AN ACT Relating to alcoholism treatment; and amending RCW 69.54.040, 70.96A.040, and 70.96A.050.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 4, chapter 304, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as amended by section 15, chapter 193, Laws of 1982 and RCW 69.54.040 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary shall establish within the department a program designed to aid and rehabilitate persons suffering from problems relating to narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, and alcohol. Without duplicating, and in coordination with the programs established by the state superintendent of public instruction, the secretary shall establish community educational programs outside of the kindergarten through twelve programs in the schools relating to alcohol and drug use and abuse. In addition, the secretary shall organize and foster training and competency evaluation programs for persons engaged in the treatment of persons with drug problems. The secretary is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to chapter 34.04 RCW to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter and is authorized to contract, cooperate and coordinate with other public or private agencies or individuals for such purposes.

Sec. 2. Section 4, chapter 122, Laws of 1972 ex. sess. and RCW 70.96A.040 are each amended to read as follows:

The department, in the operation of the alcoholism program may:

(1) Plan, establish, and maintain treatment programs as necessary or desirable;

(2) Make contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers, including contracts with public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to pay them for services rendered or furnished to alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, or intoxicated persons, or to pay them for the training and competency evaluation of persons engaged in the treatment of alcoholics;

(3) Solicit and accept for use any gift of money or property made by will or otherwise, and any grant of money, services, or property from the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision thereof or any private source, and do all things necessary to cooperate with the federal government or any of its agencies in making an application for any grant;

(4) Administer or supervise the administration of the provisions relating to alcoholics and intoxicated persons of any state plan submitted for federal funding pursuant to federal health, welfare, or treatment legislation;

(5) Coordinate its activities and cooperate with alcoholism programs in this and other states, and make contracts and other joint or cooperative arrangements with state, local, or private agencies in this and other states for the treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons and for the common advancement of alcoholism programs;

(6) Keep records and engage in research and the gathering of relevant statistics;

(7) Do other acts and things necessary or convenient to execute the authority expressly granted to it; and

(8) Acquire, hold, or dispose of real property or any interest therein, and construct, lease, or otherwise provide treatment facilities for alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons.

Sec. 3. Section 5, chapter 122, Laws of 1972 ex. sess. as amended by section 7, chapter 176, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 70.96A.050 are each amended to read as follows:

The department shall:

(1) Develop, encourage, and foster state-wide, regional, and local plans and programs for the prevention of alcoholism and treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons in cooperation with public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals and provide technical assistance and consultation services for these purposes;

(2) Coordinate the efforts and enlist the assistance of all public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals interested in prevention of alcoholism and treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons;

(3) Cooperate with public and private agencies in establishing and conducting programs to provide treatment for alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons who are clients of the correctional system.

(4) Cooperate with the superintendent of public instruction, state board of education, schools, police departments, courts, and other public and private agencies, organizations and individuals in establishing programs for the prevention of alcoholism and treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons, and preparing curriculum materials thereon for use at all levels of school education;

(5) Prepare, publish, evaluate, and disseminate educational material dealing with the nature and effects of alcohol;

(6) Develop and implement, as an integral part of treatment programs, an educational program for use in the treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons, which program shall include the dissemination of information concerning the nature and effects of alcohol;

(7) Organize and foster training and competency evaluation programs for persons engaged in treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons;

(8) Sponsor and encourage research into the causes and nature of alcoholism and treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons, and serve as a clearing house for information relating to alcoholism;

(9) Specify uniform methods for keeping statistical information by public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals, and collect and make available relevant statistical information, including number of persons treated, frequency of admission and readmission, and frequency and duration of treatment;

(10) Advise the governor in the preparation of a comprehensive plan for treatment of alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons for inclusion in the state's comprehensive health plan;

(11) Review all state health, welfare, and treatment plans to be submitted for federal funding under federal legislation, and advise the governor on provisions to be included relating to alcoholism, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons;

(12) Assist in the development of, and cooperate with, alcohol education and treatment programs for employees of state and local governments and businesses and industries in the state;

(13) Utilize the support and assistance of interested persons in the community to encourage alcoholics voluntarily to undergo treatment;

(14) Cooperate with public and private agencies in establishing and conducting programs designed to deal with the problem of persons operating motor vehicles while intoxicated;

(15) Encourage general hospitals and other appropriate health facilities to admit without discrimination alcoholics, persons incapacitated by alcohol, and intoxicated persons and to provide them with adequate and appropriate treatment;

(16) Encourage all health and disability insurance programs to include alcoholism as a covered illness; and

(17) Organize and sponsor a state-wide program to help court personnel, including judges, better understand the disease of alcoholism and the uses of alcoholism treatment programs.