S-0204.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5048

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Long, Hargrove, Winsley and Costa

Read first time 01/09/2001.  Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

Changing provisions relating to less restrictive alternative commitments.

    AN ACT Relating to less restrictive alternative mental health commitments; and amending RCW 71.05.285.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 71.05.285 and 1997 c 112 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

    ((For the purposes of continued)) In determining whether an inpatient or less restrictive alternative commitment under the process provided in RCW 71.05.280 and 71.05.320(2) is appropriate, ((in determining whether or not the person is gravely disabled,)) great weight shall be given to evidence of a prior history or pattern of decompensation and discontinuation of treatment resulting in:  (1) Repeated hospitalizations; or (2) repeated peace officer interventions resulting in juvenile offenses, criminal charges, diversion programs, or jail admissions.  Such evidence may be used to provide a factual basis for concluding that the individual would not receive, if released, such care as is essential for his or her health or safety.

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