HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 646

                                  C 406 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Brekke, Winsley, H. Sommers, R. King, Leonard and Sanders; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Establishing an alcoholism and drug addiction treatment and shelter program.

House Committe on Human Services

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections and Committee on Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Caseloads in the state General Assistance-Unemployable Program have been rising at a high rate.  Experts contend that much of the growth is due to a rapid increase in the number of persons receiving drug or alcohol abuse related assistance.  In order to more efficiently use state funds for general assistance and to provide more appropriate services, it is suggested that persons who are unemployable due to drug or alcohol addiction be provided direct shelter and treatment services instead of cash assistance.

SUMMARY:

The Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Program is established for those incapacitated due to drug/alcohol addiction.  They will no longer be covered under the General Assistance-Unemployable Program.  The treatment and support program will include assessment, treatment, shelter and assistance in application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and medical care.  The eligibility requirements for the treatment and shelter program are the same as for the General Assistance Program.  The Department of Social and Health Services must provide client assessment services, including diagnostic evaluation, arranging admission to treatment or shelter programs and assisting with SSI applications.  Treatment services include inpatient, recovery house and outpatient services and are limited to six months in any two-year period with allowance for exceptions to the time limit.  The department is required to provide shelter for persons eligible for the treatment and shelter program. 

The counties may establish a diagnostic/detention center to handle the assessment services and use department funds for assessment, detoxification, involuntary detention and involuntary treatment for the purposes of the diagnostic/detention center.

The department is required to adopt by rule medical criteria for General Assistance eligibility and not terminate a recipient absent a material improvement in their medical or mental condition or specific error in the eligibility determination.

The Public Assistance Protective Payee Law is amended to allow a fee set by rule for the administrative costs of serving as a protective payee.  The fee is not to be deducted from a public assistance recipient's grant.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   1

      Senate    44     0(Senate amended)

      House 97   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987