Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

HB 1888

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.

Background:

The Department of Health.

The Department of Health (DOH) is the primary agency responsible for statewide public health activities. These activities include epidemiology, health professions and facilities regulation, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and environmental health monitoring and assessment. Each of these activities includes various programs to address particular health concerns. The health facilities that the DOH regulates include hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, and residential treatment facilities.

Certification of Chemical Dependency Treatment Programs.

All programs that provide chemical dependency treatment must obtain certification from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Chemical dependency treatment programs provide for the care, treatment, or rehabilitation of people with substance use disorders. These programs may either be public or private entities. A program must be certified by the DSHS for each of the chemical dependency services that it provides. These chemical dependency services may include: detoxification services, residential treatment services, outpatient treatment services, assessment services, and information and assistance services.

While the DSHS is responsible for certifying services for all chemical dependency treatment programs, residential treatment programs are also required to be licensed by the DOH as a residential treatment facility. Residential treatment facilities that plan to change the number of DOH licensed beds, undergo a remodel of their facility, or to relocate the facility must get approval from the DOH before relocation or remodeling.

Summary of Bill:

Transfer of Responsibilities to the Department of Health.

All of the responsibilities of the DSHS regarding certification of chemical dependency treatment programs are transferred to the DOH. The DOH will adopt rules establishing standards for treatment programs and develop an application form for applicants to obtain an initial certification to operate a treatment program or to renew a certification. The DOH may deem a public or private treatment program to have met the certification standards if the treatment program provides proof of accreditation by an organization that has standards substantially equivalent to those of the DOH.

Treatment programs that have already been approved by the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services are subject to inspection by the DOH upon renewal. Upon the expiration of the certification of a treatment program approved by the DSHS, the treatment program must apply to the Secretary of Health for renewal of the certification. In adopting rules to implement the provisions of the bill, the Secretary of Health must consider rules already adopted by the DSHS.

Responsibility Retained by the Department of Social and Health Services.

The responsibilities regarding alcohol and substance abuse treatment other than the certification of treatment providers remains with the DSHS.

Effective Dates.

As of July 1, 2016, the DSHS will no longer issue new or renewal certifications to treatment programs. Until July 1, 2017, the DOH must recognize the unexpired certification of a treatment program issued by the DSHS. The transfer of the responsibility of the certification of chemical dependency treatment programs takes effect July 1, 2016.