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Advocacy


Published on Jan 27, 2019

Legislators introduce Governor’s behavioral health bills

Contact: Sharon Swanson, Brandon Anderson

Several behavioral health bills requested by the Governor were recently introduced to help Washington’s communities address the state’s behavioral health and opioid crises.

SB 5432 was heard on Friday, January 25 in the Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee. This bill continues the Legislature’s work to fully implement behavioral health integration in our state by establishing managed care and behavioral health organizations to coordinate community behavioral health systems. This bill is a key behavioral health priority for the Governor’s Office. AWC supports this legislation.

HB 1394 establishes intensive behavioral health treatment facilities and mental health drop-in centers to help address the need for increased access to behavioral health care in Washington’s communities. This bill recognizes that community placement requires multiple housing and treatment options. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29 in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee at 1:30 pm.

HB 1331 declares that opioid use in Washington State is a public health crisis and requires state agencies to increase access to opioid treatment services. It also strengthens the state’s commitment to preventative services including an expansion of the state prescription drug monitoring program. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 29 in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee at 1:30 pm.

SB 5444, heard Friday, January 25 in the Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee, aims to address the Trueblood litigation where the state was found liable for imposing excessive wait times on in-custody defendants waiting to receive competency evaluations and restoration services. SB 5444:

  • Establishes forensic navigators to aide with treatment and competency restoration;
  • Expands police authority to divert an individual to treatment instead of criminal prosecution; and
  • Restricts nonfelony competency restorations.

 

Dates to remember


HB 1394 and HB 1331 are scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, January 29 in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee at 1:30 pm.

  • Homelessness
  • Advocacy

 

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