Warnick’s psychiatric beds bill passes

A bill — sponsored by a local legislator — that would allow certain hospitals in Washington to add psychiatric beds without needing a certificate of need passed in the state House of Representatives unanimously during a virtual floor debate Sunday.

Under Senate Bill 5236, the suspension of the certificate of need requirement hospital facilities must acquire before adding more psychiatric beds or constructing a new psychiatric hospital would be extended to June 30, 2023.

Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, is SB 5236’s primary sponsor. The Senate passed the bill Feb. 16 in a 47-0 vote. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, said during the virtual floor debate SB 5236 is a “pretty simple bill,” as it will help extend the period of time certain hospitals would not have to go through the certificate of need process.

“We need those beds,” Schmick said. “If a hospital is willing to put those beds in, we need to help them along the process.”

Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, said during the virtual floor debate the state “has one of the lowest numbers of psychiatric beds in the private sector.”

“We are hoping to be able to serve people more in their community, and this (bill) will help encourage that,” Cody said.

Health care facilities in Washington must acquire a certificate of need from the state Department of Health before constructing or renovating anything at the respective facility, according to the bill’s text.

Currently, the requirement to acquire a certificate of need before increasing the number of psychiatric beds has been suspended until June 30 this year, according to the bill’s text. The bill has an emergency clause and would take effect July 1 this year.

During the Sunday afternoon session, the House also approved these bills:

• SB 5273 (in a 57-40 vote): requires residents who want to replace shoreline armor to use a least impacting and technically feasible alternative.

• SB 5267 (61-36): requires workers to acquire an electrical or telecommunications contractor license.

• HB 1157 (93-4): permits counties and cities to create a real estate excise tax density incentive zone.