CPC Responsibility

Companion bills, HSB 655 and SSB 3145, were introduced this week that would require the County CPC to find a placement for persons being committed under section 229. This revives an ongoing rub between the counties and the courts as to where this responsibility lies. The district court judges unilaterally ordered the clerks of court to cease making calls to hospitals several years ago. Magellan, the funder of substance abuse services, provides the clerk of court with a list of placements for section 125 commitments and will provide assistance if there is no bed available. ISAC has taken the position that counties, like the state, will provide a list of placements that can be pursued and will be of assistance if there is nothing available.  Many CPC offices across the state do not have the capacity to accept this additional role and not all commitments are funded by the counties. ISAC has registered in opposition to these two bills.