Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee
HB 1661
Brief Description: Establishing a pilot project for mobile mental health crisis intervention.
Sponsors: Representatives Maycumber, Springer, Robertson, Chapman, Mosbrucker, Rule, Eslick, Taylor and Paul.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Military Department to establish a competitive grant program to award funding to emergency crisis assistance teams that provide mobile mental health crisis intervention for crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and addiction.
Hearing Date: 2/7/23
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:

A mobile crisis team typically includes a group of trained health professionals who can provide a range of services, such as nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists.  While mobile crisis teams vary depending on the jurisdiction, they generally are not operated by law enforcement agencies.  They may be operated by community mental health organizations, hospitals, or government agencies.  Mobile crisis teams may be included as part of a comprehensive crisis services system or act as a sole model.  Mobile crisis teams may have the ability to administer medication, refer people to addiction treatment, connect people to crisis care, and provide follow-up support.  They may provide on-scene assistance, or they may conduct follow-up with individuals after being called by first responders or a mental health agency.
 
The Military Department, under the direction of the Adjutant General, administers the state's comprehensive program of emergency management.  The Adjutant General is responsible for developing a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan for the state, known as the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, that includes an analysis of natural, technological, or human-caused hazards and procedures to coordinate state and local resources in responding to such hazards.
Summary of Bill:

The Military Department's Emergency Management Division must establish the emergency crisis assistance team pilot project.  The purpose of the project is to create two emergency crisis assistance teams that support community-based public safety and provide mobile mental health crisis intervention for crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and addiction.
 
The Military Department must establish a competitive grant program to award funding for two emergency crisis assistance teams by September 1, 2023.  The Military Department must award two grants, one to an eligible applicant in a city west of the crest of the Cascade mountains and one to an eligible applicant in a city east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.
 
Mental health care service providers are eligible to compete for grant funding.  Grant recipients must use grant funds to establish an emergency crisis assistance team that provides the following mobile mental health crisis intervention programs and services:

  • crisis counseling;
  • suicide prevention, assessment, and intervention;
  • conflict resolution and mediation;
  • grief and loss counseling;
  • substance abuse prevention, assessment, and intervention;
  • housing crisis aid;
  • first aid and nonemergency medical care;
  • resource connection and referrals; and
  • transportation to services.

 
Grant recipients must provide a report to the Military Department on the results of their emergency crisis assistance teams by October 1, 2024.  The Military Department must provide a report on the emergency crisis assistance team pilot project to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2024.  The grant program expires January 1, 2025.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.