Status Summary

First reading, referred to Human Services & Early Learning on 1.28.2020. Public hearing in the House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning on 2.4.2020. Executive session scheduled, but no action taken, in the House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning on 2.5.2020. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Human Services & Early Learning on 2.7.2020; 1st substitute bill passed and referred to Rules 2 Review. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading on 2.12.2020. 1st substitute bill heard and passed unanimously in the House on 2.14.2020. IN THE SENATE: First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care and referred to Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care on 2.18.2020. Public hearing scheduled  in the Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care on 2.21.2020 at 1:30 p.m. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care on 2.27.2020; majority pass. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on 2.28.2020. Placed on second reading consent calendar on 3.2.2020. Rules suspended. Placed and passed on Third Reading on 3.3.2020. IN THE HOUSE: Speaker signed on 3.5.2020. IN THE SENATE: President signed on 3.6.2020. OTHER THAN LEGISLATIVE ACTION. Delivered to Governor on 3.9.2020. (updated 3.13.2020) 

Legislative Session

2020

Status

Passed

Sponsor

Rep. Eslick

Policies related to expanding adolescent behavioral health care access are implemented, as reviewed and recommended by the Children's Mental Health Work Group (CMHWG).

Language is updated from “chemical dependency” to “substance use disorder.”

A definition of "residential treatment facility" is provided (a facility licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW) in which 24 hour on-site care is provide for the evaluation, stabilization, or treatment of minors for substance use disorder, mental disorder, or co-occurring disorders) and is authorized as a  place where an adolescent can receive help.

Residential treatment facilities are added to the programs to which a parent may bring or authorize the bringing of, his or her adolescent child.

Adolescents are able to remain in this treatment as long as it is medically necessary. For adolescents receiving treatment in a Residential Treatment Facility, the physician or other mental health professional shall conduct the review after 45 days of treatment, and every 45 days thereafter while they remain there. 

The bill also directs the Health Care Authority (HCA) to develop and operate a data collection and tracking system for youth receiving family-initiated treatment, and delineates the data elements that must be collected.

Amendments: 

1st Substitute:

  • Expands Family-Initiated Treatment (FIT) to include adolescent treatment in a residential treatment facility.
  • Removes time limits for FIT in a residential treatment facility and instead requires the independent assessment of medical necessity to recur every 30 days while the adolescent is receiving treatment

Requires the HCA to establish a data collection and tracking system for FIT.