H-0365.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1007
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives O'Brien, Heavey, Miller, Dellwo, Winsley, Van Luven, McLean, Brekke and Wilson.
Read first time January 14, 1991. Referred to Committee on Human Services.
AN ACT Relating to children in need of treatment; adding new sections to chapter 13.34 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the treatment of children who use and abuse alcohol and other drugs is of state concern. The legislature recognizes that the first principle is to prevent children from using alcohol and other drugs but failing that, the second principle is to intervene early in the course of the addiction. The legislature further recognizes that the state has a responsibility to assist families of affected youth in obtaining treatment at the earliest possible time. Therefore, the legislature intends to provide a mechanism whereby families may seek assistance from the courts in intervening in their children's addictions.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A parent or legal guardian of a child may petition the superior court to commit a child to a secure community hospital facility for seventy-two hours to evaluate the child for possible substance abuse. In determining whether to grant the petition, the court may consider any evidence that would indicate that the child may have a substance abuse problem, including the child's school attendance patterns and class performance; the relationship with his or her parents, siblings, and others; as well as the parent's or guardian's attempts to control the problem without the intervention of the court.
(2) The parent or guardian shall locate the facility that is willing to accept the child for evaluation.
(3) If the court finds that the child may be abusing alcohol or other drugs, the court shall grant the petition and order that the child be committed to the facility identified by the parent or guardian. However, the court may order that the child be sent to another secure community hospital facility for good cause.
(4) The child shall be evaluated by a professional trained in making substance abuse evaluations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:
If the child's evaluation shows that the child is addicted to alcohol or other drugs, the court may order that the child be committed to an inpatient treatment facility for sixty days. At the end of the sixty days, the court shall review the child's progress.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The governor shall appoint a task force to study treatment methods and programs for children with alcohol and substance abuse problems. The task force shall consist of at least ten members with a representative from each of the following: The department of social and health services, two private providers of alcohol and drug abuse treatment from different behavioral sciences backgrounds, a prosecuting attorney and a defense attorney who handle juvenile cases, a juvenile probation officer, a juvenile court judge, two parents of children who have abused alcohol or drugs, one member of the senate children and family services committee, and one member of the house of representatives judiciary committee.
(2) The task force shall consider at least the following:
(a) The number, ages, and gender of children with substance abuse treatment needs within the state;
(b) The availability of existing treatment and methods for dealing with children with substance abuse problems, both within and outside the family; and
(c) The costs of inpatient and outpatient treatment.
(3) The task force shall report its findings to the legislature not later than December 31, 1991.