SHB 2690

SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2690

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 Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 28, 2008
Ways & Means, March 03, 2008

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Hasegawa, Morrell, Green, McIntire and Simpson).

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Rasmussen, Regala, Rockefeller and Tom.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Honeyford, Parlette and Roach.

Background: The Mental Health First Aid training course was developed in 2000 by the Centre for Mental Health Research in Melbourne, Australia. The goal of the course is to promote mental health literacy among citizens and reduce the stigma of mental illness. Specifically, the course teaches its students to recognize symptoms of mental illness, how to provide initial help and remain calm and confident and promote recovery, and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help. The course has been taught internationally, and in the states of Maryland and New York.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Social and Health Services must make available a one-time "train the trainers" mental health first aid course to train members of the public in how to give initial help in mental health crisis situations, and to support people developing mental health problems The course must provide 12 hours of instruction and be based on the model developed by the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The bill is null and void if specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2008.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill (Human Services & Corrections): CON: The effect of this legislation is to promote the use of psychiatric drugs. That's what private industry wants, and it's not what we should be supporting.

Persons Testifying (Human Services & Corrections): CON: Steven Pearce, Citizens Commission on Human Rights.