AN ACT Relating to expanding community-based behavioral health facilities through issuance of state bonds; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; providing an effective date; providing a contingent effective date; and providing for submission of certain sections of this act to a vote of the people.

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

PART I

COMMUNITY-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITIES

The legislature finds further that local facilities and services that keep Washington residents closer to their families and communities improve outcomes. These services may be provided in community settings including, but not limited to, evaluation and treatment centers, crisis triage and stabilization centers, less restrictive alternative step-down beds, enhanced service facilities, detoxification centers, transitional and long-term housing, residential treatment centers, and other such facilities. Additional resources for these community settings help prevent the need for an inpatient level of care at a state hospital or other long-term inpatient hospital setting.

(1) Evidence that the application was developed in collaboration with one or more behavioral health organizations, as defined in RCW 71.24.025;

(2) Evidence that the applicant has assessed and would meet gaps in geographical behavioral health services needs in their region;

(3) A commitment by applicants to serve persons who are publicly funded and persons detained under the involuntary treatment act under chapter 71.05 RCW;

(4) A commitment by the applicant to maintain the beds or facility for at least a ten-year period;

(5) The date upon which structural modifications or construction would begin and the anticipated date of completion of the project;

(6) A detailed estimate of the costs associated with opening the beds; and

(7) The applicant's commitment to work with local courts and prosecutors to ensure that prosecutors and courts in the area served by the hospital or facility will be available to conduct involuntary commitment hearings and proceedings under chapter 71.05 RCW.

PART II

BOND AUTHORIZATION

(2) Bonds authorized in this section must be sold in the manner, at the time or times, in amounts, and at such prices as the state finance committee determines.

(3) The authorization to issue bonds contained in this chapter does not expire until the full authorization has been issued.

(4) No bonds authorized in this section may be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation of the net proceeds of the sale of the bonds.

(2) Bonds authorized in this section must be sold in the manner, at the time or times, in amounts, and at such prices as the state finance committee determines.

(3) The authorization to issue bonds contained in this chapter does not expire until the full authorization has been issued.

(4) No bonds authorized in this section may be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation of the net proceeds of the sale of the bonds.

(2) If the state finance committee deems it necessary or advantageous to issue taxable bonds in order to comply with federal internal revenue service rules and regulations pertaining to the use of nontaxable bond proceeds or in order to reduce the total financing costs for bonds issued, the proceeds of taxable bonds shall be transferred to the community behavioral health taxable bond account created in section 401 of this act. The state treasurer shall submit written notice to the director of financial management if it is determined that any transfer to the community behavioral health taxable bond account is necessary or that a transfer from the community behavioral health taxable bond account to the community behavioral health bond account may be made.

(2) The state finance committee must, on or before June 30th of each year, certify to the state treasurer the amount needed in the ensuing twelve months to meet the bond retirement and interest requirements on the bonds authorized in section 201 of this act.

(3) On each date on which any interest or principal and interest payment is due on bonds issued for the purposes of section 201 of this act, the state treasurer shall withdraw from any general state revenues received in the state treasury and deposit in the nondebt-limit general fund bond retirement account an amount equal to the amount certified by the state finance committee to be due on the payment date.

(2) The state finance committee must, on or before June 30th of each year, certify to the state treasurer the amount needed in the ensuing twelve months to meet the bond retirement and interest requirements on the bonds authorized in section 203 of this act.

(3) On each date on which any interest or principal and interest payment is due on bonds issued for the purposes of section 203 of this act, the state treasurer shall withdraw from any general state revenues received in the state treasury and deposit in the debt-limit general fund bond retirement account an amount equal to the amount certified by the state finance committee to be due on the payment date.

(2) The owner and holder of each of the bonds or the trustee for the owner and holder of any of the bonds may by mandamus or other appropriate proceeding require the transfer and payment of funds as directed in this section.

PART III

REFERENDUM PROVISIONS

(2) If the people ratify sections 201 and 202 of this act as specified under subsection (1) of this section, revenues generated shall be spent as detailed in this act.

(3) Pursuant to RCW 29A.72.050(6), the statement of subject and concise description for the ballot title shall read: "The legislature has passed Senate Bill No. . . . . (this act), concerning community-based behavioral health facilities throughout the state. This bill would authorize bonds to expand community-based behavioral health facilities to serve and treat the mentally ill."

PART IV

TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

--- END ---