside of the home, for example, psychiatric hospital, short-term
inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a
correctional facility;
(iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect;
(v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or
(vi) Homelessness.
(((29))) (30) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements
established by rules adopted by the secretary and necessary to
implement this chapter for: (a) Delivery of mental health services;
(b) licensed service providers for the provision of mental health
services; (c) residential services; and (d) community support services
and resource management services.
(((30))) (31) "Treatment records" include registration and all
other records concerning persons who are receiving or who at any time
have received services for mental illness, which are maintained by the
department, by regional support networks and their staffs, and by
treatment facilities. Treatment records do not include notes or
records maintained for personal use by a person providing treatment
services for the department, regional support networks, or a treatment
facility if the notes or records are not available to others.
(((31))) (32) "Tribal authority," for the purposes of this section
and RCW 71.24.300 only, means: The federally recognized Indian tribes
and the major Indian organizations recognized by the secretary insofar
as these organizations do not have a financial relationship with any
regional support network that would present a conflict of interest.
Sec. 7 RCW 71.24.035 and 2013 c 200 s 24 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) The department is designated as the state mental health
authority.
(2) The secretary shall provide for public, client, and licensed
service provider participation in developing the state mental health
program, developing contracts with regional support networks, and any
waiver request to the federal government under medicaid.
(3) The secretary shall provide for participation in developing the
state mental health program for children and other underserved
populations, by including representatives on any committee established
to provide oversight to the state mental health program.
(4) The secretary shall be designated as the regional support
network if the regional support network fails to meet state minimum
standards or refuses to exercise responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045,
until such time as a new regional support network is designated under
RCW 71.24.320.
(5) The secretary shall:
(a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that
incorporates regional biennial needs assessments and regional mental
health service plans and state services for adults and children with
mental illness((. The secretary shall also develop a six-year state
mental health plan));
(b) Assure that any regional support network or county community
mental health program provides ((access to treatment for the region's
residents, including parents who are respondents in dependency cases,
in the following order of priority: (i) Persons with acute mental
illness; (ii) adults with chronic mental illness and children who are
severely emotionally disturbed; and (iii) persons who are seriously
disturbed. Such programs shall provide:)) medically necessary services to
medicaid recipients consistent with the state's medicaid state plan or
federal waiver authorities, and nonmedicaid services consistent with
priorities established by the department;
(A) Outpatient services;
(B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;
(C) Day treatment for persons with mental illness which includes
training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational
rehabilitation, and day activities. Such services may include
therapeutic treatment. In the case of a child, day treatment includes
age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and
prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;
(D) Screening for patients being considered for admission to state
mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of admission;
(E) Employment services, which may include supported employment,
transitional work, placement in competitive employment, and other work-related services, that result in persons with mental illness becoming
engaged in meaningful and gainful full or part-time work. Other
sources of funding such as the division of vocational rehabilitation
may be utilized by the secretary to maximize federal funding and
provide for integration of services;
(F) Consultation and education services; and
(G) Community support services
(c) Develop and adopt rules establishing state minimum standards
for the delivery of mental health services pursuant to RCW 71.24.037
including, but not limited to:
(i) Licensed service providers. These rules shall permit a county-operated mental health program to be licensed as a service provider
subject to compliance with applicable statutes and rules. The
secretary shall provide for deeming of compliance with state minimum
standards for those entities accredited by recognized behavioral health
accrediting bodies recognized and having a current agreement with the
department;
(ii) Regional support networks; and
(iii) Inpatient services, evaluation and treatment services and
facilities under chapter 71.05 RCW, resource management services, and
community support services;
(d) Assure that the special needs of persons who are minorities,
elderly, disabled, children, low-income, and parents who are
respondents in dependency cases are met within the priorities
established in this section;
(e) Establish a standard contract or contracts, consistent with
state minimum standards, RCW 71.24.320 and 71.24.330, which shall be
used in contracting with regional support networks. The standard
contract shall include a maximum fund balance, which shall be
consistent with that required by federal regulations or waiver
stipulations;
(f) Establish, to the extent possible, a standardized auditing
procedure which is designed to assure compliance with contractual
agreements authorized by this chapter and minimizes paperwork
requirements of regional support networks and licensed service
providers. The audit procedure shall focus on the outcomes of service
((and not the processes for accomplishing them)) as provided in RCW
43.20A.895 and 71.36.025;
(g) Develop and maintain an information system to be used by the
state and regional support networks that includes a tracking method
which allows the department and regional support networks to identify
mental health clients' participation in any mental health service or
public program on an immediate basis. The information system shall not
include individual patient's case history files. Confidentiality of
client information and records shall be maintained as provided in this
chapter and chapter 70.02 RCW;
(h) License service providers who meet state minimum standards;
(i) ((Certify regional support networks that meet state minimum
standards;)) Periodically monitor the compliance of certified regional
support networks and their network of licensed service providers for
compliance with the contract between the department, the regional
support network, and federal and state rules at reasonable times and in
a reasonable manner;
(j)
(((k))) (j) Fix fees to be paid by evaluation and treatment centers
to the secretary for the required inspections;
(((l))) (k) Monitor and audit regional support networks and
licensed service providers as needed to assure compliance with
contractual agreements authorized by this chapter;
(((m))) (l) Adopt such rules as are necessary to implement the
department's responsibilities under this chapter;
(((n))) (m) Assure the availability of an appropriate amount, as
determined by the legislature in the operating budget by amounts
appropriated for this specific purpose, of community-based,
geographically distributed residential services;
(((o))) (n) Certify crisis stabilization units that meet state
minimum standards;
(((p))) (o) Certify clubhouses that meet state minimum standards;
and
(((q))) (p) Certify triage facilities that meet state minimum
standards.
(6) The secretary shall use available resources only for regional
support networks, except:
(a) To the extent authorized, and in accordance with any priorities
or conditions specified, in the biennial appropriations act; or
(b) To incentivize improved performance with respect to the client
outcomes established in RCW 43.20A.895 and 71.36.025, integration of
behavioral health and primary care services at the clinical level, and
improved care coordination for individuals with complex care needs.
(7) Each certified regional support network and licensed service
provider shall file with the secretary, on request, such data,
statistics, schedules, and information as the secretary reasonably
requires. A certified regional support network or licensed service
provider which, without good cause, fails to furnish any data,
statistics, schedules, or information as requested, or files fraudulent
reports thereof, may have its certification or license revoked or
suspended.
(8) The secretary may suspend, revoke, limit, or restrict a
certification or license, or refuse to grant a certification or license
for failure to conform to: (a) The law; (b) applicable rules and
regulations; (c) applicable standards; or (d) state minimum standards.
(9) The superior court may restrain any regional support network or
service provider from operating without certification or a license or
any other violation of this section. The court may also review,
pursuant to procedures contained in chapter 34.05 RCW, any denial,
suspension, limitation, restriction, or revocation of certification or
license, and grant other relief required to enforce the provisions of
this chapter.
(10) Upon petition by the secretary, and after hearing held upon
reasonable notice to the facility, the superior court may issue a
warrant to an officer or employee of the secretary authorizing him or
her to enter at reasonable times, and examine the records, books, and
accounts of any regional support network or service provider refusing
to consent to inspection or examination by the authority.
(11) Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy,
the secretary may file an action for an injunction or other process
against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the
establishment, conduct, or operation of a regional support network or
service provider without certification or a license under this chapter.
(12) The standards for certification of evaluation and treatment
facilities shall include standards relating to maintenance of good
physical and mental health and other services to be afforded persons
pursuant to this chapter and chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW, and shall
otherwise assure the effectuation of the purposes of these chapters.
(13) The standards for certification of crisis stabilization units
shall include standards that:
(a) Permit location of the units at a jail facility if the unit is
physically separate from the general population of the jail;
(b) Require administration of the unit by mental health
professionals who direct the stabilization and rehabilitation efforts;
and
(c) Provide an environment affording security appropriate with the
alleged criminal behavior and necessary to protect the public safety.
(14) The standards for certification of a clubhouse shall at a
minimum include:
(a) The facilities may be peer-operated and must be
recovery-focused;
(b) Members and employees must work together;
(c) Members must have the opportunity to participate in all the
work of the clubhouse, including administration, research, intake and
orientation, outreach, hiring, training and evaluation of staff, public
relations, advocacy, and evaluation of clubhouse effectiveness;
(d) Members and staff and ultimately the clubhouse director must be
responsible for the operation of the clubhouse, central to this
responsibility is the engagement of members and staff in all aspects of
clubhouse operations;
(e) Clubhouse programs must be comprised of structured activities
including but not limited to social skills training, vocational
rehabilitation, employment training and job placement, and community
resource development;
(f) Clubhouse programs must provide in-house educational programs
that significantly utilize the teaching and tutoring skills of members
and assist members by helping them to take advantage of adult education
opportunities in the community;
(g) Clubhouse programs must focus on strengths, talents, and
abilities of its members;
(h) The work-ordered day may not include medication clinics, day
treatment, or other therapy programs within the clubhouse.
(15) The department shall distribute appropriated state and federal
funds in accordance with any priorities, terms, or conditions specified
in the appropriations act.
(16) The secretary shall assume all duties assigned to the
nonparticipating regional support networks under chapters 71.05 and
71.34 RCW and this chapter. Such responsibilities shall include those
which would have been assigned to the nonparticipating counties in
regions where there are not participating regional support networks.
The regional support networks, or the secretary's assumption of all
responsibilities under chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW and this chapter,
shall be included in all state and federal plans affecting the state
mental health program including at least those required by this
chapter, the medicaid program, and P.L. 99-660. Nothing in these plans
shall be inconsistent with the intent and requirements of this chapter.
(17) The secretary shall:
(a) Disburse funds for the regional support networks within sixty
days of approval of the biennial contract. The department must either
approve or reject the biennial contract within sixty days of receipt.
(b) Enter into biennial contracts with regional support networks.
The contracts shall be consistent with available resources. No
contract shall be approved that does not include progress toward
meeting the goals of this chapter by taking responsibility for: (i)
Short-term commitments; (ii) residential care; and (iii) emergency
response systems.
(c) Notify regional support networks of their allocation of
available resources at least sixty days prior to the start of a new
biennial contract period.
(d) Deny all or part of the funding allocations to regional support
networks based solely upon formal findings of noncompliance with the
terms of the regional support network's contract with the department.
Regional support networks disputing the decision of the secretary to
withhold funding allocations are limited to the remedies provided in
the department's contracts with the regional support networks.
(18) The department, in cooperation with the state congressional
delegation, shall actively seek waivers of federal requirements and
such modifications of federal regulations as are necessary to allow
federal medicaid reimbursement for services provided by freestanding
evaluation and treatment facilities certified under chapter 71.05 RCW.
The department shall periodically report its efforts to the appropriate
committees of the senate and the house of representatives.
Sec. 8 RCW 71.24.045 and 2006 c 333 s 105 are each amended to
read as follows:
The regional support network shall:
(1) Contract as needed with licensed service providers. The
regional support network may, in the absence of a licensed service
provider entity, become a licensed service provider entity pursuant to
minimum standards required for licensing by the department for the
purpose of providing services not available from licensed service
providers;
(2) Operate as a licensed service provider if it deems that doing
so is more efficient and cost effective than contracting for services.
When doing so, the regional support network shall comply with rules
promulgated by the secretary that shall provide measurements to
determine when a regional support network provided service is more
efficient and cost effective;
(3) Monitor and perform biennial fiscal audits of licensed service
providers who have contracted with the regional support network to
provide services required by this chapter. The monitoring and audits
shall be performed by means of a formal process which insures that the
licensed service providers and professionals designated in this
subsection meet the terms of their contracts;
(4) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly,
((disabled)) individuals with disabilities, children, and low-income
persons are met within the priorities established in this chapter;
(5) Maintain patient tracking information in a central location as
required for resource management services and the department's
information system;
(6) Collaborate to ensure that policies do not result in an adverse
shift of ((mentally ill)) persons with mental illness into state and
local correctional facilities;
(7) Work with the department to expedite the enrollment or re-enrollment of eligible persons leaving state or local correctional
facilities and institutions for mental diseases;
(8) ((If a regional support network is not operated by the
county,)) Work closely with the county designated mental health
professional or county designated crisis responder to maximize
appropriate placement of persons into community services; and
(9) Coordinate services for individuals who have received services
through the community mental health system and who become patients at
a state mental hospital to ensure they are transitioned into the
community in accordance with mutually agreed upon discharge plans and
upon determination by the medical director of the state mental hospital
that they no longer need intensive inpatient care.
Sec. 9 RCW 71.24.100 and 2012 c 117 s 442 are each amended to
read as follows:
A county authority or a group of county authorities may enter into
a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network whose
boundaries are consistent with the regional service areas established
under section 2 of this act. Any agreement between two or more county
authorities for the establishment of a regional support network shall
provide:
(1) That each county shall bear a share of the cost of mental
health services; and
(2) That the treasurer of one participating county shall be the
custodian of funds made available for the purposes of such mental
health services, and that the treasurer may make payments from such
funds upon audit by the appropriate auditing officer of the county for
which he or she is treasurer.
Sec. 10 RCW 71.24.110 and 1999 c 10 s 7 are each amended to read
as follows:
An agreement ((for the establishment of a community mental health
program)) to contract with the state to operate a regional support
network under RCW 71.24.100 may also provide:
(1) For the joint supervision or operation of services and
facilities, or for the supervision or operation of service and
facilities by one participating county under contract for the other
participating counties; and
(2) For such other matters as are necessary or proper to effectuate
the purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 11 RCW 71.24.340 and 2005 c 503 s 13 are each amended to
read as follows:
The secretary shall require the regional support networks to
develop ((interlocal agreements pursuant to RCW 74.09.555. To this
end, the regional support networks shall)) agreements with city and
county jails to accept referrals for enrollment on behalf of a confined
person, prior to the person's release.
Sec. 12 RCW 71.24.420 and 2001 c 323 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
The department shall operate the community mental health service
delivery system authorized under this chapter within the following
constraints:
(1) The full amount of federal funds for mental health services,
plus qualifying state expenditures as appropriated in the biennial
operating budget, shall be appropriated to the department each year in
the biennial appropriations act to carry out the provisions of the
community mental health service delivery system authorized in this
chapter.
(2) The department may expend funds defined in subsection (1) of
this section in any manner that will effectively accomplish the outcome
measures ((defined in section 5 of this act)) established in RCW
43.20A.895 and 71.36.025 and performance measures linked to those
outcomes.
(3) The department shall implement strategies that accomplish the
outcome measures ((identified in section 5 of this act that are within
the funding constraints in this section)) established in RCW 43.20A.895
and 71.36.025 and performance measures linked to those outcomes.
(4) The department shall monitor expenditures against the
appropriation levels provided for in subsection (1) of this section.
Sec. 13 RCW 70.96A.020 and 2001 c 13 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases
shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires
otherwise:
(1) "Alcoholic" means a person who suffers from the disease of
alcoholism.
(2) "Alcoholism" means a disease, characterized by a dependency on
alcoholic beverages, loss of control over the amount and circumstances
of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or psychological
withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued, and impairment
of health or disruption of social or economic functioning.
(3) "Approved treatment program" means a discrete program of
chemical dependency treatment provided by a treatment program certified
by the department of social and health services as meeting standards
adopted under this chapter.
(4) "Behavioral health services" means mental health services as
described in chapter 71.24 RCW and chemical dependency treatment
services as described in this chapter.
(5) "Chemical dependency" means: (a) Alcoholism; (b) drug
addiction; or (c) dependence on alcohol and one or more other
psychoactive chemicals, as the context requires.
(((5))) (6) "Chemical dependency program" means expenditures and
activities of the department designed and conducted to prevent or treat
alcoholism and other drug addiction, including reasonable
administration and overhead.
(((6))) (7) "Department" means the department of social and health
services.
(((7))) (8) "Designated chemical dependency specialist" or
"specialist" means a person designated by the county alcoholism and
other drug addiction program coordinator designated under RCW
70.96A.310 to perform the commitment duties described in RCW 70.96A.140
and qualified to do so by meeting standards adopted by the department.
(((8))) (9) "Director" means the person administering the chemical
dependency program within the department.
(((9))) (10) "Drug addict" means a person who suffers from the
disease of drug addiction.
(((10))) (11) "Drug addiction" means a disease characterized by a
dependency on psychoactive chemicals, loss of control over the amount
and circumstances of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or
psychological withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued,
and impairment of health or disruption of social or economic
functioning.
(((11))) (12) "Emergency service patrol" means a patrol established
under RCW 70.96A.170.
(((12))) (13) "Gravely disabled by alcohol or other psychoactive
chemicals" or "gravely disabled" means that a person, as a result of
the use of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals: (a) Is in danger
of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to provide for his or
her essential human needs of health or safety; or (b) manifests severe
deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by a repeated and
escalating loss of cognition or volitional control over his or her
actions and is not receiving care as essential for his or her health or
safety.
(((13))) (14) "History of one or more violent acts" refers to the
period of time ten years prior to the filing of a petition under this
chapter, excluding any time spent, but not any violent acts committed,
in a mental health facility, or a long-term alcoholism or drug
treatment facility, or in confinement.
(((14))) (15) "Incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive
chemicals" means that a person, as a result of the use of alcohol or
other psychoactive chemicals, is gravely disabled or presents a
likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself, to any other person,
or to property.
(((15))) (16) "Incompetent person" means a person who has been
adjudged incompetent by the superior court.
(((16))) (17) "Intoxicated person" means a person whose mental or
physical functioning is substantially impaired as a result of the use
of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals.
(((17))) (18) "Licensed physician" means a person licensed to
practice medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state of
Washington.
(((18))) (19) "Likelihood of serious harm" means:
(a) A substantial risk that: (i) Physical harm will be inflicted
by an individual upon his or her own person, as evidenced by threats or
attempts to commit suicide or inflict physical harm on one's self; (ii)
physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon another, as
evidenced by behavior that has caused the harm or that places another
person or persons in reasonable fear of sustaining the harm; or (iii)
physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon the property of
others, as evidenced by behavior that has caused substantial loss or
damage to the property of others; or
(b) The individual has threatened the physical safety of another
and has a history of one or more violent acts.
(((19))) (20) "Medical necessity" for inpatient care of a minor
means a requested certified inpatient service that is reasonably
calculated to: (a) Diagnose, arrest, or alleviate a chemical
dependency; or (b) prevent the worsening of chemical dependency
conditions that endanger life or cause suffering and pain, or result in
illness or infirmity or threaten to cause or aggravate a handicap, or
cause physical deformity or malfunction, and there is no adequate less
restrictive alternative available.
(((20))) (21) "Minor" means a person less than ((eighteen))
nineteen years of age.
(((21))) (22) "Parent" means the parent or parents who have the
legal right to custody of the child. Parent includes custodian or
guardian.
(((22))) (23) "Peace officer" means a law enforcement official of
a public agency or governmental unit, and includes persons specifically
given peace officer powers by any state law, local ordinance, or
judicial order of appointment.
(((23))) (24) "Person" means an individual, including a minor.
(((24))) (25) "Professional person in charge" or "professional
person" means a physician or chemical dependency counselor as defined
in rule by the department, who is empowered by a certified treatment
program with authority to make assessment, admission, continuing care,
and discharge decisions on behalf of the certified program.
(((25))) (26) "Regional support network" means a county authority,
group of county authorities, or other entity recognized by the
secretary in a defined regional service area.
(27) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social
and health services.
(((26))) (28) "Treatment" means the broad range of emergency,
detoxification, residential, and outpatient services and care,
including diagnostic evaluation, chemical dependency education and
counseling, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and social service
care, vocational rehabilitation and career counseling, which may be
extended to alcoholics and other drug addicts and their families,
persons incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and
intoxicated persons.
(((27))) (29) "Treatment program" means an organization,
institution, or corporation, public or private, engaged in the care,
treatment, or rehabilitation of alcoholics or other drug addicts.
(((28))) (30) "Violent act" means behavior that resulted in
homicide, attempted suicide, nonfatal injuries, or substantial damage
to property.
Sec. 14 RCW 70.96A.040 and 1989 c 270 s 5 are each amended to
read as follows:
The department, in the operation of the chemical dependency program
may:
(1) Plan, establish, and maintain prevention and treatment programs
as necessary or desirable;
(2) Make contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of
its duties and the execution of its powers, including contracts for
behavioral health services, contracts entered into under RCW 74.09.522,
or contracts with public and private agencies, organizations, and
individuals to pay them for services rendered or furnished to
alcoholics or other drug addicts, persons incapacitated by alcohol or
other psychoactive chemicals, or intoxicated persons;
(3) Enter into agreements for monitoring of verification of
qualifications of counselors employed by approved treatment programs;
(4) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to carry out the provisions
and purposes of this chapter and contract, cooperate, and coordinate
with other public or private agencies or individuals for those
purposes;
(5) 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, 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 in making an
application for any grant;
(6) Administer or supervise the administration of the provisions
relating to alcoholics, other drug addicts, and intoxicated persons of
any state plan submitted for federal funding pursuant to federal
health, welfare, or treatment legislation;
(7) Coordinate its activities and cooperate with chemical
dependency programs in this and other states, and make contracts and
other joint or cooperative arrangements with state, local, or private
agencies in this and other states for the treatment of alcoholics and
other drug addicts and their families, persons incapacitated by alcohol
or other psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons and for the
common advancement of chemical dependency programs;
(8) Keep records and engage in research and the gathering of
relevant statistics;
(9) Do other acts and things necessary or convenient to execute the
authority expressly granted to it;
(10) Acquire, hold, or dispose of real property or any interest
therein, and construct, lease, or otherwise provide treatment programs.
Sec. 15 RCW 70.96A.050 and 2001 c 13 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
The department shall:
(1) Develop, encourage, and foster statewide, regional, and local
plans and programs for the prevention of alcoholism and other drug
addiction, treatment of alcoholics and other drug addicts and their
families, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive
chemicals, and intoxicated persons in cooperation with public and
private agencies, organizations, and individuals and provide technical
assistance and consultation services for these purposes;
(2) Assure that any regional support network contract for
behavioral health services or program for the treatment of persons with
alcohol or drug use disorders provides medically necessary services to
medicaid recipients consistent with the state's medicaid plan or
federal waiver authorities, and nonmedicaid services consistent with
priorities established by the department;
(3) Coordinate the efforts and enlist the assistance of all public
and private agencies, organizations, and individuals interested in
prevention of alcoholism and drug addiction, and treatment of
alcoholics and other drug addicts and their families, persons
incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and
intoxicated persons;
(((3))) (4) Cooperate with public and private agencies in
establishing and conducting programs to provide treatment for
alcoholics and other drug addicts and their families, persons
incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and
intoxicated persons who are clients of the correctional system;
(((4))) (5) Cooperate with the superintendent of public
instruction, state board of education, schools, police departments,
courts, and other public and private agencies, organizations and
individuals in establishing programs for the prevention of alcoholism
and other drug addiction, treatment of alcoholics or other drug addicts
and their families, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other
psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons, and preparing
curriculum materials thereon for use at all levels of school education;
(((5))) (6) Prepare, publish, evaluate, and disseminate educational
material dealing with the nature and effects of alcohol and other
psychoactive chemicals and the consequences of their use;
(((6))) (7) Develop and implement, as an integral part of treatment
programs, an educational program for use in the treatment of alcoholics
or other drug addicts, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other
psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons, which program shall
include the dissemination of information concerning the nature and
effects of alcohol and other psychoactive chemicals, the consequences
of their use, the principles of recovery, and HIV and AIDS;
(((7))) (8) Organize and foster training programs for persons
engaged in treatment of alcoholics or other drug addicts, persons
incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and
intoxicated persons;
(((8))) (9) Sponsor and encourage research into the causes and
nature of alcoholism and other drug addiction, treatment of alcoholics
and other drug addicts, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other
psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons, and serve as a
clearinghouse for information relating to alcoholism or other drug
addiction;
(((9))) (10) Specify uniform methods for keeping statistical
information by public and private agencies, organizations, and
individuals, and collect and make available relevant statistical
information, including number of persons treated, frequency of
admission and readmission, and frequency and duration of treatment;
(((10))) (11) Advise the governor in the preparation of a
comprehensive plan for treatment of alcoholics and other drug addicts,
persons incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and
intoxicated persons for inclusion in the state's comprehensive health
plan;
(((11))) (12) Review all state health, welfare, and treatment plans
to be submitted for federal funding under federal legislation, and
advise the governor on provisions to be included relating to alcoholism
and other drug addiction, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other
psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons;
(((12))) (13) Assist in the development of, and cooperate with,
programs for alcohol and other psychoactive chemical education and
treatment for employees of state and local governments and businesses
and industries in the state;
(((13))) (14) Use the support and assistance of interested persons
in the community to encourage alcoholics and other drug addicts
voluntarily to undergo treatment;
(((14))) (15) Cooperate with public and private agencies in
establishing and conducting programs designed to deal with the problem
of persons operating motor vehicles while intoxicated;
(((15))) (16) Encourage general hospitals and other appropriate
health facilities to admit without discrimination alcoholics and other
drug addicts, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive
chemicals, and intoxicated persons and to provide them with adequate
and appropriate treatment;
(((16))) (17) Encourage all health and disability insurance
programs to include alcoholism and other drug addiction as a covered
illness; and
(((17))) (18) Organize and sponsor a statewide program to help
court personnel, including judges, better understand the disease of
alcoholism and other drug addiction and the uses of chemical dependency
treatment programs.
Sec. 16 RCW 70.96A.080 and 1989 c 270 s 18 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) In coordination with the health care authority, the department
shall establish by ((all)) appropriate means, including contracting
((for)), behavioral health services, including a comprehensive and
coordinated ((discrete)) program for the treatment of ((alcoholics and
other drug addicts and their families, persons incapacitated by alcohol
or other psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated)) persons with alcohol
and drug use disorders.
(2) The program shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(a) Detoxification;
(b) Residential treatment; and
(c) Outpatient treatment.
(3) All appropriate public and private resources shall be
coordinated with and used in the program when possible.
(4) The department may contract for the use of an approved
treatment program or other individual or organization if the secretary
considers this to be an effective and economical course to follow.
Sec. 17 RCW 70.96A.320 and 2013 c 320 s 8 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) A county legislative authority, or two or more counties acting
jointly, may establish an alcoholism and other drug addiction program.
If two or more counties jointly establish the program, they shall
designate one county to provide administrative and financial services.
(2) To be eligible for funds from the department for the support of
the county alcoholism and other drug addiction program, the county
legislative authority shall establish a county alcoholism and other
drug addiction board under RCW 70.96A.300 and appoint a county
alcoholism and other drug addiction program coordinator under RCW
70.96A.310.
(3) The county legislative authority may apply to the department
for financial support for the county program of alcoholism and other
drug addiction. To receive financial support, the county legislative
authority shall submit a plan that meets the following conditions:
(a) It shall describe the prevention, early intervention, or
recovery support services and activities to be provided;
(b) It shall include anticipated expenditures and revenues;
(c) It shall be prepared by the county alcoholism and other drug
addiction program board and be adopted by the county legislative
authority;
(d) It shall reflect maximum effective use of existing services and
programs; and
(e) It shall meet other conditions that the secretary may require.
(4) The county may accept and spend gifts, grants, and fees, from
public and private sources, to implement its program of alcoholism and
other drug addiction.
(5) The department shall require that any agreement to provide
financial support to a county that performs the activities of a service
coordination organization for alcoholism and other drug addiction
services must incorporate the expected outcomes and criteria to measure
the performance of service coordination organizations as provided in
chapter 70.320 RCW.
(6) The county may subcontract for prevention, early intervention,
or recovery support services with approved prevention or treatment
programs.
(7) To continue to be eligible for financial support from the
department for the county alcoholism and other drug addiction program,
an increase in state financial support shall not be used to supplant
local funds from a source that was used to support the county
alcoholism and other drug addiction program before the effective date
of the increase.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 18 Section 1 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. 19 Sections 4 through 17 of this act take
effect April 1, 2016.