The legislature finds that there is a state of opioid crisis in the South Sound region, and intends to create a pilot project that establishes an enhanced 211 drug line to provide easy public access to referral for opioid and other drug crisis services.
A new section is therefore added to RCW chapter 43.211 to include:
§ That the pilot project shall start on August 1st, 2019 and end on July 1st, 2021;
§ That the purpose of the pilot project is to provide residents of Lewis, Pierce, and Thurston counties with easy public access, available 24/7, through 211 telephone service for referral for opioid and other drug crisis services; and
§ That the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) shall provide oversight and administrative support for the project.
In regard to funding, the sum of $300,000 dollars shall be appropriated for the fiscal biennium ending June 30th, 2021, from the general fund to the DSHS for the purposes of this act.
Finally, the DSHS, in collaboration with WIN 211, must submit a report by December 1st, 2020, regarding the pilot project to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature and must include a recommendation on whether the project should be continued, expanded, or discontinued.
