WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS IN SUPPORT OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER BILLS

  

Washington County Commissioners have issued their support for legislation calling for residential treatment center reform.

Commissioners approved a resolution at their meeting today (Tuesday) in support of House Bill 1698 and Senate Bill 781, filed respectively by State Representative Ben Leman and Senator Lois Kolkhorst.

The court stated in the resolution that these bills should provide “much needed oversight, community input, and meaningful operational plans” of any residential treatment centers in the future.

These bills aim for tighter licensing restrictions on residential treatment centers, by giving the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) more tools and guidelines for oversight on treatment centers, particularly ones connected to youths.

The legislation would require HHSC to seriously consider “any public comment the commission receives” concerning the licensing of a facility. In addition, a permit could be denied to a facility if it would have a “significant adverse impact” on its community.

Commissioner Joy Fuchs said the facility’s administrators exploited a “loophole” during the licensing process to avoid having to obtain input from the public. She said these bills are trying to make the process “open and transparent” to the public, so it doesn’t “slip through the cracks”.

This resolution follows one passed by commissioners last May, in which they “completely and emphatically opposed the opening, licensing process and operation” of the Bluebonnet Haven Residential Treatment Facility, located on Highway 36 South near the Brenham State Supported Living Center.

Also in court, commissioners renewed an agreement between the county and Personnel Services, for the hiring of temporary employees for this spring’s cleanup events at the collection station.

As per the agreement, the county provides labor, while the city provides the facilities. County Environmental Health Director Mark Marzahn said there will be five temporary employees spread out over the six days of the event, ranging from March 21-23 for city residents and April 25-27 for county residents.