The intent of HB1086 is to create the State Office of Behavioral Health Consumer Advocacy that shall advocate for all patients seeking privately and publicly funded behavioral health services, including inpatient services, and assure that patients across Washington state are afforded all of the rights given to them by state and federal laws.
By January 1, 2022, the department shall contract with a private nonprofit organization to provide behavioral health consumer advocacy services.
The office must develop policies and procedures to allow certified behavioral health consumer advocates access to patients, residents, and clients of behavioral health providers, so they can monitor the quality of services.
HB1086 lays out the role of the office, relationship with managed care and other organizations, as well as details about what the office will do, expectations, and other aspects of how it will function.
