READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to community mental health services; amending RCW 71.24.025, 71.24.030, 71.24.045, 71.24.100, 71.24.240, and 71.24.300; reenacting and amending RCW 71.24.015 and 71.24.035; adding new sections to chapter 71.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW; creating new sections; providing expiration dates; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 71.24.015 and 2001 c 334 s 6 and 2001 c 323 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     It is the intent of the legislature to establish a community mental health program which shall help people experiencing mental illness to retain a respected and productive position in the community. This will be accomplished through programs that focus on resilience and recovery, and practices that are evidence-based, research-based, consensus-based, or, where these do not exist, promising or emerging best practices, which provide for:
     (1) Access to mental health services for adults of the state who are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, or seriously disturbed and children of the state who are acutely mentally ill, severely emotionally disturbed, or seriously disturbed, which services recognize the special needs of underserved populations, including minorities, children, the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons. Access to mental health services shall not be limited by a person's history of confinement in a state, federal, or local correctional facility. It is also the purpose of this chapter to promote the early identification of mentally ill children and to ensure that they receive the mental health care and treatment which is appropriate to their developmental level. This care should improve home, school, and community functioning, maintain children in a safe and nurturing home environment, and should enable treatment decisions to be made in response to clinical needs in accordance with sound professional judgment while also recognizing parents' rights to participate in treatment decisions for their children;
     (2) The involvement of persons with mental illness, their family members, and advocates in designing and implementing mental health services that reduce unnecessary hospitalization and incarceration and promote the recovery and employment of persons with mental illness. To improve the quality of services available and promote the rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration of persons with mental illness, consumer and advocate participation in mental health services is an integral part of the community mental health system and shall be supported;
     (3) Accountability of efficient and effective services through state of the art outcome and performance measures and statewide standards for monitoring client and system outcomes, performance, and reporting of client and system outcome information. These processes shall be designed so as to maximize the use of available resources for direct care of people with a mental illness and to assure uniform data collection across the state;
     (((3))) (4) Minimum service delivery standards;
     (((4))) (5) Priorities for the use of available resources for the care of the mentally ill consistent with the priorities defined in the statute;
     (((5))) (6) Coordination of services within the department, including those divisions within the department that provide services to children, between the department and the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and among state mental hospitals, county authorities, regional support networks, community mental health services, and other support services, which shall to the maximum extent feasible also include the families of the mentally ill, and other service providers; and
     (((6))) (7) Coordination of services aimed at reducing duplication in service delivery and promoting complementary services among all entities that provide mental health services to adults and children.
     It is the policy of the state to encourage the provision of a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services in the state for mental disorders including services operated by consumers and advocates. The legislature intends to encourage the development of ((county-based and county-managed)) regional mental health services with adequate local flexibility to assure eligible people in need of care access to the least-restrictive treatment alternative appropriate to their needs, and the availability of treatment components to assure continuity of care. To this end, counties are encouraged to enter into joint operating agreements with other counties to form regional systems of care ((which)). Regional systems of care, whether operated by a county, group of counties, or another entity shall integrate planning, administration, and service delivery duties ((assigned to counties)) under chapters 71.05 and 71.24 RCW to consolidate administration, reduce administrative layering, and reduce administrative costs. The legislature hereby finds and declares that sound fiscal management requires vigilance to ensure that funds appropriated by the legislature for the provision of needed community mental health programs and services are ultimately expended solely for the purpose for which they were appropriated, and not for any other purpose.
     It is further the intent of the legislature to integrate the provision of services to provide continuity of care through all phases of treatment. To this end the legislature intends to promote active engagement with mentally ill persons and collaboration between families and service providers.

Sec. 2   RCW 71.24.025 and 2001 c 323 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to a short-term severe crisis episode of:
     (a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
     (b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, a gravely disabled minor as defined in RCW 71.34.020; or
     (c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020.
     (2) "Available resources" means funds appropriated for the purpose of providing community mental health programs ((under RCW 71.24.045)), federal funds, except those provided according to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and state funds appropriated under this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW by the legislature during any biennium for the purpose of providing residential services, resource management services, community support services, and other mental health services. This does not include funds appropriated for the purpose of operating and administering the state psychiatric hospitals, except as negotiated according to RCW 71.24.300(1)(((e))) (d).
     (3) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.
     (4) "Chronically mentally ill adult" means an adult who has a mental disorder and meets at least one of the following criteria:
     (a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a mental disorder within the preceding two years; or
     (b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the preceding year; or
     (c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months. "Substantial gainful activity" shall be defined by the department by rule consistent with Public Law 92-603, as amended.
     (5) "Community mental health program" means all mental health services, activities, or programs using available resources.
     (6) "Community mental health service delivery system" means public or private agencies that provide services specifically to persons with mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020 and receive funding from public sources.
     (7) "Community support services" means services authorized, planned, and coordinated through resource management services including, at a minimum, assessment, diagnosis, emergency crisis intervention available twenty-four hours, seven days a week, prescreening determinations for mentally ill persons being considered for placement in nursing homes as required by federal law, screening for patients being considered for admission to residential services, diagnosis and treatment for acutely mentally ill and severely emotionally disturbed children discovered under screening through the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program, investigation, legal, and other nonresidential services under chapter 71.05 RCW, case management services, psychiatric treatment including medication supervision, counseling, psychotherapy, assuring transfer of relevant patient information between service providers, recovery services, and other services determined by regional support networks.
     (8) "Consensus-based" means a program or practice that has general support among treatment providers and experts, based on experience or professional literature, and may have anecdotal or case study support, or that is agreed but not possible to perform studies with random assignment and controlled groups.
     (9) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners, county council, or county executive having authority to establish a community mental health program, or two or more of the county authorities specified in this subsection which have entered into an agreement to provide a community mental health program.
     (((9))) (10) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
     (((10))) (11) "Designated mental health professional" means a mental health professional designated by the county or other authority authorized in rule to perform the duties specified in this chapter.
     (12) "Emerging best practice" or "promising practice" means a practice that presents, based on preliminary information, potential for becoming a research-based or consensus-based practice.
     (13)"Evidence-based" means a program or practice that has had multiple site random controlled trials across heterogeneous populations demonstrating that the program or practice is effective for the population.
     (14) "Licensed service provider" means an entity licensed according to this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW or an entity deemed to meet state minimum standards as a result of accreditation by a recognized behavioral health accrediting body recognized and having a current agreement with the department, that meets state minimum standards or individuals licensed under chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.83, or 18.79 RCW, as it applies to registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners.
     (((11))) (15) "Mental health services" means all services provided by regional support networks and other services provided by the state for the mentally ill.
     (((12))) (16) "Mentally ill persons" and "the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in subsections (1), (4), (((17))) (24), and (((18))) (25) of this section.
     (((13))) (17) "Recovery" means the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
     (18) "Regional support network" means a county authority or group of county authorities or other entity recognized by the secretary ((that enter into joint operating agreements to contract with the secretary pursuant to this chapter)) in contract in a defined region.
     (((14))) (19) "Residential services" means a complete range of residences and supports authorized by resource management services and which may involve a facility, a distinct part thereof, or services which support community living, for acutely mentally ill persons, chronically mentally ill adults, severely emotionally disturbed children, or seriously disturbed adults determined by the regional support network to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. The services shall include at least evaluation and treatment services as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW, acute crisis respite care, long-term adaptive and rehabilitative care, and supervised and supported living services, and shall also include any residential services developed to service mentally ill persons in nursing homes, boarding homes, and adult family homes. Residential services for children in out-of-home placements related to their mental disorder shall not include the costs of food and shelter, except for children's long-term residential facilities existing prior to January 1, 1991.
     (((15))) (20) "Research-based" means a program or practice that has some research demonstrating effectiveness, but that does not yet meet the standard of evidence-based practices.
     (21) "Resilience" means the personal and community qualities that enable individuals to rebound from adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other stresses, and to live productive lives.
     (22) "Resource management services" mean the planning, coordination, and authorization of residential services and community support services administered pursuant to an individual service plan for: (a) Acutely mentally ill adults and children; (b) chronically mentally ill adults; (c) severely emotionally disturbed children; or (d) seriously disturbed adults determined solely by a regional support network to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. Such planning, coordination, and authorization shall include mental health screening for children eligible under the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program. Resource management services include seven day a week, twenty-four hour a day availability of information regarding mentally ill adults' and children's enrollment in services and their individual service plan to county-designated mental health professionals, evaluation and treatment facilities, and others as determined by the regional support network.
     (((16))) (23) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.
     (((17))) (24) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:
     (a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a result of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;
     (b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental health hospital;
     (c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several areas of daily living;
     (d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or
     (e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, as experiencing a mental disorder which is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's personality development and learning.
     (((18))) (25) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" means a child who has been determined by the regional support network to be experiencing a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, including those mental disorders that result in a behavioral or conduct disorder, that is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or with peers and who meets at least one of the following criteria:
     (a) Has undergone inpatient treatment or placement outside of the home related to a mental disorder within the last two years;
     (b) Has undergone involuntary treatment under chapter 71.34 RCW within the last two years;
     (c) Is currently served by at least one of the following child-serving systems: Juvenile justice, child-protection/welfare, special education, or developmental disabilities;
     (d) Is at risk of escalating maladjustment due to:
     (i) Chronic family dysfunction involving a mentally ill or inadequate caretaker;
     (ii) Changes in custodial adult;
     (iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement outside of the home, for example, psychiatric hospital, short-term inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a correctional facility;
     (iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect;
     (v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or
     (vi) Homelessness.
     (((19))) (26) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements established by rules adopted by the secretary and necessary to implement this chapter for: (a) Delivery of mental health services; (b) licensed service providers for the provision of mental health services; (c) residential services; and (d) community support services and resource management services.
     (((20))) (27) "Tribal authority," for the purposes of this section and RCW 71.24.300 only, means: The federally recognized Indian tribes and the major Indian organizations recognized by the secretary insofar as these organizations do not have a financial relationship with any regional support network that would present a conflict of interest.

Sec. 3   RCW 71.24.030 and 2001 c 323 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary is authorized to make grants ((to)) and/or purchase services from counties ((or)), combinations of counties ((in the establishment and operation of)), or other entities, to establish and operate community mental health programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary shall initiate a procurement process for regional support networks in 2005. In the first step of the procurement process, existing regional support networks may respond to a request for qualifications developed by the department. The secretary shall issue the request for qualifications not later than October 1, 2005. The request for qualifications shall be based on cost-effectiveness, adequate residential and service capabilities, effective collaboration with criminal justice agencies and the chemical dependency treatment system, and the ability to provide the full array of services as stated in the mental health state plan, and shall meet all applicable federal and state regulations and standards. An existing regional support network shall be awarded the contract with the department if it substantially meets the requirements of the request for qualifications developed by the department.
     (2) If an existing regional support network chooses not to respond to the request for qualifications, or is unable to substantially meet the requirements of the request for qualifications, the department shall utilize a procurement process in which other entities recognized by the secretary may bid to serve as the regional support network in that region. The procurement process shall begin with a request for proposals issued March 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     There shall be not less than eight and not more than fourteen regional support networks.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Contracts between a regional support network and the department shall include mechanisms for monitoring performance under the contract and remedies for failure to substantially comply with the requirements of the contract including, but not limited to, financial penalties, termination of the contract, and reprocurement of the contract.
     (2) The procurement process shall encourage the preservation of infrastructure previously purchased by the community mental health service delivery system, the maintenance of linkages between other services and delivery systems, and maximization of the use of available funds for services versus profits. The procurement process shall provide that public funds appropriated by the legislature shall not be used to promote or deter, encourage, or discourage employees from exercising their rights under Title 29, chapter 7, subchapter II, United States Code or chapter 41.56 RCW.
     (3) In addition to the requirements of RCW 71.24.035, contracts shall:
     (a) Define administrative costs and ensure that the regional support network does not exceed an administrative cost of ten percent of available funds;
     (b) Require effective collaboration with law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and the chemical dependency treatment system;
     (c) Require substantial implementation of department adopted integrated screening and assessment process and matrix of best practices; and
     (d) Maintain the decision-making independence of designated mental health professionals.

Sec. 7   RCW 71.24.035 and 2001 c 334 s 7 and 2001 c 323 s 10 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department is designated as the state mental health authority.
     (2) The secretary shall provide for public, client, and licensed service provider participation in developing the state mental health program, developing contracts with regional support networks, and any waiver request to the federal government under medicaid.
     (3) The secretary shall provide for participation in developing the state mental health program for children and other underserved populations, by including representatives on any committee established to provide oversight to the state mental health program.
     (4) The secretary shall be designated as the ((county authority if a county fails)) regional support network if the regional support network fails to meet state minimum standards or refuses to exercise responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045.
     (5) The secretary shall:
     (a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that incorporates ((county)) regional biennial needs assessments and ((county)) regional mental health service plans and state services for mentally ill adults and children. The secretary ((may)) shall also develop a six-year state mental health plan;
     (b) Assure that any regional or county community mental health program provides access to treatment for the ((county's)) region's residents in the following order of priority: (i) The acutely mentally ill; (ii) chronically mentally ill adults and severely emotionally disturbed children; and (iii) the seriously disturbed. Such programs shall provide:
     (A) Outpatient services;
     (B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;
     (C) Day treatment for mentally ill persons which includes training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational rehabilitation, and day activities. Such services may include therapeutic treatment. In the case of a child, day treatment includes age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;
     (D) Screening for patients being considered for admission to state mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of admission;
     (E) Employment services, which may include supported employment, transitional work, placement in competitive employment, and other work-related services, that result in mentally ill persons becoming engaged in meaningful and gainful full or part-time work. Other sources of funding such as the division of vocational rehabilitation may be utilized by the secretary to maximize federal funding and provide for integration of services;
     (F) Consultation and education services; and
     (G) Community support services;
     (c) Develop and adopt rules establishing state minimum standards for the delivery of mental health services pursuant to RCW 71.24.037 including, but not limited to:
     (i) Licensed service providers. These rules shall permit a county-operated mental health program to be licensed as a service provider subject to compliance with applicable statutes and rules. The secretary shall provide for deeming of compliance with state minimum standards for those entities accredited by recognized behavioral health accrediting bodies recognized and having a current agreement with the department;
     (ii) Regional support networks; and
     (iii) Inpatient services, evaluation and treatment services and facilities under chapter 71.05 RCW, resource management services, and community support services;
     (d) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly, disabled, children, and low-income persons are met within the priorities established in this section;
     (e) Establish a standard contract or contracts, consistent with state minimum standards and sections 4 and 6 of this act, which shall be used in contracting with regional support networks ((or counties)). The standard contract shall include a maximum fund balance, which shall ((not exceed ten percent)) be consistent with that required by federal regulations or waiver stipulations;
     (f) Establish, to the extent possible, a standardized auditing procedure which minimizes paperwork requirements of ((county authorities)) regional support networks and licensed service providers. The audit procedure shall focus on the outcomes of service and not the processes for accomplishing them;
     (g) Develop and maintain an information system to be used by the state((, counties,)) and regional support networks that includes a tracking method which allows the department and regional support networks to identify mental health clients' participation in any mental health service or public program on an immediate basis. The information system shall not include individual patient's case history files. Confidentiality of client information and records shall be maintained as provided in this chapter and in RCW 71.05.390, 71.05.400, 71.05.410, 71.05.420, 71.05.430, and 71.05.440((. The design of the system and the data elements to be collected shall be reviewed by the work group appointed by the secretary under section 5(1) of this act and representing the department, regional support networks, service providers, consumers, and advocates. The data elements shall be designed to provide information that is needed to measure performance and achieve the service outcomes identified in section 5 of this act));
     (h) License service providers who meet state minimum standards;
     (i) Certify regional support networks that meet state minimum standards;
     (j) Periodically monitor the compliance of certified regional support networks and their network of licensed service providers for compliance with the contract between the department, the regional support network, and federal and state rules at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner;
     (k) Fix fees to be paid by evaluation and treatment centers to the secretary for the required inspections;
     (l) Monitor and audit ((counties,)) regional support networks((,)) and licensed service providers as needed to assure compliance with contractual agreements authorized by this chapter; ((and))
     (m) Adopt such rules as are necessary to implement the department's responsibilities under this chapter; and
     (n) Assure the availability of an appropriate amount, as determined by the legislature in the operating budget by amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, of community-based, geographically distributed residential services.
     (6) The secretary shall use available resources only for regional support networks, except to the extent authorized, and in accordance with any priorities or conditions specified, in the biennial appropriations act.
     (7) Each certified regional support network and licensed service provider shall file with the secretary, on request, such data, statistics, schedules, and information as the secretary reasonably requires. A certified regional support network or licensed service provider which, without good cause, fails to furnish any data, statistics, schedules, or information as requested, or files fraudulent reports thereof, may have its certification or license revoked or suspended.
     (8) The secretary may suspend, revoke, limit, or restrict a certification or license, or refuse to grant a certification or license for failure to conform to: (a) The law; (b) applicable rules and regulations; (c) applicable standards; or (d) state minimum standards.
     (9) The superior court may restrain any regional support network or service provider from operating without certification or a license or any other violation of this section. The court may also review, pursuant to procedures contained in chapter 34.05 RCW, any denial, suspension, limitation, restriction, or revocation of certification or license, and grant other relief required to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
     (10) Upon petition by the secretary, and after hearing held upon reasonable notice to the facility, the superior court may issue a warrant to an officer or employee of the secretary authorizing him or her to enter at reasonable times, and examine the records, books, and accounts of any regional support network or service provider refusing to consent to inspection or examination by the authority.
     (11) Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy, the secretary may file an action for an injunction or other process against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the establishment, conduct, or operation of a regional support network or service provider without certification or a license under this chapter.
     (12) The standards for certification of evaluation and treatment facilities shall include standards relating to maintenance of good physical and mental health and other services to be afforded persons pursuant to this chapter and chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW, and shall otherwise assure the effectuation of the purposes of these chapters.
     (13)(a) The department, in consultation with affected parties, shall establish a distribution formula that reflects ((county)) regional needs assessments based on the number of persons who are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, severely emotionally disturbed children, and seriously disturbed. The formula shall take into consideration the impact on ((counties)) regions of demographic factors ((in counties)) which result in concentrations of priority populations as set forth in subsection (5)(b) of this section. These factors shall include the population concentrations resulting from commitments under chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW to state psychiatric hospitals, as well as concentration in urban areas, at border crossings at state boundaries, and other significant demographic and workload factors.
     (b) The formula shall also include a projection of the funding allocations that will result for each ((county)) region, which specifies allocations according to priority populations, including the allocation for services to children and other underserved populations.
     (c) After July 1, 2003, the department may allocate up to two percent of total funds to be distributed to the regional support networks for incentive payments to reward the achievement of superior outcomes, or significantly improved outcomes, as measured by a statewide performance measurement system consistent with the framework recommended in the joint legislative audit and review committee's performance audit of the mental health system. The department shall annually report to the legislature on its criteria and allocation of the incentives provided under this subsection.
     (14) The secretary shall assume all duties assigned to the nonparticipating ((counties)) regional support networks under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and 71.24 RCW. Such responsibilities shall include those which would have been assigned to the nonparticipating counties ((under)) in regions where there are not participating regional support networks.
     The regional support networks, or the secretary's assumption of all responsibilities under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and 71.24 RCW, shall be included in all state and federal plans affecting the state mental health program including at least those required by this chapter, the medicaid program, and P.L. 99-660. Nothing in these plans shall be inconsistent with the intent and requirements of this chapter.
     (15) The secretary shall:
     (a) Disburse funds for the regional support networks within sixty days of approval of the biennial contract. The department must either approve or reject the biennial contract within sixty days of receipt.
     (b) Enter into biennial contracts with regional support networks. The contracts shall be consistent with available resources. No contract shall be approved that does not include progress toward meeting the goals of this chapter by taking responsibility for: (i) Short-term commitments; (ii) residential care; and (iii) emergency response systems.
     (c) ((Allocate one hundred percent of available resources to the regional support networks in accordance with subsection (13) of this section. Incentive payments authorized under subsection (13) of this section may be allocated separately from other available resources.
     (d))) Notify regional support networks of their allocation of available resources at least sixty days prior to the start of a new biennial contract period.
     (((e))) (d) Deny funding allocations to regional support networks based solely upon formal findings of noncompliance with the terms of the regional support network's contract with the department. Written notice and at least thirty days for corrective action must precede any such action. In such cases, regional support networks shall have full rights to appeal under chapter 34.05 RCW.
     (16) The department, in cooperation with the state congressional delegation, shall actively seek waivers of federal requirements and such modifications of federal regulations as are necessary to allow federal medicaid reimbursement for services provided by free-standing evaluation and treatment facilities certified under chapter 71.05 RCW. The department shall periodically report its efforts to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives.

Sec. 8   RCW 71.24.045 and 2001 c 323 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((county authority)) regional support network shall:
     (1) Contract as needed with licensed service providers. The ((county authority)) regional support network may, in the absence of a licensed service provider entity, become a licensed service provider entity pursuant to minimum standards required for licensing by the department for the purpose of providing services not available from licensed service providers;
     (2) Operate as a licensed service provider if it deems that doing so is more efficient and cost effective than contracting for services. When doing so, the ((county authority)) regional support network shall comply with rules promulgated by the secretary that shall provide measurements to determine when a ((county)) regional support network provided service is more efficient and cost effective;
     (3) Monitor and perform biennial fiscal audits of licensed service providers who have contracted with the ((county)) regional support network to provide services required by this chapter. The monitoring and audits shall be performed by means of a formal process which insures that the licensed service providers and professionals designated in this subsection meet the terms of their contracts;
     (4) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly, disabled, children, and low-income persons are met within the priorities established in this chapter;
     (5) Maintain patient tracking information in a central location as required for resource management services and the department's information system;
     (6) Use not more than two percent of state-appropriated community mental health funds, which shall not include federal funds, to administer community mental health programs under RCW 71.24.155: PROVIDED, That county authorities serving a county or combination of counties whose population is one hundred twenty-five thousand or more may be entitled to sufficient state-appropriated community mental health funds to employ up to one full-time employee or the equivalent thereof in addition to the two percent limit established in this subsection when such employee is providing staff services to a county mental health advisory board;
     (7) Collaborate to ensure that policies do not result in an adverse shift of mentally ill persons into state and local correctional facilities;
     (8) Work with the department to expedite the enrollment or re-enrollment of eligible persons leaving state or local correctional facilities and institutions for mental diseases;
     (9) If a regional support network is not operated by the county, work closely with the county designated mental health professional or county designated crisis responder to maximize appropriate placement of persons into community services; and
     (10) Coordinate services for individuals who have received services through the community mental health system and who become patients at a state mental hospital.

Sec. 9   RCW 71.24.100 and 1982 c 204 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     A county authority or a group of county authorities may enter into a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network. Any agreement between two or more county authorities for the establishment of a ((community mental health program)) regional support network shall provide:
     (1) That each county shall bear a share of the cost of mental health services; and
     (2) That the treasurer of one participating county shall be the custodian of funds made available for the purposes of such mental health services, and that the treasurer may make payments from such funds upon audit by the appropriate auditing officer of the county for which he is treasurer.

Sec. 10   RCW 71.24.240 and 1982 c 204 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     In order to establish eligibility for funding under this chapter, any ((county or counties)) regional support network seeking to obtain federal funds for the support of any aspect of a community mental health program as defined in this chapter shall submit program plans to the secretary for prior review and approval before such plans are submitted to any federal agency.

Sec. 11   RCW 71.24.300 and 2001 c 323 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((A county authority or a group of county authorities whose combined population is no less than forty thousand may enter into a joint operating agreement to form a regional support network.)) Upon the request of a tribal authority or authorities within a regional support network the joint operating agreement or the county authority shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network. The roles and responsibilities of the county and tribal authorities shall be determined by the terms of that agreement including a determination of membership on the governing board and advisory committees, the number of tribal representatives to be party to the agreement, and the provisions of law and shall assure the provision of culturally competent services to the tribes served. The state mental health authority may not determine the roles and responsibilities of county authorities as to each other under regional support networks by rule, except to assure that all duties required of regional support networks are assigned and that counties and the regional support network do not duplicate functions and that a single authority has final responsibility for all available resources and performance under the regional support network's contract with the secretary. If a regional support network is a private entity, the department shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network. The roles and responsibilities of the private entity and the tribal authorities shall be determined by the department, through negotiation with the tribal authority.
     (1) Regional support networks shall submit an overall six-year operating and capital plan, timeline, and budget and submit progress reports and an updated two-year plan biennially thereafter, to assume within available resources all of the following duties:
     (a) Administer and provide for the availability of all resource management services, residential services, and community support services.
     (b) ((Assume the powers and duties of county authorities within its area as described in RCW 71.24.045 (1) through (7).
     (c))) Administer and provide for the availability of all investigation, transportation, court-related, and other services provided by the state or counties pursuant to chapter 71.05 RCW.
     (((d))) (c) Provide within the boundaries of each regional support network evaluation and treatment services for at least eighty-five percent of persons detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days according to chapter 71.05 RCW. Regional support networks with populations of less than one hundred fifty thousand may contract to purchase evaluation and treatment services from other networks. Insofar as the original intent of serving persons in the community is maintained, the secretary is authorized to approve exceptions on a case-by-case basis to the requirement to provide evaluation and treatment services within the boundaries of each regional support network. Such exceptions are limited to contracts with neighboring or contiguous regions.
     (((e))) (d) Administer a portion of funds appropriated by the legislature to house mentally ill persons in state institutions from counties within the boundaries of any regional support network, with the exception of persons currently confined at, or under the supervision of, a state mental hospital pursuant to chapter 10.77 RCW, and provide for the care of all persons needing evaluation and treatment services for periods up to seventeen days according to chapter 71.05 RCW in appropriate residential services, which may include state institutions. The regional support networks shall reimburse the state for use of state institutions at a rate equal to that assumed by the legislature when appropriating funds for such care at state institutions during the biennium when reimbursement occurs. The secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives on the efforts to implement this section by October 1, 2002. The duty of a state hospital to accept persons for evaluation and treatment under chapter 71.05 RCW is limited by the responsibilities assigned to regional support networks under this section.
     (((f))) (e) Administer and provide for the availability of all other mental health services, which shall include patient counseling, day treatment, consultation, education services, employment services as defined in RCW 71.24.035, and mental health services to children ((as provided in this chapter designed to achieve the outcomes specified in section 5 of this act)).
     (((g))) (f) Establish standards and procedures for reviewing individual service plans and determining when that person may be discharged from resource management services.
     (2) ((Regional support networks shall assume all duties assigned to county authorities by this chapter and chapter 71.05 RCW.
     (3))) A regional support network may request that any state-owned land, building, facility, or other capital asset which was ever purchased, deeded, given, or placed in trust for the care of the mentally ill and which is within the boundaries of a regional support network be made available to support the operations of the regional support network. State agencies managing such capital assets shall give first priority to requests for their use pursuant to this chapter.
     (((4))) (3) Each regional support network shall appoint a mental health advisory board which shall review and provide comments on plans and policies developed under this chapter, provide local oversight regarding the activities of the regional support network, and work with the regional support network to resolve significant concerns regarding service delivery and outcomes. The department shall establish statewide procedures for the operation of regional advisory committees including mechanisms for advisory board feedback to the department regarding regional support network performance. The composition of the board shall be broadly representative of the demographic character of the region and ((the mentally ill persons served therein)) shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of consumers and families, law enforcement, and where the county is not the regional support network, county elected officials. Composition and length of terms of board members may differ between regional support networks but shall be ((determined)) included in each regional support network's contract and approved by the ((regional support network)) secretary.
     (((5))) (4) Regional support networks shall assume all duties specified in their plans and joint operating agreements through biennial contractual agreements with the secretary.
     (((6) Counties or groups of counties participating in a regional support network are not subject to RCW 71.24.045(6).
     (7))) (5) Regional support networks may receive technical assistance from the housing trust fund and may identify and submit projects for housing and housing support services to the housing trust fund established under chapter 43.185 RCW. Projects identified or submitted under this subsection must be fully integrated with the regional support network six-year operating and capital plan, timeline, and budget required by subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall adopt rules and policies providing that when persons with a mental disorder, who were enrolled in medical assistance immediately prior to confinement, are released from confinement, their medical assistance coverage will be fully reinstated on the day of their release, subject to any expedited review of their continued eligibility for medical assistance coverage that is required under federal or state law.
     (2) The department, in collaboration with the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, the department of corrections, and the regional support networks, shall establish procedures for coordination between department field offices, institutions for mental disease, and correctional institutions, as defined in RCW 9.94.049, that result in prompt reinstatement of eligibility and speedy eligibility determinations for persons who are likely to be eligible for medical assistance services upon release from confinement. Procedures developed under this subsection must address:
     (a) Mechanisms for receiving medical assistance services applications on behalf of confined persons in anticipation of their release from confinement;
     (b) Expeditious review of applications filed by or on behalf of confined persons and, to the extent practicable, completion of the review before the person is released;
     (c) Mechanisms for providing medical assistance services identity cards to persons eligible for medical assistance services immediately upon their release from confinement; and
     (d) Coordination with the federal social security administration, through interagency agreements or otherwise, to expedite processing of applications for federal supplemental security income or social security disability benefits, including federal acceptance of applications on behalf of confined persons.
     (3) Where medical or psychiatric examinations during a person's confinement indicate that the person is disabled, the correctional institution or institution for mental diseases shall provide the department with that information for purposes of making medical assistance eligibility and enrollment determinations prior to the person's release from confinement. The department shall, to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, use the examination in making its determination whether the person is disabled and eligible for medical assistance.
     (4) For purposes of this section, "confined" or "confinement" means incarcerated in a correctional institution, as defined in RCW 9.94.049, or admitted to an institute for mental disease, as defined in 42 C.F.R. part 435, Sec. 1009 on the effective date of this section.
     (5) For purposes of this section, "likely to be eligible" means that a person:
     (a) Was enrolled in medicaid or supplemental security income or general assistance immediately before he or she was confined and his or her enrollment was terminated during his or her confinement; or
     (b) Was enrolled in medicaid or supplemental security income or general assistance at any time during the five years before his or her confinement, and medical or psychiatric examinations during the person's confinement indicate that the person continues to be disabled and the disability is likely to last at least twelve months following release.
     (6) The economic services administration shall adopt standardized statewide screening and application practices and forms designed to facilitate the application of a confined person who is likely to be eligible for medicaid.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     The secretary shall require the regional support networks to develop interlocal agreements pursuant to section 12 of this act. To this end, the regional support networks shall accept referrals for enrollment on behalf of a confined person, prior to the person's release.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14   (1) A joint legislative and executive task force on mental health services delivery and financing is created. The joint task force shall consist of eight members, as follows: The secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her designee; the president of the Washington state association of counties or his or her designee; a representative from the governor's office; two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the majority caucus and one of whom shall be a member of the minority caucus; two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the majority caucus and one of whom shall be a member of the minority caucus; and the chair of the joint legislative audit and review committee or his or her designee. Staff support for the joint task force shall be provided by the office of financial management, the house of representatives office of program research, and senate committee services.
     (2) The joint task force may create advisory committees to assist the joint task force in its work.
     (3) Joint task force members may be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 and chapter 44.04 RCW, as appropriate. Advisory committee members, if appointed, shall not receive compensation or reimbursement for travel or expenses.
     (4) The joint task force shall oversee and make recommendations related to:
     (a) The reorganization of the mental health administrative structure within the department of social and health services;
     (b) The standards and correction process and the procurement process established by sections 4 through 6 of this act, including the establishment of regional support networks through a procurement process;
     (c) The extent to which the current funding distribution methodology achieves equity in funding and access to services for mental health services consumers;
     (d) Serving the needs of nonmedicaid consumers for the priority populations under chapter 71.24 RCW; and
     (e) The types, numbers, and locations of inpatient psychiatric hospital and community residential beds needed to serve persons with a mental illness.
     (5) The joint task force shall report its initial findings and recommendations to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2006, and its final findings and recommendations by June 30, 2007.
     (6) This section expires June 30, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   (1) The department of social and health services shall enter into a contract with regional support networks for the period ending August 31, 2006. The department shall issue a request for proposal to the extent required by section 4 of this act and the contract shall be effective September 1, 2006.
     (2) This section expires June 30, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   The code reviser shall replace all references to "county designated mental health professional" with "designated mental health professional" in the Revised Code of Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   This act does not affect any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those sections.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19   Section 4 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.