BILL REQ. #:  H-3949.1 

Read first time 01/20/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to mental health services; adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that empowering mental health consumers by allowing them to direct and pay for their care will improve the delivery of mental health services. The creation of a voucher-based system of care will reduce administrative expenses and increase funding available for direct care.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall establish a system of serving mental health consumers based on a voucher system. After being determined eligible for services under this chapter, a consumer shall be provided a voucher that may be used to purchase mental health services from qualified providers. Vouchers may be redeemed through qualified community-based case managers, designated by the department.
     (2) The department shall provide for statewide access to crisis services, housing services, and ombudsman services.
     (3) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.