BILL REQ. #:  S-4619.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to providing notice of release from involuntary treatment; and adding a new section to chapter 71.05 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 71.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever a person who is the subject of an involuntary commitment order under this chapter is discharged from an evaluation and treatment facility or state hospital, the evaluation and treatment facility or state hospital shall provide notice of the person's discharge to the designated mental health professional office responsible for the initial commitment and the designated mental health professional office that serves the county in which the person is expected to reside. The evaluation and treatment facility or state hospital must also provide these offices with a copy of any less restrictive order or conditional release order entered in conjunction with the discharge of the person, unless the evaluation and treatment facility or state hospital has entered into a memorandum of understanding obligating another entity to provide these documents.
     (2) The notice and documents referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be provided as soon as possible and no later than one business day following the discharge of the person. Notice is not required under this section if the discharge is for the purpose of transferring the person for continued detention and treatment under this chapter at another treatment facility.
     (3) The department shall maintain and make available an updated list of contact information for designated mental health professional offices around the state.