(1) By July 30, 2007, the department shall designate a staff person who shall be responsible for the following:

     (a) Coordinating policies, programs, and services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and

     (b) Providing staff support to the council created in RCW 74.31.020.

     (2) The department shall provide data and information to the council established under RCW 74.31.020 that is requested by the council and is in the possession or control of the department.

     (3) By December 1, 2007, the department shall provide a preliminary report to the legislature and the governor, and shall provide a final report by December 1, 2008, containing recommendations for a comprehensive statewide plan to address the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injuries, including the use of public-private partnerships and a public awareness campaign. The comprehensive plan should be created in collaboration with the council and should consider the following:

     (a) Building provider capacity and provider training;

     (b) Improving the coordination of services;

     (c) The feasibility of establishing agreements with private sector agencies to develop services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and

     (d) Other areas the council deems appropriate.

     (4) By December 1, 2007, the department shall:

     (a) Provide information and referral services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries until the statewide referral and information network is developed. The referral services may be funded from the traumatic brain injury account established under RCW 74.31.060; and

     (b) Encourage and facilitate the following:

     (i) Collaboration among state agencies that provide services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries;

     (ii) Collaboration among organizations and entities that provide services to individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and

     (iii) Community participation in program implementation.

     (5) By December 1, 2007, and by December 1st each year thereafter, the department shall issue a report to the governor and the legislature containing the following:

     (a) A summary of action taken by the department to meet the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and

     (b) Recommendations for improvements in services to address the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

[2007 c 356 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Short title -- 2007 c 356: See note following RCW 74.31.005.