AN ACT Relating to general assistance payments; adding new sections to chapter 74.04 RCW; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The department shall establish a pilot project encouraging the use of payment managers to receive and manage general assistance payments to recipients suffering from excessive alcohol use, drug addiction, or mental illness when so determined by qualified professionals. The project shall be conducted at all community services offices in King county commencing on July 1, 1987, and concluding on July 1, 1991.

The secretary may establish similar projects in other counties if the secretary finds it advisable, after consultation with appropriate local elected officials.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. In establishing and implementing the pilot project required by section 1 of this act, the department shall:

(1) Establish by rule the qualifications and duties for payment managers;

(2) Compile a list of qualified payment managers and distribute the list to diagnostic centers certified under subsection (4) of this section;

(3) Pay an administrative fee of not less than five percent of the general assistance payments to the payment manager. This fee is in addition to the general assistance payment due the recipient;

(4) Certify hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, treatment facilities, and practitioners as authorized to make determinations and selections under section 3 of this act. The department shall certify only those persons or facilities which have recognized expertise in diagnosing persons suffering from excessive alcohol consumption, drug addiction, and mental illness;

(5) Locate a sufficient number of case workers at each certified facility which serve, in aggregate, approximately ninety percent of the client population receiving general assistance payments; and

(6) Adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary or convenient to enforce existing rules allowing payment of general assistance grants to shelter operators or landlords or other vendors of goods and services having contact with assistance recipients.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Persons and facilities certified under section 2(4) of this act shall:

(1) With the approval of the department and in consultation with the recipient of general assistance funds, determine whether:

(a) The designated recipient has a mental illness or mental incapacity or suffers from excessive use of alcohol or drugs;

(b) He or she appears unable to properly manage his or her general assistance payment. Such an inability may be inferred from an applicant's or recipient's dependence on alcohol or drugs and a pattern of failing to use available funds for basic needs or losing such funds;

(c) He or she needs the assistance of a manager to take charge of and manage his or her general assistance payment, or such an interim financial management is a part of his or her detoxification or stabilization program; and

(d) Administration of general assistance funds by designated payment managers would enhance the prospect for stabilization.

(2) Upon determination of disability under subsection (1) of this section, with the approval of the department, and in consultation with the applicant or recipient, select a payment manager from the list compiled by the department under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Participation in an approved alcoholism or drug treatment program shall not be a condition of receiving general assistance payments under this pilot project.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, persons appearing incapacitated by alcohol or drugs or other controlled substances not prescribed by a physician, may be taken by police officers, paramedics, or emergency patrol officers to their residence or a supervised facility rather than a treatment facility if such person has refused treatment three or more times during the preceding twelve months or for whom treatment has not been effective.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 74.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act expires July 1, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.