SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 646

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Winsley, H. Sommers, R. King, Leonard and Sanders; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Establishing an alcoholism and drug addiction treatment and shelter program.

House Committe on Human Services

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987; April 2, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)

                April 3, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):April 6, 1897

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

     Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Cantu, Craswell, Deccio, Fleming, Lee, McDonald, Moore, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Suzanne Petersen (786-7715)

                April 6, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, APRIL 6, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The caseload in the General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) program has been increasing by more than 10 per cent annually.  Nearly a third of GAU recipients have a drug addiction or alcoholism incapacity.  Concerns have been expressed about the policy of giving cash assistance to addictive recipients and about the failure to offer adequate treatment to these recipients.

SUMMARY:

Persons who are incapacitated from employment due to an alcoholism or drug addiction incapacity are no longer eligible for the General Assistance Unemployable income assistance program.

An alcoholism and drug addition treatment program is created.  The new program will provide assessment, treatment, shelter and medical care to the extent of available appropriations.  The program will refer GAU recipients to the Social Security Administration to apply for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Counties may elect to establish a multi-purpose diagnostic center or detention center for alcoholic or drug addictive assessment services.  The center may be financed from funds made available by the Department for assessments under the chapter.

The GAU protective payee standards are changed to allow the Department of Social and Health Services to pay benefits through a protective payee if any GAU recipient person demonstrates an inability to care for him or herself or for money.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS AMENDMENT:

Eligibility determinations for the alcohol treatment and shelter program must be made under the same standards as those used for the General Assistance Unemployable program. Caseload growth statistics are removed.

In making eligibility determinations for the General Assistance Unemployable program the department must accept uncontroverted medical opinions unless there exist clear and convincing reasons not to do so.  Persons who are on general assistance may not be terminated unless there is evidence that their condition has materially improved or that the original eligibility determination was incorrect.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

The Human Services and Corrections Committee amendment is incorporated with the following changes:

Shelter assistance is recognized as an essential service necessary to prevent homelessness and meet the basic needs of indigent alcoholics and drug addicts.

DSHS is required to establish a shelter assistance program to ensure the availability of shelter to those eligible for the program.

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS: Jerry Reilly, Department of Social and Health Services; Linda Grant, Association of Washington Alcoholism Programs; Cynthia Maisel, City of Seattle; Casey Carmody, Pioneer Square Association; Barbara Baker, Puget Sound Legal Assistance Foundation; Debbie Perliss, Evergreen Legal Services; Rahn Burgess, Downtown Tacoma Association; Tony Lee, Catholic Conference; Carol Steckler, Fair Budget Coalition

Senate Committee - Testified:   WAYS & MEANS:  Jerry Reilly, DSHS