Sponsored by Sen. Carrell, SSSB 5732 directs the legislature to convene a task force to examine reform of the adult behavioral health system. DSHS and the Health Care Authority must implement a strategy for the improvement of the adult behavioral health system, which must assess the capacity of the current publicly funded system to provide evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices; identify and increase the use of such practices; design and implement a transparent quality management system; and identify services delivery and financing mechanisms to improve the system. In addition, WSIPP will prepare an inventory of such practices for DSHS to use. DSHS will also work with the Health Care Authority to develop a plan for a tribal-centric behavioral health system.
Further, SSSB 5732 states that when an individual who was involuntarily committed for 90 or 180 days no longer needs active psychiatric treatment, the regional support network responsible for resource management services for the person must work together with the hospital to develop an individualized discharge plan within 21 days of that determination. Definitions of “research-based,” “evidence-based,” and “emerging” and “promising” practices are provided.
House floor amendment: Removes the requirement that the strategy include ways to incentivize medical care, behavioral health, and long-term care systems to collaborate. Establishes a steering committee to assist DSHS in developing the strategy. Adds other entities for the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to consult when preparing the inventory of evidence-based practices, including the University of Washington Evidence-Based Practice Institute, the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, and the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training. Requires DSHS to contract with a consultant for a review of the provision of forensic mental health services. Authorizes applicants for registration as agency-affiliated counselors to work for sixty days while their applications are being processed by the Department of Health. Delays the start of the task force until May 1, 2014. Delays the task force report until January 1, 2015.
