SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5598

BYSenators 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

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5598 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.

Senate Staff:Jean T. Soliz (786-7755)

                  March 10, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 4, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Social and Health services is designated as the state mental health authority.  The statutes provide general guidance as to the method 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 project the amount of funds they will receive and the funding formula to the mandated service priorities the counties must follow.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to use a distribution formula that correlates with the population in need based on an age-adjusted prevalence.  Twenty percent of the distribution formula must be based on demographic indicators of mental health disturbance, such as divorce rates and poverty level.  The Department is required to grant each county an amount equal to 90 percent of the 1983 grant level as a base.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The formula for redistribution of mental health funds to counties was not placed in statute.  DSHS shall establish a new formula based on service priority populations and local demographic factors.  The Department is required to 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.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Lyle Quasim, DSHS; Carol Greenough, King County