SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6344

BYSenators Niemi, Bailey, West, Vognild, McMullen, Wojahn and Smith

Revising provisions for regional support networks.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  February 8, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Mental health reform legislation approved in 1989 authorized groups of counties to form regional support networks (RSNs) to accept additional funding and responsibility for management of their mentally ill populations.  Groups of counties not recognized as RSNs by December 1, 1989 must wait until January of 1993 to be recognized.

Some counties not recognized during 1989 have expressed a desire to receive RSN designation sooner than 1993.

SUMMARY:

To receive RSN designation by January 1, a county or group of counties must apply by October 30 of the previous year.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Ralph Mackey, Snohomish County; Stephen Reinig, Snohomish County Division of Mental Health; Jack Bilsborough, Snohomish AMI; Sharon Stewart Johnson, DSHS