FINAL BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   SSB 5598

 

 

                                  C 105 L 87

 

 

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Vognild, Metcalf, Bailey, Conner, Moore, Bender, Wojahn, Rasmussen, Bauer and Kiskaddon)

 

 

Establishing a distribution formula for grants to counties under the community mental services act.

 

 

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

 

 

House Committe on Human Services

 

 

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Department of Social and Health services is designated as the state mental health authority.  The statutes provide general guidance for distribution of mental health funds to counties and require the Department to propose a funding formula in the biennial budget documents.  Concerns exist regarding the ability of counties to:  (1) project the amount of funds they will receive; and (2) match the funding formula to the mandated service priorities counties must follow.

 

SUMMARY:

 

DSHS is required to create a new formula for redistribution of mental health funds to counties under the Community Mental Health Services Act.  The formula is based on service priority populations and local demographic factors.  The Department will report to the Legislature by January 1, 1988 regarding the proposed formula and the fiscal impact of the formula on counties and service priority populations, including children.

 

 

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

 

      Senate    45     1

      House 97   0

 

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1987