Section 72.07.070. Finding—Bed reduction—Progress report.

(1) The legislature finds that there are currently patients with long-term care needs at western state hospital who are ready for discharge and could safely be served in community settings if alternative placements are made available.

(2) The department of social and health services must identify discharge and diversion opportunities for patients needing long-term care to reduce the demand for thirty beds currently being used for this population. A twenty bed reduction must be realized by July 1, 2016, with a utilization reduction of ten additional beds by January 1, 2017. The resources being used to serve these beds must be reinvested within the state hospital budget in order to achieve patient and staff safety improvement goals.

(3) The department of social and health services must provide a progress report to the governor and relevant committees of the legislature by December 1, 2016, and a final report by August 1, 2017, describing outcomes for these patients through June 30, 2017.

[ 2016 1st sp.s. c 37 § 11.]

2016 1st sp.s. c 37 § 11.