READ FIRST TIME 02/21/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to facilitating treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders by requiring development of an integrated rule; adding a new section to chapter 70.96A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; and providing expiration dates.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 70.96A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any licensed mental health agency which has a waiver from the department exempting the agency from compliance with chemical dependency rules for services provided to patients with co-occurring mental health and chemical dependency disorders as of January 1, 2013, may request and must receive a three-year renewal of the waiver exempting the agency from compliance with chemical dependency rules with respect to such patients if a fully integrated rule is not in effect by May 1, 2014.
     (2) This section expires June 30, 2014.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any licensed mental health agency which has a waiver from the department exempting the agency from compliance with chemical dependency rules for services provided to patients with co-occurring mental health and chemical dependency disorders as of January 1, 2013, may request and must receive a three-year renewal of the waiver exempting the agency from compliance with chemical dependency rules with respect to such patients if a fully integrated rule is not in effect by May 1, 2014.
     (2) This section expires June 30, 2014.