SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6203

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio, Niemi, Kreidler and Smith)

Requiring a report on state care of developmentally disabled persons.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6203 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, Smith, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  February 16, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Some 300 to 500 developmentally disabled persons with mental illness have been detained in state or local psychiatric hospitals in Washington within the past two years.  Some 25 beds at Eastern and Western State Hospitals are filled each night with developmentally disabled persons who have some form of mental illness.  The cost of monitoring the individuals in local ($450-$700/day) and state ($130 to $183/day) psychiatric facilities is of some concern.  In addition, psychiatric facilities are generally agreed to be ill-equipped to provide the type of care required by these people.

Some developmentally disabled people with mental illness have been successfully maintained by means of specialized programming.  When this can be done, client outcomes improve and state costs may be found to decrease, according to proponents.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to determine the number of developmentally disabled persons who have been detained in state or local psychiatric facilities, to determine public and private services and funds expended on them, to determine effective service strategies for avoiding hospitalization, reducing patient movement and reducing costs, and to propose a pilot project by November 15, 1988.  The pilot shall emphasize normal community living, but may include an institutional component if needed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Thelma Struck, Assistant Secretary for Health and Rehabilitation Services, DSHS (for)