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Appropriations committee adopts amendment to fund counties holding forensic patients and advances Senate File 10
Summary
Senate File 10, which enables the Department of Health to reimburse counties for housing forensic detainees awaiting state hospital care, was advanced after Representative Sherwood's amendment added $5 million general funds for the biennium with a dollar‑for‑dollar offset if the budget later covers the cost.
The House Appropriations Committee approved Senate File 10, a bill prompted by sheriffs’ concerns that county jails are detaining people ordered for forensic evaluation while awaiting placement at the state hospital.
Chairman Washert (presenting the issue to the committee) described letters from sheriffs reporting extended stays in county jails at county expense while individuals waited for forensic evaluation and admission to the state hospital. The bill would enable the Department of Health to contract with counties for reimbursement in those circumstances, modeled in part on the Department of Corrections’ approach to prisoner transfer reimbursements.
Department of Health Director Stefan Johansen described the bill as a collaborative product with local law enforcement. He confirmed that a corresponding appropriation currently appears as a footnote (footnote #7 in section 048) in the House version of the budget but not in the Senate budget; he recommended a like amount be added or referenced by footnote to ensure funding authority for the reimbursements. Johansen said the Department has used reimbursement authorities in other statutory contexts (Title 25 civil commitments) and already pays for forensic evaluators; projected biennial Title 25 expenses were cited at approximately $6,000,000.
Representative Sherwood offered an amendment to add $5,000,000 of general funds for the biennium (the amount the Department of Health requested in its standard budget) and to reduce this appropriation dollar‑for‑dollar if the funding appears in the budget bill; the amendment was seconded and adopted by the committee. The committee then adopted the bill as amended on a roll‑call vote.
Why it matters: Multiple county commissioners and sheriffs provided testimony that long waits impose operational and financial strain on local detention centers and can worsen detainees’ mental health. Supporters said a reimbursement mechanism backed by an appropriation creates immediate relief and an incentive to collaborate on programming that can stabilize clients and reduce county burdens.
Committee action and next step: Representative Sherwood’s amendment to add $5 million was adopted; the committee reported Senate File 10 engrossed do pass as amended on a roll‑call vote (7 Aye). The bill will move forward to the floor.
Provenance: Discussion introducing Senate File 10 and testimony began at SEG 1218 and the committee adopted the Sherwood amendment and recorded the roll call at SEG 1531–SEG 1566.
