FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 1528

C 264 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning recovery support services.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Davis, Harris, Irwin, Stonier, Rude, Jinkins, Sutherland, Thai, Entenman, Mead, Callan, Goodman, Frame, Kloba, Chapman, Tarleton, Senn, Eslick, Barkis, Peterson, Walen, Ryu, Bergquist, Paul, Stanford, Valdez, Pollet, Leavitt and Macri).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care

Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

In January 2017 the Healthcare Authority received federal waiver approval for the Foundational Community Supports Program, which provides supported employment and supported housing services to Medicaid clients. Supported employment services are services that help individuals with barriers to employment obtain and keep a job, including employment assessments; assistance with applications, community resources, and employer outreach; and education, training, and coaching necessary to maintain employment. Supported employment services do not pay for wages and wage enhancements. Supported housing services are services that help individuals obtain and keep housing, including supports that assess housing needs, identify appropriate resources, and develop the independent living skills necessary to remain in stable housing. Supported housing services do not pay for rent or other room and board related costs.

Summary:

The Health Care Authority (Authority) must maintain a registry of approved recovery residences or contract with a nationally-recognized recovery residence certification organization based in Washington to maintain the registry. A "recovery residence" is defined as a home-like environment that promotes healthy recovery from a substance use disorder and supports persons recovering from a substance use disorder through the use of peer recovery support.  

A recovery residence may choose to be included in the registry if it has been certified by a certification agency that meets specified standards.  The standards relate to requiring peers to be involved in the governance of the recovery residence, integrating recovery support into daily activities, maintaining the recovery residence as a home-like environment that promotes healthy recovery, promoting resident activities within the recovery residence and in the community, and maintaining an environment free from alcohol and illicit drugs. 

Recovery residences are not required to become certified or entered in the registry.  By January 1, 2023, licensed or certified service providers referring clients in need of recovery support housing may only refer them to registered recovery residences, unless discharge or referral to another placement or service is appropriate.

The Authority must contract with the nationally-recognized recovery residence certification organization based in Washington to establish a technical assistance program for recovery residence operators seeking certification.  The technical assistance must include new manager training, assistance preparing facility operations documents and policies, and support for working with residents on medication-assisted treatment.  The technical assistance program expires on July 1, 2025.

The Authority must establish a revolving fund for loans to operators of recovery residences seeking certification and registration.  The loans may be used for facility modifications or operating start-up costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, security deposits, salaries for on-site staff, and minimal maintenance costs.  The revolving fund program expires on July 1, 2025.

The community substance use disorder program may include technology-based recovery supports.

Votes on Final Passage: