VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1290-S2

May 17, 2005

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning, without my approval as to Section 5, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1290 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to community mental health services."

Section 5 specifies that there should be a minimum of eight and a maximum of fourteen community mental health Regional Support Networks. This section is also included in Section 805 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5763. It is not necessary to include the same language in both bills.

Sections 12 and 13 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1290 require the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to establish new rules and policies. Those rules and policies concern expediting new applications or reinstating Medicaid benefits for persons with mental health disorders discharged from an institutional setting such as jails, state correction facilities, or state hospitals. The 2005-2007 state operating budget passed by the Legislature may not have provided sufficient funding to implement sections 12 and 13. Rather than veto these sections due to insufficient funding, I am directing the DSHS to phase in the new procedures on a statewide basis and continue to evaluate the funding needs as the program is implemented.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 5 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1290. With the exception of Section 5, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1290 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine O. Gregoire

Governor