SB 5214-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that, upon the arrest of a person at least twelve years of age and not more than twenty-one years of age for violations of this act, the person shall be detained or confined in a juvenile or adult facility for up to seventy-two hours.  The person shall not be released within the seventy-two hours until after the person has been examined and evaluated by the county-designated mental health professional unless the court in its discretion releases the person sooner after a determination regarding probable cause or on probation bond or bail.

     Provides that, within twenty-four hours of the arrest, the arresting law enforcement agency shall refer the person to the county-designated mental health professional for examination and evaluation under chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW and inform a parent or guardian of the person of the arrest, detention, and examination.  The county-designated mental health professional shall examine and evaluate the person subject to the provisions of chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW.

     Authorizes the county-designated mental health professional to determine whether to refer the person to the county-designated chemical dependency specialist for examination and evaluation in accordance with chapter 70.96A RCW.  The county-designated chemical dependency specialist shall examine the person subject to the provisions of chapter 70.96A RCW.

     Provides that, upon completion of any examination by the county-designated mental health professional or the county-designated chemical dependency specialist, the results of the examination shall be sent to the court, and the court shall consider those results in making any determination about the person.

     Provides that, if the county-designated mental health professional determines it is appropriate, the county-designated mental health professional may refer the person to the local regional support network for follow-up services or the department of social and health services or other community providers for other services to the family and individual.

     Provides that a school principal, vice principal, or principal's designee may search a student, the student's possessions, and the student's locker, if the principal, vice principal, or principal's designee has reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will yield evidence of the student's violation of the law or school rules.  A search is mandatory if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a student has illegally possessed a firearm in violation of RCW 9.41.280.

     Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.