New bills come fast and furious at the beginning of the legislative session. Things stay in flux – that is everything is on the table – until *MONDAY* February 15, 2021 which is when a bill must have passed through it’s “chamber of origin” that is either the House or Senate. Until then, you can help raise awareness with all legislators about why these bills are important to our families. Please check to ensure you’ve signed in “pro” on all of these!
4 bills — 4 links to click!
HB 1182 988 Call Centers
Rep Tina Orwall’s bill creates a high tech crisis call center system, mobile rapid response crisis teams and crisis stabilization enhances and expands behavioral health and suicide prevention crisis response services units, short-term respite facilities, peer-operated respite services, and behavioral health urgent care walk-in centers across the state and in collaboration with the tribes.https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1182…
SB 5412 Family Care Act (for Azucena)
Sen. Judy Warnick’s bill facilitates supportive relationships with family and significant individuals within the behavioral health system. The founding principles for this bill were created by members of this group. https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5412…
SHB 1086 State behavioral health ombuds
Rep Tarra Simmons’ bill creates the state office of behavioral health consumer advocacy.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1086…
HB 1444 School counselors
Rep Alicia Rule’s bill provides trauma-informed counseling and supports to students who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and is supported by the Washington State PTA. Governor Inslee cut school counselor funding in 2020 as a knee-jerk pandemic response.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1444…