HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1456
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to home visits by mental health professionals.
Brief Description: Providing backup for mental health professionals doing home visits.
Sponsors: Representatives Green, Hinkle, Appleton, Cody, Moeller, Strow, Crouse, Curtis, Seaquist, Jarrett, Hasegawa, Walsh, P. Sullivan, Buri, Simpson, O'Brien, Lantz, Hunt, McDonald, Sells, Schual-Berke, Linville, Kessler, Hankins, Haler, Skinner, Campbell, Morrell, Darneille, Armstrong, Dunshee, Fromhold, Kagi, Williams, Conway, Barlow, Grant, Priest, Dunn, Hunter, Hurst, Ericks, Pearson, Anderson, Clibborn, Pettigrew, Flannigan, Lovick, Dickerson, Kenney, Ormsby, Haigh, Wood, Rolfes, Santos and McDermott.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/12/07, 2/14/07 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/26/07, 3/3/07 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, Curtis, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
There are designated mental health professionals (DMHPs) who perform initial evaluations
and detentions pursuant to the involuntary commitment statutes and provide crisis outreach
services for individuals with mental disorders. These DMHPs occasionally evaluate people
for involuntary detention or provide crisis outreach services in the homes of individuals with
mental disorders.
Summary of Bill:
No DMHP or other mental health crisis outreach worker will be required to conduct home
visits alone. Employers will equip mental health workers who engage in home visits with a
communication device. Mental health workers dispatched on crisis outreach visits will have
prompt access to any history of dangerousness or potential dangerousness on the client they
are visiting, if available. All community mental health workers who work directly with
clients will be provided with annual training on safety and violence prevention. The bill is
null and void unless funded in the budget.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a carefully worked compromise between community mental health
agencies and organizations representing community mental health workers. It will provide
greater safety for community mental health workers.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Green, prime sponsor; Bruce Bardwell, Compass Health and Service Employees International Union; and Marie Manlangit, Service Employees International Union.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 34 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, P. Sullivan and Walsh.
Staff: Amy Skei (786-7140).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to
Recommendation of Committee On Health Care & Wellness:
The Appropriations Committee recommendation broadens the list of who may select the
second person to accompany a mental health worker on a crisis visit or an involuntary
treatment act evaluation in a private setting.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Last year the Marty Smith bill passed the House 76 to 22, and died in the Senate.
During the interim at the request of legislators we worked with other stakeholders to recraft
the bill and reduce fiscal impact. We believe these changes should reduce the fiscal impact to
the low end estimate of $3.5 million or even less. Our union members who work in
community mental health recognize that there is inherent danger in their jobs. No law is
going to erase that fact. But the Marty Smith bill will improve safety for our workers through
improved training and strengthen safety on community home visits. It has been a
complicated process to come up with a reasonable estimate of what this will cost. There will
be additional costs. This cannot be done within current resources.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Jonathan Rosenblum, SEIU 1199 Northwest; and Ann Christian, Washington Community Mental Health Council.