1880-S.E AMS LBRC S3399.1
ESHB 1880 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Labor & Commerce
NOT CONSIDERED 12/23/2019
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the state continues to have a responsibility to provide resources related to prevention, treatment, and recovery for persons suffering with a gambling problem or gambling disorder. The state last reviewed problem gambling policies in 2005 and the gambling industry has nearly doubled to more than a three billion dollar industry since this last review. The legislature directed the gambling commission to contract for a preliminary problem gambling study in 2018. The study surveyed and reviewed current problem gambling programs and services and responsible gaming practices in the state and provided a report and recommendation to the legislature based on the findings in the report.
Therefore, the legislature finds that a joint legislative task force is necessary in order for there to be a comprehensive review of current problem gambling funding, services, programs, and policies, including review of the gambling commission's problem gambling study, report, and recommendations. The task force will be responsible for providing recommendations to the legislature on how the state should continue to meet its responsibility to assist those who suffer from a gambling problem or disorder.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A joint legislative task force on problem gambling is created. The task force membership is composed of:
(a) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
(b) One member from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(c) A representative from the health care authority;
(d) A representative from the department of health;
(e) A representative from the gambling commission;
(f) A representative from the state lottery;
(g) A representative from the horse racing commission;
(h) A representative from a nonprofit organization with experience in problem gambling treatment and recovery services;
(i) A representative with experience in problem gambling treatment;
(j) A representative with experience in problem gambling recovery services;
(k) A member of the public who is impacted by a gambling problem or gambling disorder;
(l) A representative from a problem gambling recovery group or organization;
(m) A representative from a mental health provider group or organization;
(n) A representative from a licensed gambling business or organization;
(o) A representative from each federally recognized tribe in Washington that elects to join the task force; and
(p) Other state agency representatives, or stakeholder group representatives, at the discretion of the task force, for the purpose of participating in specific topic discussions or subcommittees.
(2) The task force shall engage in the following activities:
(a) Review findings of the gambling commission's problem gambling study and report completed in 2018-19;
(b) Review existing prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address problem gambling and gambling disorders in this state by public, private, and nonprofit entities;
(c) Review current funding of problem gambling services, including the effectiveness of the state games of chance problem gambling business and occupation tax used for funding the problem gambling account in RCW 41.05.751;
(d) Review existing programs, services, and treatment programs used by other states, countries, and the federal government to address problem gambling and gambling disorders;
(e) At a minimum, make recommendations to the legislature regarding:
(i) How to proceed forward with a state prevalence study measuring the adult participation in gambling and adult problem gambling in this state;
(ii) Whether this state should expand state funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the need for these programs;
(iii) What steps the state should take to improve the current licensing and certification of problem gambling providers to meet the current and projected future demand for problem gambling services;
(iv) What steps the state should take to improve training and education for problem gambling providers; and
(v) What steps the state should take to improve access to problem gambling services in underserved areas and to underserved populations within the state;
(f) Identify any additional problem gambling areas for consideration and any actions needed to ensure the state and/or regulatory agencies are effectively addressing problem gambling in an attempt to reduce the number of persons impacted by this disorder.
(3) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, staff support for the task force must be provided by an independent facilitator or consultant contracted by the commission.
(4) The task force shall submit a preliminary report of recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 1, 2020, and a final report by November 30, 2021.
(5) This section expires November 30, 2022."
ESHB 1880 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Labor & Commerce
NOT CONSIDERED 12/23/2019
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "gambling;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 9.46 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Modifies the task force membership to include representatives with experience in problem gambling treatment and in recovery services, and each federally recognized tribe in Washington that elects to join the task force. Requires the task force to review current funding for problem gambling services. Modifies the requirements for reviewing existing programs. Adds "at a minimum" for the recommendations to be made to the Legislature and adds recommendations for steps the state should take regarding improving training, education, and access to services. Provides for staffing to the task force by an independent facilitator or consultant contracted by the Gambling Commission to the extent funding is appropriated.
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