HB 1528: Concerning recovery support services

This act adds amends legislature in order to provide further assistance in regard to recovery support services, and does so by detailing specific changes in various aspects of life, including:

Housing

• Establish the Recovery Residence Program;
• Increase the number of quality recovery residences;
• Increase access to recovery residences for persons recovering from a substance use disorder;
• Establish a program to issue rental vouchers to persons recovering from a substance use disorder to be used at a recovery residence; and

​                -Must also receive a voucher that the person may present in exchange for services.

• Maintain a registry of approved recovery residences.

Employment

• Requires the State Behavioral Health Authority to establish a grant program for licensed or certified service providers that work with persons with a substance use disorder; and
• Establishes that the Authority shall report on the results of the grant program by December 1^st, 2021.

Technological supports

• Amends RCW 71.24.385 to include technology-based recovery supports as being provided by behavioral health organizations; and
• Requires the Authority to establish a pilot project to determine the most effective use of technology-based recovery supports beginning on January 1^st, 2020, and to submit a report to the relevant committees of the legislature by December 1^st, 2021.

Family education

• A new section is added to RCW chapter 71.24 which establishes that the Authority shall contract with organizations to provide free educational programs for the family members of persons with substance use disorders; and
• Establishes that by December 1^st, 2020, the Authority shall report to the relevant committees of the legislature on the results of the contracts and any recommendations for improving the program content and awareness of the program.

Community supports

• A new section is added to RCW chapter 71.24 which establishes that the Authority shall provide grants to organizations to establish nonclinical, nonresidential, community-based programs in which persons with a substance use disorder may seek recovery-focused support through access to peer contact and interaction; and
• To support general operating costs of community-based programs.
• The Authority shall also report to the relevant committees of the legislature on the results of the grant problem by December 1^st, 2020.

College recovery programs

The Student Achievement Council shall establish a grant program to support the establishment of collegiate recovery services to support students in higher education institutions to maintain their recovery from a substance use disorder while attending school.

Amendments:

Updated on 4.12.19:

1st substitute:

• Directed the Health Care Authority (Authority), rather than the Department of Commerce, to maintain a registry of approved recovery residences or to contract with a nationally recognized recovery residence certification organization based in Washington to maintain the registry.
• A recovery residence must be certified by a certification agency that meets specific standards in order to be included in the registry.
• The Authority must contract with the certification organization that operates the registry to establish a technical assistance program for recovery residence operators seeking certification.
• The date by which service providers may only refer clients to registered recovery residences is moved from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2023.
• Directed the Authority to establish a revolving fund for loans to operators of recovery residences seeking certification and registration.
• The loans to be used for facility modifications or operating start-up costs.
• Removed:

1. grant programs related to establishing supported employment programs, community-based programs, and collegiate recovery services;
2.  pilot projects related to the use of technology-based recovery supports and recovery coaching services; and
3. the contracting authority for educational programs for the family members of persons with substance use disorders.

2^nd substitute:

The Appropriations Committee recommended adding language providing that the bill is null and void if funding is not provided in the operating budget by June 30, 2019.

Senate (updated on 4.11.19):

 

Clarifies that the prohibition on discharging a client to an unregistered recovery residence starting on January 1, 2023, does not otherwise limit discharge or referral options available to the client.