Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Health Care

HB 1318

Brief Description:  Providing for involuntary outpatient psychiatric treatment.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cody, Ballasiotes, Schual‑Berke, Campbell, Tokuda, Kagi, Edmonds, Keiser, Santos, Edwards, Veloria and McIntire.

Brief Summary of Bill

$An outpatient commitment process is established using a lower standard than is currently in place for inpatient commitments.

Hearing Date:  2/6/01

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background: 

When a person, as a result of a mental disorder, presents a likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled, they may be involuntarily detained.  They may be detained initially, for not more than seventy two hours in an evaluation and treatment facility.  Following the initial seventy two hour detention, the individual may be detained for an fourteen days of involuntary intensive treatment, or ninety additional days of a less restrictive alternative to additional involuntary intensive treatment. Outpatient care may be ordered as part of a conditional release for involuntary inpatient commitment.  If a person does not meet the legal standard of presenting a likelihood of serious harm or being gravely disabled, they cannot be involuntarily detained and treated.

Summary of Bill: 

A person may be placed in outpatient commitment if they suffer from a severe mental disorder, have had more than two involuntary inpatient or outpatient detentions in the past two years, based on treatment history and current behavior, needs treatment to prevent a relapse, is unable to make an informed decision to seek or comply with recommended treatment.  The court may order an individual to outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed one year.  A psychiatric review board is established in each regional support network.  The review board will monitor the implementation of the outpatient commitment process.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.