SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1868
BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Moyer, Holm, Pruitt, Rayburn, Fox, Rasmussen, Cantwell, Scott, H. Sommers, Valle, Dorn, P. King, Winsley, Silver, Walker, Holland, May, D. Sommers, Zellinsky, Miller, Anderson, Todd, Cooper and Brough)
Establishing a temporary commission on organization of social and health services.
House Committe on Human Services
Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations
Senate Committee on Children & Family Services
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988
Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)
AS OF FEBRUARY 24, 1988
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was created as an umbrella agency in 1970. DSHS administers six programs, making Washington a state with one of the most comprehensive human service agencies in the country.
Public officials are stating concerns which include a desire to improve coordination, efficiency and integration in human service delivery during a time of budget austerity. Children's advocates are seeking a higher priority for children's services and regional providers are asking for a system more responsive to local needs.
Various legislative approaches have been considered to reorganize the state's delivery of human services but none were enacted. There continues to be sentiment to examine the delivery of social and health services to achieve the most efficient and effective delivery of quality services.
SUMMARY:
A temporary commission, the Commission on Organization of Social and Health Services, is created to complete and submit a reorganization plan to the Legislature for consideration during the 1990 session.
The commission is to be composed of sixteen members, eight of whom are to be experts in public policy and administration appointed by the governor. Eight of the commission members are to be legislators, two chosen by each of the four caucuses of the Legislature. At least one of the nonlegislative members shall be a member of the Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability. The chairman is to be appointed by the governor from among commission members.
The commission's mandate is to examine and make recommendations regarding the structure of state agencies providing social and health services.
The commission's study is to include a review of alternative funding approaches and service delivery systems, case management structures, and locally based management systems. An analysis of other state delivery systems and research regarding federal, state and local laws are to be included in the study.
Coordination is required with other related ongoing organizational efforts, such as those underway by the Governor's Commission on Children, the Washington State Commission on Efficiency and Accountability, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, and the Local Governance Study Commission.
The study process must include public hearings and solicitation of advice from recommendations of specified interest groups and organizations. Periodic reports are to be given to the Governor, the appropriate legislative standing committees and the Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability in Government.
Recommendations are to be submitted by October 1, 1989. The governor may submit comments and proposed revisions by January 1, 1990 and the Legislature shall consider and approve or disapprove the plan, or revisions thereto, during the first thirty days of session.
A moratorium is created on making DSHS structural changes at or above the division level to last from the effective date of the legislation until the Legislature acts on the commission's plan, or until June 30, 1990.
The commission is authorized to appoint or contract for staff services necessary to carry out its duties. An appropriation is made from existing biennial budgets, $37,500 each from Senate and House funds and $75,000 from funds appropriated to DSHS, for a total of $150,000.
Appropriation: $150,000 to the Commission on Organization of Social and Health Services (Funds are earmarked from existing appropriations.)
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Effective Date:July 1, 1988
Appointments by Legislature Required: Two temporary commission members from each caucus of the Legislature.