Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Children, Youth & Families Committee
HB 1325
Brief Description: Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health.
Sponsors: Representatives Callan, Eslick, Leavitt, Fitzgibbon, Thai, Duerr, Senn, Ortiz-Self, Davis, Bergquist, Ramos, Lekanoff, Pollet, Dent and Goodman.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes the partnership access line for moms and the mental health referral service for children and teens as ongoing programs.
  • Requires the Health Care Authority to provide reimbursement for up to five sessions of mental health intake and assessment of children from birth through age 5 in home and community settings.
  • Requires providers to use the current version of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood. 
Hearing Date: 1/27/21
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
Background:

Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group.

In 2016 the Children's Behavioral Health Work Group was created by the Legislature.  The group was renamed in 2018 as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) and extended through 2026. 

 

The CYBHWG has a variety of members including legislative members, representatives from various state agencies, representatives from behavioral health organizations, parents, pediatricians, and youth.

 

In 2020 the CYBHWG produced a report with recommendations to the Legislature developed through four advisory groups in the following areas:

  • prenatal to age 5 relational health;
  • workforce and rates;
  • student behavioral health and suicide prevention; and
  • youth and young adult continuum of care.

 

Partnership Access Line.

The Partnership Access Line (PAL) supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care including:

  • diagnostic clarification;
  • medication adjustment; or 
  • treatment planning.

 

A social worker is available through the PAL to assist with finding mental health resources for patients.  

 

The PAL also provides specialized consultation for mothers, teens, and children.  

 

The PAL also partners with the Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens where families can speak directly with a referral specialist.

 

The PAL for Moms provides perinatal mental health consultation, recommendations, and referrals for providers caring for pregnant or postpartum patients from faculty members of the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with expertise in perinatal mental health.

 

Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood.

The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0-5) is a diagnostic manual for children ages birth through age 5 designed to help mental health and other professionals recognize mental health and developmental challenges in infants and young children.  The DC:0-5 uses diagnostic criteria for classification, case formulation, and intervention.
Summary of Bill:

The partnership access line for moms and the mental health referral service for children and teens are established as ongoing programs.

 

The Health Care Authority is required to allow otherwise eligible reimbursement for the following related to mental health assessment and diagnosis of children from birth through age 5:

  • up to five sessions for purposes of intake and assessment; and
  • assessments in home or community settings, including reimbursement for provider travel.

 

Providers must use the current version of the DC:0-5 diagnostic classification system for mental health assessment and diagnosis of children from birth through age 5.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.