READ FIRST TIME 02/08/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to community-based behavioral health services; amending RCW 71.24.025, 71.24.300, 71.24.320, and 71.24.330; reenacting and amending RCW 71.24.035; adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     In the event that an existing regional support network will no longer be contracting to provide services, it is the intent of the legislature to provide flexibility to the department to facilitate a stable transition which avoids disruption of services to consumers and families, maximizes efficiency and public safety, and maintains the integrity of the public mental health system. By granting this authority and flexibility, the legislature finds that the department will be able to maximize purchasing power within allocated resources and attract high quality organizations with optimal infrastructure to perform regional support network functions through competitive procurement processes. The legislature intends for the department of social and health services to partner with political subdivisions and other entities to provide quality, coordinated, and integrated services to address the needs of individuals with behavioral health needs.

Sec. 2   RCW 71.24.025 and 2007 c 414 s 1 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, 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.
     (3) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.
     (4) "Chronically mentally ill adult" or "adult who is chronically mentally ill" 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) "Clubhouse" means a community-based program that provides rehabilitation services and is certified by the department of social and health services.
     (6) "Community mental health program" means all mental health services, activities, or programs using available resources.
     (7) "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.
     (8) "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 persons who are mentally ill 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 children who are acutely mentally ill or severely emotionally disturbed 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.
     (9) "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.
     (10) "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.
     (11) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
     (12) "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.
     (13) "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.
     (14) "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.
     (15) "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 persons licensed under chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.83, or 18.79 RCW, as it applies to registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners.
     (16) "Long-term inpatient care" means inpatient services for persons committed for, or voluntarily receiving intensive treatment for, periods of ninety days or greater under chapter 71.05 RCW. "Long-term inpatient care" as used in this chapter does not include: (a) Services for individuals committed under chapter 71.05 RCW who are receiving services pursuant to a conditional release or a court-ordered less restrictive alternative to detention; or (b) services for individuals voluntarily receiving less restrictive alternative treatment on the grounds of the state hospital.
     (17) "Mental health services" means all services provided by regional support networks and other services provided by the state for persons who are mentally ill.
     (18) "Mentally ill persons," "persons who are mentally ill," and "the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in subsections (1), (4), (27), and (28) of this section.
     (19) "Recovery" means the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
     (20) "Regional support network" means a county authority or group of county authorities or other ((nonprofit)) entity recognized by the secretary in contract in a defined region.
     (21) "Registration records" include all the records of the department, regional support networks, treatment facilities, and other persons providing services to the department, county departments, or facilities which identify persons who are receiving or who at any time have received services for mental illness.
     (22) "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.
     (23) "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 persons who are acutely mentally ill, adults who are chronically mentally ill, children who are severely emotionally disturbed, or adults who are seriously disturbed and 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 persons who are mentally ill in nursing homes, boarding homes, and adult family homes, and may include outpatient services provided as an element in a package of services in a supported housing model. 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.
     (24) "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.
     (25) "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) Adults and children who are acutely mentally ill; (b) adults who are chronically mentally ill; (c) children who are severely emotionally disturbed; or (d) adults who are seriously disturbed and 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 enrollment of adults and children who are mentally ill in services and their individual service plan to designated mental health professionals, evaluation and treatment facilities, and others as determined by the regional support network.
     (26) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.
     (27) "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.
     (28) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" or "child who is severely emotionally disturbed" 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 caretaker who is mentally ill or inadequate;
     (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.
     (29) "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.
     (30) "Treatment records" include registration and all other records concerning persons who are receiving or who at any time have received services for mental illness, which are maintained by the department, by regional support networks and their staffs, and by treatment facilities. Treatment records do not include notes or records maintained for personal use by a person providing treatment services for the department, regional support networks, or a treatment facility if the notes or records are not available to others.
     (31) "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 71.24.035 and 2007 c 414 s 2, 2007 c 410 s 8, and 2007 c 375 s 12 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 regional support network if the regional support network fails to meet state minimum standards or refuses to exercise responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045, until such time as a new regional support network is designated under RCW 71.24.320.
     (5) The secretary shall:
     (a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that incorporates regional biennial needs assessments and regional mental health service plans and state services for adults and children with mental illness. The secretary 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 region's residents, including parents who are defendants in dependency cases, in the following order of priority: (i) Persons with acute mental illness; (ii) adults with chronic mental illness and children who are severely emotionally disturbed; and (iii) persons who are seriously disturbed. Such programs shall provide:
     (A) Outpatient services;
     (B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;
     (C) Day treatment for persons with mental illness 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 persons with mental illness 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 persons who are minorities, elderly, disabled, children, low-income, and parents who are defendants in dependency cases are met within the priorities established in this section;
     (e) Establish a standard contract or contracts, consistent with state minimum standards ((and)), RCW 71.24.320((,)) and 71.24.330((, and 71.24.3201)), which shall be used in contracting with regional support networks. The standard contract shall include a maximum fund balance, which shall 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 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 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, 71.05.420, and 71.05.440;
     (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 regional support networks and licensed service providers as needed to assure compliance with contractual agreements authorized by this chapter;
     (m) Adopt such rules as are necessary to implement the department's responsibilities under this chapter;
     (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;
     (o) Certify crisis stabilization units that meet state minimum standards; and
     (p) Certify clubhouses that meet state minimum standards.
     (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) The standards for certification of crisis stabilization units shall include standards that:
     (a) Permit location of the units at a jail facility if the unit is physically separate from the general population of the jail;
     (b) Require administration of the unit by mental health professionals who direct the stabilization and rehabilitation efforts; and
     (c) Provide an environment affording security appropriate with the alleged criminal behavior and necessary to protect the public safety.
     (14) The standards for certification of a clubhouse shall at a minimum include:
     (a) The facilities may be peer-operated and must be recovery-focused;
     (b) Members and employees must work together;
     (c) Members must have the opportunity to participate in all the work of the clubhouse, including administration, research, intake and orientation, outreach, hiring, training and evaluation of staff, public relations, advocacy, and evaluation of clubhouse effectiveness;
     (d) Members and staff and ultimately the clubhouse director must be responsible for the operation of the clubhouse, central to this responsibility is the engagement of members and staff in all aspects of clubhouse operations;
     (e) Clubhouse programs must be comprised of structured activities including but not limited to social skills training, vocational rehabilitation, employment training and job placement, and community resource development;
     (f) Clubhouse programs must provide in-house educational programs that significantly utilize the teaching and tutoring skills of members and assist members by helping them to take advantage of adult education opportunities in the community;
     (g) Clubhouse programs must focus on strengths, talents, and abilities of its members;
     (h) The work-ordered day may not include medication clinics, day treatment, or other therapy programs within the clubhouse.
     (15) The department shall distribute appropriated state and federal funds in accordance with any priorities, terms, or conditions specified in the appropriations act.
     (16) The secretary shall assume all duties assigned to the nonparticipating 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 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.
     (17) 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) Notify regional support networks of their allocation of available resources at least sixty days prior to the start of a new biennial contract period.
     (d) Deny all or part of the 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. Regional support networks disputing the decision of the secretary to withhold funding allocations are limited to the remedies provided in the department's contracts with the regional support networks.
     (18) 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. 4   RCW 71.24.300 and 2006 c 333 s 106 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) 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.
     (2) 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.
     (3) 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.
     (4) If a regional support network is a private ((nonprofit)) entity, the department shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network.
     (5) The roles and responsibilities of the private ((nonprofit)) entity and the tribal authorities shall be determined by the department, through negotiation with the tribal authority.
     (6) 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) 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.
     (c) Provide within the boundaries of each regional support network evaluation and treatment services for at least ninety percent of persons detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days according to chapter 71.05 RCW. Regional support networks may contract to purchase evaluation and treatment services from other networks if they are unable to provide for appropriate resources within their boundaries. 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:
     (i) Contracts with neighboring or contiguous regions; or
     (ii) Individuals detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days at the state hospitals at the discretion of the secretary.
     (d) 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.
     (e) Establish standards and procedures for reviewing individual service plans and determining when that person may be discharged from resource management services.
     (7) 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)) persons with mental illness 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.
     (8) 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 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 included in each regional support network's contract and approved by the secretary.
     (9) Regional support networks shall assume all duties specified in their plans and joint operating agreements through biennial contractual agreements with the secretary.
     (10) 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 (6) of this section.

Sec. 5   RCW 71.24.320 and 2006 c 333 s 202 are each amended 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)(a))) If an existing regional support network chooses not to respond to ((the)) a request for qualifications, or is unable to substantially meet the requirements of ((the)) a request for qualifications, or notifies the department of social and health services it will no longer serve as a regional support network, 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)).
     (((i))) (a) The request for proposal shall include a scoring factor for proposals that include additional financial resources beyond that provided by state appropriation or allocation.
     (((ii) Regional support networks that substantially met the requirements of the request for qualifications may bid to serve as the regional support network for other regions of the state that are subject to the request for proposal process. The proposal shall be evaluated on whether the bid meets the threshold requirement for the new region and shall not subject the regional support networks' original region to the request for proposal.
     (b) Prior to final evaluation and scoring of the proposals all respondents will be provided with an opportunity for a detailed briefing by the department regarding the deficiencies in the proposal and shall be provided an opportunity to clarify information previously submitted.))
     (b) The department shall provide detailed briefings to all bidders in accordance with department and state procurement policies.
     (c) The request for proposal shall also include a scoring factor for proposals submitted by nonprofit entities that include a component to maximize the utilization of state provided resources and the leverage of other funds for the support of mental health services to persons with mental illness.
     (2) A regional support network that voluntarily terminates, refuses to renew, or refuses to sign a mandatory amendment to its contract to act as a regional support network is prohibited from responding to a procurement under this section or serving as a regional support network for five years from the date that the department signs a contract with the entity that will serve as the regional support network.

Sec. 6   RCW 71.24.330 and 2006 c 333 s 203 are each amended 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 regional support network procurement processes 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. However, a regional support network selected through the procurement process is not required to contract for services with any county-owned or operated facility. The regional support network 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;
     (d) Maintain the decision-making independence of designated mental health professionals;
     (e) Except at the discretion of the secretary or as specified in the biennial budget, require regional support networks to pay the state for the costs associated with individuals who are being served on the grounds of the state hospitals and who are not receiving long-term inpatient care as defined in RCW 71.24.025; ((and))
     (f) Include a negotiated alternative dispute resolution clause; and
     (g) Include a provision requiring either party to provide one hundred eighty days' notice of any issue that may cause either party to voluntarily terminate, refuse to renew, or refuse to sign a mandatory amendment to the contract to act as a regional support network. If either party decides to voluntarily terminate, refuse to renew, or refuse to sign a mandatory amendment to the contract to serve as a regional support network they shall provide ninety days' advance notice in writing to the other party.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Section 5 of this act applies retroactively to July 1, 2007.