S-1032.3          _______________________________________________

 

                            SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5025

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Senate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Craswell, Owen, Bailey, L. Smith, Roach, Stratton and Oke).

 

Read first time February 22, 1991.Providing services for at-risk youth and their families.


     AN ACT Relating to youth and family services; amending RCW 70.96A.020, 70.96A.095, 70.96A.140, 71.05.210, 71.34.030, 71.34.060, 13.32A.065, 13.32A.250, and 74.13.034; adding a new chapter to Title 13 RCW; and making appropriations.

 

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

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.      Evaluation of programs is essential in determining their effectiveness and cost benefit and in obtaining data for improving services.  The department of social and health services shall conduct an evaluation of the family reconciliation services program.  The study shall include the following information:

     (1) A description of services offered in phase I and phase II;

     (2) The number and characteristics of youth and families served in family reconciliation services phase I and phase II and the outcome of services provided to youth and families;

     (3) A description of outreach services including program information provided to referring agencies and the general public;

     (4) The number and type of referrals to family reconciliation services from law enforcement, juvenile courts, schools, and community agencies and their perception of its effectiveness;

     (5) Follow-up contact with a random sample of youth and families receiving family reconciliation services assistance and their perception of the effectiveness of these services;

     (6) The number of youth referred again after services were terminated and outcome of services provided;

     (7) The number of youth and families who requested specific services but who did not receive services because they were not available, including a list of the services requested but not available; and

     (8) Recommendations for improving services to at-risk youth and families.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.      The demand for family reconciliation services continues to increase.  The number of families served by the family reconciliation services program has nearly doubled in the past ten years while the number of staff providing these services has decreased.  The department of social and health services shall expand family reconciliation services to serve an additional one thousand families per year.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.      The behavioral sciences institute homebuilders intensive in-home counseling program has been highly successful in serving at-risk youth and families.  This program shall expand to serve an additional one hundred twenty-six youth and families while preserving program integrity and quality.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.      There is a lack of knowledge of existing laws and services on the part of those agencies and organizations serving at-risk youth and on the part of the general public.  The office of the administrator for the courts is requested to develop a curriculum on at-risk youth for superior court judges and court personnel to be presented at a regularly scheduled educational session.  The department of social and health services is directed to produce a videotape on at-risk youth laws and services for use by law enforcement, family reconciliation services staff, prosecuting and defense attorneys, other agencies and organizations dealing with at-risk youth, and the general public.  The department shall consult with other agencies and organizations providing services to at-risk youth in the production of the videotape.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.      The department of social and health services shall establish an interdivisional at-risk youth committee to plan and coordinate all agency services to this population.  The committee shall report quarterly to the senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee beginning September 1, 1991.  The senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee shall jointly appoint a twelve-member, state-wide, at-risk youth oversight committee to serve in an advisory capacity.  At least two parents, not employed by an organization or agency serving children, shall be appointed to serve on the committee.  Two members of the oversight committee shall be appointed to serve as liaisons to the department's interdivisional at-risk youth committee.  The at-risk youth oversight committee shall have, but is not limited to, the following duties:

     (1) Review existing laws and services for at-risk youth and families to determine their effectiveness;

     (2) Recommend changes and improvements in existing laws or services for at-risk youth and families, emphasizing joint planning efforts, coordination of service delivery, and program evaluation and accountability;

     (3) Recommend new laws and services to help at-risk youth and families, emphasizing joint planning efforts, coordination of service delivery, and program evaluation and accountability;

     (4) Recommend ways to increase professional and public knowledge of at-risk youth laws and services;

     (5) Encourage local communities to establish at-risk youth committees and develop local programs to help at-risk youth; and

     (6) Report annually to the senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee, beginning December 1, 1992.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.      The legislature finds that involuntary treatment of minors with substance abuse problems or mental disorders is sometimes necessary for their protection and well-being.   

 

     Sec. 7.  RCW 70.96A.020 and 1990 c 151 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

     For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (1) "Alcoholic" means a person who suffers from the disease of alcoholism.

     (2) "Alcoholism" means a disease, characterized by a dependency on alcoholic beverages, loss of control over the amount and circumstances of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or psychological withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued, and impairment of health or disruption of social or economic functioning.

     (3) "Approved treatment program" means a discrete program of chemical dependency treatment provided by a treatment program certified by the department of social and health services as meeting standards adopted under this chapter.

     (4) "Chemical dependency" means alcoholism or drug addiction, or dependence on alcohol and one or more other psychoactive chemicals, as the context requires.

     (5) "Chemical dependency program" means expenditures and activities of the department designed and conducted to prevent or treat alcoholism and other drug addiction, including reasonable administration and overhead.

     (6) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

     (7) "Designated chemical dependency specialist" means a person designated by the county alcoholism and other drug addiction program coordinator designated under RCW 70.96A.310 to perform the commitment duties described in RCW 70.96A.140 and qualified to do so by meeting standards adopted by the department.

     (8) "Director" means the person administering the chemical dependency program within the department.

     (9) "Drug addict" means a person who suffers from the disease of drug addiction.

     (10) "Drug addiction" means a disease characterized by a dependency on psychoactive chemicals, loss of control over the amount and circumstances of use, symptoms of tolerance, physiological or psychological withdrawal, or both, if use is reduced or discontinued, and impairment of health or disruption of social or economic functioning.

     (11) "Emergency service patrol" means a patrol established under RCW 70.96A.170.

     (12) "Gravely disabled by alcohol or other drugs" means that a person, as a result of the use of alcohol or other drugs:  (a) Is in danger of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to provide for his or her essential human needs of health or safety; or (b) manifests severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by a repeated and escalating loss of cognition or volitional control over his or her actions and is not receiving care as essential for his or her health or safety.

     (13) "Incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals" means that a person, as a result of the use of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, has his or her judgment so impaired that he or she is incapable of realizing and making a rational decision with respect to his or her need for treatment and constitutes a danger to himself or herself, to any other person, or to property.

     (14) "Incompetent person" means a person who has been adjudged incompetent by the superior court.

     (15) "Intoxicated person" means a person whose mental or physical functioning is substantially impaired as a result of the use of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals.

     (16) "Licensed physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in the state of Washington.

     (17) "Minor" means a person less than eighteen years of age.

     (18) "Peace officer" means a law enforcement official of a public agency or governmental unit, and includes persons specifically given peace officer powers by any state law, local ordinance, or judicial order of appointment.

     (((18))) (19) "Person" means an individual, including a minor.

     (20) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services.

     (((19))) (21) "Treatment" means the broad range of emergency, detoxification, residential, and outpatient services and care, including diagnostic evaluation, chemical dependency education and counseling, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and social service care, vocational rehabilitation and career counseling, which may be extended to alcoholics and other drug addicts and their families, persons incapacitated by alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals, and intoxicated persons.

     (((20))) (22) "Treatment program" means an organization, institution, or corporation, public or private, engaged in the care, treatment, or rehabilitation of alcoholics or other drug addicts.

 

     Sec. 8.  RCW 70.96A.095 and 1989 c 270 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:

     Any person fourteen years of age or older may give consent for himself or herself to the furnishing of counseling, care, treatment, or rehabilitation by a treatment program or by any person.  Consent of the parent, parents, or legal guardian of a person less than eighteen years of age is not necessary to authorize the care, except that the person shall not become a resident of the treatment program without such permission except as provided in RCW 70.96A.120 or 70.96A.140.  The parent, parents, or legal guardian of a person less than eighteen years of age are not liable for payment of care for such persons pursuant to this chapter, unless they have joined in the consent to the counseling, care, treatment, or rehabilitation.  Within existing funds, substance abuse evaluations of the minor shall be conducted and the results of such evaluations shall be made available to the parent or guardian.  The evaluation may be conducted and the results provided to the parent or guardian without the consent of the minor.   

 

     Sec. 9.  RCW 70.96A.140 and 1990 c 151 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) When a designated chemical dependency specialist((,)) receives information alleging that a person is incapacitated as a result of alcoholism, or in the case of a minor incapacitated by alcoholism and/or other drug addiction, the designated chemical dependency specialist, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of the information, may file a petition for commitment of such person with the superior court or district court.  If the designated chemical dependency specialist((,)) finds that the initial needs of such person would be better served by placement within the mental health system, the person shall be referred to an evaluation and treatment facility as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or 71.34.020.  If placement in an alcohol treatment program is available and deemed appropriate, the petition shall allege that:  The person is an alcoholic who is incapacitated by alcohol, or in the case of a minor incapacitated by alcoholism and/or other drug addiction, or that the person has twice before in the preceding twelve months been admitted for detoxification or treatment for alcoholism pursuant to RCW 70.96A.110, or in the case of a minor, detoxification or treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, and is in need of a more sustained treatment program, or that the person is an alcoholic, or in the case of a minor, an alcoholic or other drug addict, who has threatened, attempted, or inflicted physical harm on another and is likely to inflict physical harm on another unless committed.  A refusal to undergo treatment, by itself, does not constitute evidence of lack of judgment as to the need for treatment.  The petition shall be accompanied by a certificate of a licensed physician who has examined the person within five days before submission of the petition, unless the person whose commitment is sought has refused to submit to a medical examination, in which case the fact of refusal shall be alleged in the petition.  The certificate shall set forth the licensed physician's findings in support of the allegations of the petition.  A physician employed by the petitioning program or the department is eligible to be the certifying physician.

     (2) Upon filing the petition, the court shall fix a date for a hearing no less than two and no more than seven days after the date the petition was filed unless the person petitioned against is presently being detained in a program, pursuant to RCW 70.96A.120 ((or)), 71.05.210, or 71.34.050, as now or hereafter amended, in which case the hearing shall be held within seventy-two hours of the filing of the petition:  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the above specified seventy-two hours shall be computed by excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That, the court may, upon motion of the person whose commitment is sought, or upon motion of petitioner with written permission of the person whose commitment is sought, or his or her counsel and, upon good cause shown, extend the date for the hearing.  A copy of the petition and of the notice of the hearing, including the date fixed by the court, shall be served by the designated chemical dependency specialist on the person whose commitment is sought, his or her next of kin, a parent or his or her legal guardian if he or she is a minor, and any other person the court believes advisable.  A copy of the petition and certificate shall be delivered to each person notified.

     (3) At the hearing the court shall hear all relevant testimony, including, if possible, the testimony, which may be telephonic, of at least one licensed physician who has examined the person whose commitment is sought.  Communications otherwise deemed privileged under the laws of this state are deemed to be waived in proceedings under this chapter when a court of competent jurisdiction in its discretion determines that the waiver is necessary to protect either the detained person or the public.  The waiver of a privilege under this section is limited to records or testimony relevant to evaluation of the detained person for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter.  Upon motion by the detained person, or on its own motion, the court shall examine a record or testimony sought by a petitioner to determine whether it is within the scope of the waiver.

     The record maker shall not be required to testify in order to introduce medical, nursing, or psychological records of detained persons so long as the requirements of RCW 5.45.020 are met, except that portions of the record that contain opinions as to whether the detained person is an alcoholic, or in the case of a minor incapacitated by alcoholism and/or other drug addiction, must be deleted from the records unless the person offering the opinions is available for cross-examination.  The person shall be present unless the court believes that his or her presence is likely to be injurious to him or her; in this event the court may deem it appropriate to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent him or her throughout the proceeding.  If deemed advisable, the court may examine the person out of courtroom.  If the person has refused to be examined by a licensed physician, he or she shall be given an opportunity to be examined by a court appointed licensed physician.  If he or she refuses and there is sufficient evidence to believe that the allegations of the petition are true, or if the court believes that more medical evidence is necessary, the court may make a temporary order committing him or her to the department for a period of not more than five days for purposes of a diagnostic examination.

     (4) If after hearing all relevant evidence, including the results of any diagnostic examination, the court finds that grounds for involuntary commitment have been established by clear, cogent, and convincing proof, it shall make an order of commitment to an approved treatment program.  It shall not order commitment of a person unless it determines that an approved treatment program is available and able to provide adequate and appropriate treatment for him or her.

     (5) A person committed under this section shall remain in the program for treatment for a period of sixty days unless sooner discharged.  At the end of the sixty-day period, he or she shall be discharged automatically unless the program, before expiration of the period, files a petition for his or her recommitment upon the grounds set forth in subsection (1) of this section for a further period of ninety days unless sooner discharged.  If a person has been committed because he or she is an alcoholic, or, in the case of a minor, an alcoholic or other drug addict, likely to inflict physical harm on another, the program shall apply for recommitment if after examination it is determined that the likelihood still exists.

     (6) Upon the filing of a petition for recommitment under subsection (5) of this section, the court shall fix a date for hearing no less than two and no more than seven days after the date the petition was filed: PROVIDED, That, the court may, upon motion of the person whose commitment is sought and upon good cause shown, extend the date for the hearing.  A copy of the petition and of the notice of hearing, including the date fixed by the court, shall be served by the treatment program on the person whose commitment is sought, his or her next of kin, the original petitioner under subsection (1) of this section if different from the petitioner for recommitment, one of his or her parents or his or her legal guardian if he or she is a minor, and his or her attorney and any other person the court believes advisable.  At the hearing the court shall proceed as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

     (7) The approved treatment program shall provide for adequate and appropriate treatment of a person committed to its custody.  A person committed under this section may be transferred from one approved public treatment program to another if transfer is medically advisable.

     (8) A person committed to the custody of a program for treatment shall be discharged at any time before the end of the period for which he or she has been committed and he or she shall be discharged by order of the court if either of the following conditions are met:

     (a) In case of an alcoholic committed on the grounds of likelihood of infliction of physical harm upon himself, herself, or another, or, in the case of a minor, an alcoholic or other drug addict, the likelihood no longer exists; or further treatment will not be likely to bring about significant improvement in the person's condition, or treatment is no longer adequate or appropriate.

     (b) In case of an alcoholic committed on the grounds of the need of treatment and incapacity or, in the case of a minor, incapacitated by alcoholism and/or other drug addiction, that the incapacity no longer exists.

     (9) The court shall inform the person whose commitment or recommitment is sought of his or her right to contest the application, be represented by counsel at every stage of any proceedings relating to his or her commitment and recommitment, and have counsel appointed by the court or provided by the court, if he or she wants the assistance of counsel and is unable to obtain counsel.  If the court believes that the person needs the assistance of counsel, the court shall require, by appointment if necessary, counsel for him or her regardless of his or her wishes.  The person shall, if he or she is financially able, bear the costs of such legal service; otherwise such legal service shall be at public expense.  The person whose commitment or recommitment is sought shall be informed of his or her right to be examined by a licensed physician of his or her choice. If the person is unable to obtain a licensed physician and requests examination by a physician, the court shall employ a licensed physician.

     (10) A person committed under this chapter may at any time seek to be discharged from commitment by writ of habeas corpus in a court of competent jurisdiction.

     (11) The venue for proceedings under this section is the county in which person to be committed resides or is present.

     (12) When in the opinion of the professional person in charge of the program providing involuntary treatment under this chapter, the committed patient can be appropriately served by less restrictive treatment before expiration of the period of commitment, then the less restrictive care may be required as a condition for early release for a period which, when added to the initial treatment period, does not exceed the period of commitment.  If the program designated to provide the less restrictive treatment is other than the program providing the initial involuntary treatment, the program so designated must agree in writing to assume such responsibility.  A copy of the conditions for early release shall be given to the patient, the designated chemical dependency specialist of original commitment, and the court of original commitment.  The program designated to provide less restrictive care may modify the conditions for continued release when the modifications are in the best interests of the patient.  If the program providing less restrictive care and the designated chemical dependency specialist determine that a conditionally released patient is failing to adhere to the terms and conditions of his or her release, or that substantial deterioration in the patient's functioning has occurred, then the designated chemical dependency specialist shall notify the court of original commitment and request a hearing to be held no less than two and no more than seven days after the date of the request to determine whether or not the person should be returned to more restrictive care.  The designated chemical dependency specialist shall file a petition with the court stating the facts substantiating the need for the hearing along with the treatment recommendations.  The patient shall have the same rights with respect to notice, hearing, and counsel as for the original involuntary treatment proceedings.  The issues to be determined at the hearing are whether the conditionally released patient did or did not adhere to the terms and conditions of his or her release to less restrictive care or that substantial deterioration of the patient's functioning has occurred and whether the conditions of release should be modified or the person should be returned to a more restrictive program.  The hearing may be waived by the patient and his or her counsel and his or her guardian or conservator, if any, but may not be waived unless all such persons agree to the waiver.  Upon waiver, the person may be returned for involuntary treatment or continued on conditional release on the same or modified conditions.

 

     Sec. 10.  RCW 71.05.210 and 1989 c 120 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

     Each person involuntarily admitted to an evaluation and treatment facility shall, within twenty-four hours of his or her admission, be examined and evaluated by a licensed physician who may be assisted by a physician(('s)) assistant according to chapter 18.71A RCW or a nurse practitioner according to chapter 18.88 RCW and a mental health professional as defined in this chapter, and shall receive such treatment and care as his or her condition requires including treatment on an outpatient basis for the period that he or she is detained, except that, beginning twenty-four hours prior to a court proceeding, the individual may refuse all but emergency life-saving treatment, and the individual shall be informed at an appropriate time of his or her right to such refusal of treatment.  Such person shall be detained up to seventy-two hours, if, in the opinion of the professional person in charge of the facility, or his or her professional designee, the person presents a likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others, or is gravely disabled.  A person who has been detained for seventy-two hours shall no later than the end of such period be released, unless referred for further care on a voluntary basis, or detained pursuant to court order for further treatment as provided in this chapter.

     If, after examination and evaluation, the licensed physician and mental health professional determine that the initial needs of the person would be better served by placement in ((an alcohol)) a chemical dependency treatment facility, then the person shall be referred to an approved treatment ((facility)) program defined under RCW 70.96A.020.

     An evaluation and treatment center admitting any person pursuant to this chapter whose physical condition reveals the need for hospitalization shall assure that such person is transferred to an appropriate hospital for treatment.  Notice of such fact shall be given to the court, the designated attorney, and the designated county mental health professional and the court shall order such continuance in proceedings under this chapter as may be necessary, but in no event may this continuance be more than fourteen days.

 

     Sec. 11.  RCW 71.34.030 and 1985 c 354 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) Any minor thirteen years or older may request and receive outpatient treatment without the consent of the minor's parent.  Parental authorization is required for outpatient treatment of a minor under the age of thirteen.

     (2) When in the judgment of the professional person in charge of an evaluation and treatment facility there is reason to believe that a minor is in need of inpatient treatment because of a mental disorder, and the facility provides the type of evaluation and treatment needed by the minor, and it is not feasible to treat the minor in any less restrictive setting or the minor's home, the minor may be admitted to an evaluation and treatment facility in accordance with the following requirements:

     (a) A minor under thirteen years of age may only be admitted on the application of the minor's parent.

     (b) A minor thirteen years or older may be voluntarily admitted by application of the parent.  Such application must be accompanied by the written consent, knowingly and voluntarily given, of the minor.

     (c) Within existing funds, mental health assessments of the minor shall be conducted upon the request of the minor's parent and the results of such assessments shall be made available to the parent.  The evaluation may be conducted and the results provided to the parents without the consent of the minor.

     (d) A minor thirteen years or older may, with the concurrence of the professional person in charge of an evaluation and treatment facility, admit himself or herself without parental consent to the evaluation and treatment facility, provided that notice is given by the facility to the minor's parent in accordance with the following requirements:

     (i) Notice of the minor's admission shall be in the form most likely to reach the parent within twenty-four hours of the minor's voluntary admission and shall advise the parent that the minor has been admitted to inpatient treatment; the location and telephone number of the facility providing such treatment; and the name of a professional person on the staff of the facility providing treatment who is designated to discuss the minor's need for inpatient treatment with the parent.

     (ii) The minor shall be released to the parent at the parent's request for release unless the facility files a petition with the superior court of the county in which treatment is being provided setting forth the basis for the facility's belief that the minor is in need of inpatient treatment and that release would constitute a threat to the minor's health or safety.

     (iii) The petition shall be signed by the professional person in charge of the facility or that person's designee.

     (iv) The parent may apply to the court for separate counsel to represent the parent if the parent cannot afford counsel.

     (v) There shall be a hearing on the petition, which shall be held within three judicial days from the filing of the petition.

     (vi) The hearing shall be conducted by a judge, court commissioner, or licensed attorney designated by the superior court as a hearing officer for such hearing.  The hearing may be held at the treatment facility.

     (vii) At such hearing, the facility must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing that the minor is in need of inpatient treatment and that release would constitute a threat to the minor's health or safety.  The hearing shall not be conducted using the rules of evidence, and the admission or exclusion of evidence sought to be presented shall be within the exercise of sound discretion by the judicial officer conducting the hearing.

     (((d))) (e) Written renewal of voluntary consent must be obtained from the applicant and the minor thirteen years or older no less than once every twelve months.

     (((e))) (f) The minor's need for continued inpatient treatments shall be reviewed and documented no less than every one hundred eighty days.

     (3) A notice of intent to leave shall result in the following:

     (a) Any minor under the age of thirteen must be discharged immediately upon written request of the parent.

     (b) Any minor thirteen years or older voluntarily admitted may give notice of intent to leave at any time.  The notice need not follow any specific form so long as it is written and the intent of the minor can be discerned.

     (c) The staff member receiving the notice shall date it immediately, record its existence in the minor's clinical record, and send copies of it to the minor's attorney, if any, the county-designated mental health professional, and the parent.

     (d) The professional person in charge of the evaluation and treatment facility shall discharge the minor, thirteen years or older, from the facility within twenty-four hours after receipt of the minor's notice of intent to leave, unless the county-designated mental health professional files a petition for initial detention within the time prescribed by this chapter.

 

     Sec. 12.  RCW 71.34.060 and 1985 c 354 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) Each minor approved by the facility for inpatient admission shall be examined and evaluated by a children's mental health specialist as to the child's mental condition and by a physician as to the child's physical condition within twenty-four hours of admission.  Reasonable measures shall be taken to ensure medical treatment is provided for any condition requiring immediate medical attention.

     (2) If, after examination and evaluation, the children's mental health specialist and the physician determine that the initial needs of the minor would be better served by placement in a chemical dependency treatment facility, then the minor shall be referred to an approved treatment program defined under RCW 70.96A.020.

     (3) The admitting facility shall take reasonable steps to notify immediately the minor's parent of the admission.

     (((3))) (4) During the initial seventy-two hour treatment period, the minor has a right to associate or receive communications from parents or others unless the professional person in charge determines that such communication would be seriously detrimental to the minor's condition or treatment and so indicates in the minor's clinical record, and notifies the minor's parents of this determination.  In no event may the minor be denied the opportunity to consult an attorney.

     (((4))) (5) If the evaluation and treatment facility admits the minor, it may detain the minor for evaluation and treatment for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours from the time of provisional acceptance.  The computation of such seventy-two hour period shall exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  This initial treatment period shall not exceed seventy-two hours except when an application for voluntary inpatient treatment is received or a petition for fourteen-day commitment is filed.

     (((5))) (6) Within twelve hours of the admission, the facility shall advise the minor of his or her rights as set forth in this chapter.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13.     Involuntary commitment in residential treatment facilities for chemically dependent youth is nonexistent.  The department of social and health services, within existing funds, shall designate twenty-five residential beds located state-wide by need for involuntary commitment of substance-abusing youth.  The department shall develop treatment protocols for the voluntary and involuntary treatment of substance-abusing youth.  The department shall report annually to the senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee on the number of youth, including at-risk youth, served in substance abuse programs, both voluntary and involuntary; the treatment protocols used; and the effectiveness of voluntary and involuntary treatment.  Computerized tracking of youth shall be used to provide longitudinal information.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14.     The department of social and health services does not track youth in crisis residential centers.  The department of social and health services shall incorporate the following data into the existing computerized children's services tracking system for each youth placed in a crisis residential center:  (1) The reason for placement; (2) the length of time the youth stays in the crisis residential center; (3) if the youth runs from the crisis residential center; (4) the placement of the youth upon discharge; (5) the availability of services needed to reconcile the youth with his or her family; and (6) the progress the department is making towards using crisis residential center beds for the purpose set forth in law.  The department shall report this information semiannually to the senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15.     There is established a continuum of services pilot project for youth in one region as designated by the department of social and health services.  It will be the responsibility of the department, in collaboration with local elected officials, service providers, parents, and other interested citizens, to assess the existing continuum within the community and develop the pilot project to best fill the service gaps for at-risk youth.  The department shall contract with service providers to the greatest extent possible.  While meeting service needs is the highest priority, the following guidelines shall be used in developing new resources:  (1) Family reconciliation services, both phase I and phase II, and behavioral sciences institute homebuilders services must be available and utilized appropriately; (2) family crisis residential center placements may be increased by no more than eight beds based on need and shall be used solely for the placement of youth referred to in chapter 13.32A RCW; (3) group home and residential care placements may be increased by no more than six beds based on need.  Furthermore, group home and residential care treatment shall be family-focused with a continuum of services offered based on need and documentation of services offered prior to an out-of-home placement.  At least two beds on a region-wide basis shall be designed and used for secure lock-up for youth who will not stay in placement on a voluntary basis.  Secure lock-up may be used in lieu of detention, but only pursuant to RCW 13.32A.250(4), 13.32A.065, and 74.13.034; (4) aftercare for youth coming out of crisis residential centers may be provided for a maximum of fifty youth as referred to in chapter 13.32A RCW and for a maximum of twenty youth coming out of group home or residential care placement; (5) the department of social and health services shall develop a tracking system for each youth in the region who receives family reconciliation services, or who is placed in a crisis residential center or in a group home or residential care to determine if services offered were appropriate and effective; and in cases where an out-of-home placement was made, if reasonable efforts were made to keep the child in the home and if the placement was necessary and appropriate, if all requirements listed in this section were followed, and the placement upon discharge; and (6) the department shall conduct an evaluation of the entire pilot project and submit a report to the senate children and family services committee and the house of representatives human services committee on December 1, 1992.

 

     Sec. 16.  RCW 13.32A.065 and 1981 c 298 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) A child may be placed in detention, or in a secure lock-up facility, operated by the department under a pilot project established pursuant to section 15 of this act, after being taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.32A.050(4).  The court shall hold a detention review hearing within twenty-four hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  The court shall release the child after twenty-four hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, unless:

     (a) A motion and order to show why the child should not be held in contempt has been filed and served on the child at or before the detention hearing; and

     (b) The court believes that the child would not appear at a hearing on contempt.

     (2) If the court orders the child to remain in detention, the court shall set the matter for a hearing on contempt within seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

 

     Sec. 17.  RCW 13.32A.250 and 1990 c 276 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) In all alternative residential placement proceedings and at-risk youth proceedings, the court shall verbally notify the parents and the child of the possibility of a finding of contempt for failure to comply with the terms of a court order entered pursuant to this chapter.  The court shall treat the parents and the child equally for the purposes of applying contempt of court processes and penalties under this section.

     (2) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW, subject to the limitations of subsection (((2))) (3) of this section.

     (3) The court may impose a fine of up to one hundred dollars and imprisonment for up to seven days, or both for contempt of court under this section.

     (4) A child imprisoned for contempt under this section shall be imprisoned only in a secure juvenile detention facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with a county or a secure lock-up facility operated by the department established pursuant to section 15 of this act.

     (5) A motion for contempt may be made by a parent, a child, juvenile court personnel, or by any public agency, organization, or person having custody of the child under a court order adopted pursuant to this chapter.

 

     Sec. 18.  RCW 74.13.034 and 1981 c 298 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) A child taken into custody and taken to a crisis residential center established pursuant to RCW 74.13.032(2) may, if the center is unable to provide appropriate treatment, supervision, and structure to the child, be taken at department expense to another crisis residential center or the nearest regional crisis residential center.  Placement in both centers shall not exceed seventy-two hours from the point of intake as provided in RCW 13.32A.130.

     (2) A child taken into custody and taken to a crisis residential center established by this chapter may be placed physically by the department or the department's designee and, at departmental expense and approval, in a secure juvenile detention facility operated by the county in which the center is located for a maximum of forty-eight hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, if ((the person in charge of the crisis residential center finds that the child is seriously assaultive or seriously destructive towards others and the center is unable to provide appropriate supervision and structure.  Any child who takes unauthorized leave from the center, if)) the child has taken unauthorized leave from the center and the person in charge of the center determines that the center cannot provide supervision and structure adequate to ensure that the child will not again take unauthorized leave((, may be taken to a secure juvenile detention facility subject to the provisions of this section:  PROVIDED, That)).  Juveniles placed in such a facility pursuant to this section may not, to the extent possible, come in contact with alleged or convicted juvenile or adult offenders.

     (3) Any child placed in secure detention pursuant to this section shall, during the period of confinement, be provided with appropriate treatment by the department or the department's designee, which shall include the services defined in RCW 74.13.033(2).  If the child placed in secure detention is not returned home or if an alternative living arrangement agreeable to the parent and the child is not made within twenty-four hours after the child's admission, the child shall be taken at the department's expense to a crisis residential center.  Placement in the crisis residential center or centers plus placement in juvenile detention shall not exceed seventy-two hours from the point of intake as provided in RCW 13.32A.130.

     (4) Juvenile detention facilities used pursuant to this section shall first be certified by the department to ensure that juveniles placed in the facility pursuant to this section are provided with living conditions suitable to the well-being of the child. Where space is available, juvenile courts, when certified by the department to do so, shall provide secure placement for juveniles pursuant to this section, at department expense.

     (5) It is the intent of the legislature that by July 1, 1982, crisis residential centers, supplemented by community mental health programs and mental health professionals, will be able to respond appropriately to children admitted to centers under this chapter and will be able to respond to the needs of such children with appropriate treatment, supervision, and structure.

     (6) Subject to the provisions of this section, a child may be placed, in lieu of detention, in a secure lock-up facility operated by the department under a pilot project established pursuant to section 15 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19.     Sections 1 through 6 and 13 through 15 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 13 RCW.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 20.     The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, solely for costs associated with an evaluation of the family reconciliation services program, as required by section 1 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 21.     The sum of one million four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, solely for expansion of phase I and phase II family reconciliation services, as required by section of 2 this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 22.     The sum of four hundred twenty‑seven thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, solely for expansion of the behavioral sciences institute homebuilders program to serve an additional one hundred twenty-six youth and families, as required by section 3 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 23.     The sum of ten thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, solely for producing a videotape and copies dealing with at-risk youth laws and services, as required by section 4 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 24.     The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, solely for carrying out the purposes of section 15 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 25.     The sum of three hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund, to the department of social and health services solely for additional petition and hearing costs required by this act.