BILL REQ. #:  S-1615.1 

Read first time 02/18/2003.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to the administration and management of services to developmentally disabled individuals; amending RCW 71A.18.020; adding a new section to chapter 71A.18 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature intends that services administered to aid persons with developmental disabilities be based on valid client information. The legislature recognizes that the state's capacity to provide services to individuals is dependent upon good business practices commensurate with the complex job of managing discrete services and limited resources to a population with diverse needs. The legislature finds that current systems do not allow for informed authorization of services, efficient and consistent eligibility determinations, complete and consistent plans of care, thorough coordination of services, and the uniform application of program policies. The fragmented nature of current information systems at the department of social and health services does not allow policymakers to obtain a clear understanding of how public resources are spent.
     By December 1, 2003, the department of social and health services shall report to the legislature on the costs associated with providing a consolidated and unified management information system that will allow for informed authorization of services, efficient and consistent eligibility determinations, complete and consistent plans of care, thorough coordination of services, and uniform application of program policies on behalf of clients with developmental disabilities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 71A.18 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall develop a tool for the comprehensive assessment of need for services under this title. The tool shall identify any supports the individual receives from family, friends, and the community, including state, local, and federal programs. The comprehensive assessment tool shall be used for both children and adults whose needs may evolve as they mature. The tool must include the financial status of children and their family income and resources. Development of a comprehensive assessment tool must be done within available funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The department of social and health services shall consult with individuals and families who receive services, and those individuals with developmental disabilities who do not receive services, to set priorities for the allocation of services. The determination of priorities is a demonstration that the state has limited resources and that not all people who complete a comprehensive assessment will be able to have all their needs met. Setting priorities is a deliberate effort to make a system of service delivery equitable within funding limits. The department shall report back to the legislature by December 1, 2003, on categories of priority populations and the range of services that may be available to different priority populations. The report shall include a process for maintaining information on individuals in nonpriority status.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The department of social and health services shall convene a work group of stakeholders to develop alternatives to current eligibility standards for services under Title 71A RCW. The work group shall identify categories of individuals who are currently eligible as developmentally disabled, but whose needs may be better addressed by alternatives, including, but not limited to, other programs within the department. The report shall include some estimate of the number of individuals who would become reclassified under any new definition of developmentally disabled, and alternatives for how they might be served. The work group shall report to the legislature by December 1, 2003.

Sec. 5   RCW 71A.18.020 and 1988 c 176 s 601 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary may provide a service to a person eligible under this title if funds are available. If there is an individual service plan, the secretary shall consider the need for services as provided in that plan. Limitations in funding may be the basis for denying services to a person with a developmental disability not enrolled in a federal medicaid waiver program, and limitations in funding may be the basis for denying nonwaiver services to a person with a developmental disability enrolled in a federal medicaid waiver program. The specific provisions of the federal medicaid waiver control whether limitation in funding is permitted as a basis for denial of services.