2672 AMS JUD S4387.1

HB 2672 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Judiciary

                                                  ADOPTED 03/02/02

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 71.24 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) A licensed service provider or regional support network, acting in the course of the provider's or network's duties under this chapter, is not liable for civil damages resulting from the injury or death of another caused by a dangerous mentally ill offender who is a client of the provider or network, unless the act or omission of the provider or network constitutes:

    (a) Gross negligence;

    (b) Willful or wanton misconduct; or

    (c) A breach of the duty to warn of and protect from a client's threatened violent behavior if the client has communicated a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably ascertainable victim or victims.

    (2) In addition to any other requirements to report violations, the licensed service provider and regional support network shall report an offender's expressions of intent to harm or other predatory behavior, regardless of whether there is an ascertainable victim, in progress reports and other established processes that enable courts and supervising entities to assess and address the progress and appropriateness of treatment.

    (3) A licensed service provider's or regional support network's mere act of treating a dangerous mentally ill offender is not negligence.  Nothing in this subsection alters the licensed service provider's or regional support network's normal duty of care with regard to the client.

    (4) The limited liability provided by this section applies only to the conduct of licensed service providers and regional support networks and does not apply to conduct of the state.

    (5) For purposes of this section, "dangerous mentally ill offender" means a person who has been identified under RCW 72.09.370 as an offender who:  (a) Is reasonably believed to be dangerous to himself or herself or others; and (b) has a mental disorder."

HB 2672 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Judiciary

                                                  ADOPTED 03/02/02

    On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "offenders;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW."

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