SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5897

BYSenators West, Kreidler and McDonald

Regarding alcohol and drug treatment.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989; February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5897 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Kris Zabriskie (786-7439)

                  February 24, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1989

Senate Staff:Jan Sharar (786-7715)

                  March 2, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, FEBRUARY 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the state general assistance program (GAU) was revised to remove persons disabled solely because of drug or alcohol abuse.  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 inpatient or outpatient treatment or shelter.  Those not entering treatment would receive room and board through contracted housing in a supervised living arrangement, normally in a group or dormitory setting.

The supervised group housing was legally challenged and declared a violation of privacy.  As a result, shelter clients receive cash grants through a protective payee to pay for their choice of housing.  Clients may also enter directly into outpatient treatment without first receiving inpatient care.  The program rapidly expanded, particularly in outpatient treatment (which includes shelter).  There is concern that clients receiving the cash grants through protective payees are not getting necessary treatment and supervision and use the shelter money to maintain their addiction rather than to overcome it.

The rapid expansion drew the program beyond its financial means.  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 superior court restraining order prohibited this limit on shelter, but allowed the elimination of treatment.  Most of the successful legal actions were based on these provisions or other income assistance statutes.

A supplemental appropriation of $5.4 million was passed for the remainder of the biennium to save the outpatient treatment program.  The supplemental appropriation was 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.  The appropriation permits everyone currently in treatment to complete their programs and allows about 900 new individuals to enter treatment.  Everyone currently receiving shelter would be housed along with about 100 new applicants.

SUMMARY:

Most of the ADATSA program is incorporated into existing drug and alcohol treatment related laws.  The portion of ADATSA requiring the department to provide shelter (the cash grant without the accompanying treatment) has been dropped.

The law on Washington public assistance no longer refers persons that are unemployable due to alcohol or drug addiction to the ADATSA shelter program, but rather directs the department to advise them as to appropriate assessment, treatment or program services available under existing law.

The department is directed to continue to provide inpatient and outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment is accompanied by a living stipend.  A person cannot receive inpatient or outpatient treatment for more than three months each nor a combined total of more than six months in a two-year period, except in unusual circumstances.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The three-month limitation on inpatient or outpatient treatment is removed but a six-month limitation is put on total treatment.  New legislation does not infringe on treatment services funded through alcohol and drug grants to counties.

Priority treatment is given to women with a drug or alcohol problem who are pregnant or parenting infants.  The department must also coordinate case management and support for these women when available.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 17, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS:  Phil Showstead, Director of King County Alcohol Services; Linda Grant, State Association of Alcoholism and Addiction Programs (pro); Mike Doubleday, City of Seattle (con); Ken Stark, DSHS Bureau of Alcohol and Substance Abuse