Each agency licensed by the department to provide any behavioral health service is responsible for an individual's assessment.

(1) The assessment must be:

(a) Conducted in person; and

(b) Completed by a professional appropriately credentialed or qualified to provide one or more of the following services as determined by state and federal law: Substance use disorder, mental health, and problem and pathological gambling.

(2) The assessment must document that the clinician conducted an age-appropriate, strengths-based psychosocial assessment that considered current needs and the patient's relevant history according to best practices. Such information may include, if applicable:

(a) Identifying information;

(b) Presenting issues;

(c) Medical provider's name or medical providers' names;

(d) Medical concerns;

(e) Medications currently taken;

(f) Mental health history;

(g) Substance use history, including tobacco;

(h) Problem and pathological gambling history;

(i) An assessment of any risk of harm to self and others, including suicide, homicide, and a history of self-harm;

(j) A referral for provision of emergency/crisis services must be made if indicated in the risk assessment;

(k) Legal history, including information that a person is or is not court-ordered to treatment or under the supervision of the department of corrections;

(l) Employment and housing status;

(m) Treatment recommendations or recommendations for additional program-specific assessment; and

(n) A diagnostic assessment statement, including sufficient data to determine a diagnosis supported by the current and applicable Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

(3) Agencies providing substance use disorder services must ensure the assessment includes:

(a) A statement regarding the provision of an HIV/AIDS brief risk intervention, and any referral made; and

(b) A placement decision, using ASAM criteria dimensions when the assessment indicates the individual is in need of substance use disorder services.

(4) Behavioral health agencies can apply for an exemption from the assessment requirements in this section if the agency is following similar documentation requirements of an evidence-based, research-based, or state-mandated program that provides adequate protection for patient safety. See WAC 246-341-0300 for information about the exemption process.