SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1599

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Locke, Silver, Bristow, H. Sommers, Winsley, Miller, Sayan, Pruitt, Wineberry, P. King, Rayburn, Raiter, R. King, Belcher, Jones, Scott, Baugher, Jacobsen, H. Myers, Rasmussen, Spanel, Basich, Phillips, Appelwick and Day)

Making appropriations for persons suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction.

House Committe on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 13, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Talmadge, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jan Sharar (786-7715)

                  February 16, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the Legislature enacted the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act (ADATSA) to provide treatment or shelter services for low income disabled alcoholics and drug addicts.  The size of the program was limited by appropriated funds.  Under the original design, program participants would be offered a continuum of residential and outpatient treatment.  Those not entering treatment would receive room and board through contracted housing.  The state general assistance program (GAU) was revised to remove persons disabled solely because of drug or alcohol abuse.

Legal actions have expanded clients options.  As a result clients may now receive cash grants through a protective payee instead of room and board.  They may also enter directly into outpatient treatment without first receiving inpatient care.  The result was rapid expansion of the program, particularly in outpatient treatment (which includes shelter). 

In order to bring projected expenditures back within budget, the Governor proposed, effective February 1, elimination of outpatient programs and limiting shelter to those already in the ADATSA program.  A recent Superior Court restraining order prohibited the limit on shelter, while allowing the elimination of treatment.  Most of the successful legal actions have been based on provisions of this or other income assistance statutes.

Without a supplemental appropriation, outpatient treatment would be eliminated for all program participants.  The supplemental appropriation would be in addition to $38.9 million already appropriated for the program.  The appropriation is sufficient to provide treatment services each month to an average of 775 residential care clients and 1,700 outpatient treatment clients.  In addition, an average of 1,250 clients may receive shelter services each month.  This will permit everyone currently in treatment to complete their programs.  In addition, about 900 new individuals could enter treatment.  Everyone currently receiving shelter would be housed along with about 100 new applicants.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to establish specific eligibility criteria for treatment and shelter services which conform to appropriation limits on maximum caseloads and expenditures.  Provisions which may be interpreted as a service entitlement are eliminated.  A client tracking and information system is required to facilitate management control and program evaluation.

A priority system is established in the event of waiting lists for treatment.  The priorities, in descending order are:  persons referred by the child protective service program; pregnant women; adults in households with children; and other heavy users of social and health services.

Outpatient services may be provided to persons receiving income assistance from other public programs.  The program is exempted from general statutes relating to income assistance.  Eligibility criteria for medical care services are maintained at current levels.  Fair hearing rights are maintained.

Separate appropriations are provided for treatment, shelter and assessment services.  The overall appropriation is increased by $11,000,000, of which $6,200,000 is from the state general fund.

Appropriation:    $11,000,000 ($6,200,000 GF-S) to Department of Social and Health Services.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

$5.4 million of state funds is appropriated to the program through June 30, 1989.  Average caseload goals to be achieved for outpatient treatment and shelter services are added.  Language is added requiring lapsing of state funds if any condition or limitation set forth is held invalid or is nullified.  The order of priority of clients who will receive treatment services is modified.  The current level of assessment services is reduced by 25 percent.  The requirement for a client tracking and reporting system is removed.

Senate Committee - Testified: No one