Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Committee |
SSB 5633
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. |
Brief Description: Supporting and expanding behavioral health workforce pathway programs.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brown, Walsh, Becker, Hasegawa, Zeiger, Keiser and O'Ban).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 4/3/19
Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).
Background:
An Area Health Education Center (AHEC) develops and implements strategies to recruit individuals from underrepresented minority population or from disadvantaged or rural backgrounds to strengthen the health care workforce in rural and urban underserved communities. Washington has two AHECs. Whatcom Community College is the site of the AHEC for western Washington, and Eastern Washington University is the site for the AHEC for eastern Washington.
The AHECs receive funding from the University of Washington and the Department of Health (DOH). The programs that they provide are directed towards students in high school and college, and they are designed to prepare those students to enter training for health professions.
Summary of Bill:
The DOH must provide appropriated state funds to the AHECs for both eastern and western Washington to support and expand current behavioral health workforce academic and career pathway programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 18, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.