FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1619

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 270 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representative Brekke)

Revising treatment of alcoholism and other drug addiction.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Bureau of Alcohol and Substance Abuse develops and administers a comprehensive program of alcoholism and drug addiction treatment and prevention services for residents of Washington.  It seeks to reduce alcoholism and drug dependency by providing treatment services but the bureau does not provide any direct treatment services.  The bureau's prevention and treatment funds are disbursed through contracts.  The bureau regulates all providers of alcoholism and drug abuse services in the state.  It contracts with counties and non-profit agencies to provide treatment services to persons who cannot pay for the full cost of that treatment and to provide a prevention program directed at youth.

The duties and responsibilities of the Department of Social and Health Services for providing these services are specified in three chapters of the law:

Chapter 69.54 establishes certification standards for drug treatment centers.  It also provides for financial support for county drug abuse programs, the establishment of county drug abuse administrative boards, and the certification of methadone treatment programs.

Chapter 70.96 provides for the approval of alcoholism treatment facilities, financial assistance to county alcoholism programs, and the establishment of county alcoholism administrative boards.

Chapter 70.96A is the Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Law, providing for voluntary and involuntary treatment of persons incapacitated by alcohol.  The chapter also authorizes a discrete treatment program for alcoholism provided by the department, including emergency treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment and follow-up.  Standards for both public and private treatment facilities are also established.

These three chapters contain dated terminology, obsolete definitions, and duplicative sections.  They maintain a separate status for drug treatment centers and alcohol treatment facilities whose standards were combined and made uniform by rule in 1985.

Alcohol and drug addictions are considered unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the regulated health professions.

SUMMARY:

Chapter 69.54 RCW relating to drug treatment, and Chapter 70.96 RCW relating to alcoholism treatment are repealed and re-codified in Chapter 70.96A RCW. The definition of alcoholic is clarified, and new definitions of alcoholism, chemical dependency, and drug addiction are provided.  Chemical dependency refers to both alcoholism and drug addiction, which are declared diseases in need of treatment.

Obsolete language and duplicative sections are repealed and the separate distinctions for alcoholism and drug treatment programs are unified in a comprehensive chapter.

Alcohol and drug misuse are considered unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the regulated health professions.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    46     0 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989

Partial Veto Summary:  The veto of selected sections, on technical grounds, removes conflicting amendments made to those same sections in two other bills which were approved by the Governor.  (See VETO MESSAGE)