Bill > SB5481

This bill addresses the critical need for behavioral health services for children in Washington state, particularly in rural areas with limited healthcare access. The legislation requires managed care organizations to reimburse medically necessary behavioral health services provided within schools by licensed clinicians, even if the provider is not within the organization's network. The bill recognizes that many children, especially those from low-income families and on Medicaid, face significant barriers to accessing mental health treatment due to transportation, time, and distance constraints. By enabling behavioral health services directly in schools, the bill aims to reduce stigma, increase service attendance, and provide more comprehensive support for students' mental health. Specifically, managed care organizations must either reimburse out-of-network school-based behavioral health services or provide equivalent in-network services colocated within the school for Medicaid-enrolled students, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that more children receive timely and accessible mental health support.

Health and Social Services, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5481&Year=2025&Initiative=false