9:06:32 AM CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 100(STA) "An Act relating to substance abuse and mental health disorder prevention and treatment programs; and relating to long-term secure treatment programs for persons with substance abuse or co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders." This was the second hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. 9:06:37 AM Co-Chair Stedman announced intent to report this bill from Committee. He noted receipt of a revised fiscal note to replace the two previous fiscal notes. The new fiscal note indicates the cost to implement this legislation would be zero. 9:07:35 AM SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, Sponsor of the bill, testified that the Senate State Affairs Committee substitute of this bill retains the "non-controversial" provisions of the original bill. He listed these as treatment priority for pregnant women, non- discrimination against faith-based oriented treatment programs and public facilities, provided they meet the same criteria as qualifying secular programs, and requirement of research-based and evidence-based programming for substance abuse treatment. The latter provision is intended to ensure that effective programs were funded, and represents a national trend. These provisions would update or provide "fine tuning" of the State's statutes governing substance abuse treatment. 9:08:38 AM Senator Ellis told of the provision contained in the original version of the bill and deleted from the committee substitute pertaining to utilization of the current involuntary commitment statute for "secure detox beds". This provision would have allowed for a pilot project of ten to 12 beds providing detoxification treatment in a secure facility. Senator Ellis informed that he would convene a meeting of "stakeholders" including the Executive Branch and "other potential funders, to attempt to create a "longer term project". He relayed interest expressed by Senate Finance Committee members to create an expanded rural program located in additional communities. 9:09:32 AM Co-Chair Stedman reiterated that the revised fiscal note is in the amount of zero. 9:09:40 AM Senator Olson asked the timeframe in which a pilot program would be instituted. Senator Ellis indicated intent that funding for the program would be included in the FY 09 operating budget to be considered in the next legislative session. The delay is a disappointment to advocates, many who argue such a program should have been implemented "years ago". The program would be directed to intervene in situations involving the most "dangerous substance abusers" and those incurring the highest cost to government and organizations. 9:10:57 AM Senator Huggins offered a motion to report the bill from Committee with individual recommendations and new fiscal note. There was no objection and CS SB 100(STA), was REPORTED from Committee with a new zero fiscal note dated 4/17/07 from the Department of Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Administration.