HB 2892 - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Requires the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs to: (1) Develop and implement a mental health field response grant program to assist local law enforcement agencies to establish and expand mental health field response capabilities, using mental health professionals to respond to crises involving persons with behavioral health issues with treatment, diversion, and reduced incarceration time as primary goals;

(2) Consult with the department of social and health services research and data analysis unit to establish data collection and reporting guidelines for grant recipients;

(3) Consult with the department of social and health services behavioral health administration and the managed care system to develop requirements for participating mental health professionals; and

(4) Coordinate with public safety answering points, behavioral health, and the department of social and health services to develop and incorporate telephone triage criteria or dispatch protocols to assist with mental health, law enforcement, and emergency medical responses involving mental health situations.