Less restrictive alternative (LRA) support and conditional release behavioral health services are provided to individuals on a less restrictive alternative court order or conditional release. An agency agrees to provide or monitor the provision of court-ordered services, including psychiatric, substance use disorder treatment, and medical components of community support services. In addition to meeting the behavioral health agency licensure, certification, administration, personnel, and clinical requirements in WAC 246-341-0300 through 246-341-0650, an agency providing court-ordered LRA support and conditional release services must do all of the following:

(1) Have a written policy and procedure that allows for the referral of an individual to an involuntary treatment facility twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

(2) Have a written policy and procedure for an individual who requires involuntary detention that includes procedures for:

(a) Contacting the designated crisis responder (DCR) regarding revocations or extension of an LRA or conditional release; and

(b) The transportation of an individual, in a safe and timely manner, for the purpose of:

(i) Evaluation; or

(ii) Evaluation and detention.

(3) Ensure a committed individual is advised of their rights under chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW, as applicable, and that the individual has the right:

(a) To receive adequate care and individualized treatment;

(b) To make an informed decision regarding the use of antipsychotic medication and to refuse medication beginning twenty-four hours before any court proceeding that the individual has the right to attend;

(c) To maintain the right to be presumed competent and not lose any civil rights as a consequence of receiving evaluation and treatment for a mental health disorder or substance use disorder;

(d) Of access to attorneys, courts, and other legal redress;

(e) To be told statements the individual makes may be used in the involuntary proceedings; and

(f) To have all information and records compiled, obtained, or maintained in the course of treatment kept confidential as described in chapters 70.02, 71.05, and 71.34 RCW.

(4) Include in the clinical record a copy of the less restrictive alternative court order or conditional release and a copy of any subsequent modification.

(5) Ensure the development and implementation of an individual service plan which addresses the conditions of the less restrictive alternative court order or conditional release and a plan for transition to voluntary treatment.

(6) Ensure that the individual receives psychiatric medication services or medication assisted treatment for the assessment and prescription of psychotropic medications or substance use disorder treatment medications, appropriate to the needs of the individual as follows:

(a) At least one time in the initial fourteen days following release from inpatient treatment for an individual on a ninety-day or one hundred eighty-day less restrictive alternative court order or conditional release, unless the individual's attending physician, physician assistant, or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) determines another schedule is more appropriate and documents the new schedule and the reason(s) in the individual's clinical record; and

(b) At least one time every thirty days for the duration of the less restrictive alternative court order or conditional release, unless the individual's attending physician or psychiatric ARNP determines another schedule is more appropriate and documents the new schedule and the reason(s) in the individual's clinical record.

(7) Keep a record of the periodic evaluation by a mental health professional for a mental health disorder or a chemical dependency professional for substance use disorder treatment, of each committed individual for release from, or continuation of, an involuntary treatment order. Evaluations must occur at least every thirty days for the duration of the commitments and include documentation of assessment and rationale:

(a) For requesting a petition for an additional period of less restrictive or conditional release treatment under an involuntary treatment order; or

(b) Allowing the less restrictive court order or conditional release expire without an extension request.