[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to providing chemical dependency treatment service to minors upon request; amending RCW 70.96A.010, 70.96A.095, 70.96A.140, 70.96A.145, 70.96A.235, 70.96A.240, 70.96A.905, and 70.96A.915; amending 1991 c 364 s 7 (uncodified); amending 1991 c 364 s 13 (uncodified); and adding a new section to chapter 70.96A RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 70.96A RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the department shall provide services as follows:

(1) For minors who request chemical dependency treatment, according to the needs indicated by the minor's chemical dependency assessment. Determination of appropriate chemical dependency treatment or placement shall consider the minor's chemical dependency treatment needs in light of any existing co-occurring disorders;

(2) Involuntary treatment;

(3) To meet federal program requirements; and

(4) Within available funds, to meet the other duties of the department as defined in this chapter.

Sec. 2. RCW 70.96A.010 and 1989 c 271 s 304 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the policy of this state that ((~~alcoholics and intoxicated~~)) chemically dependent persons may not be subjected to criminal prosecution solely because of their consumption of ((~~alcoholic beverages~~)) alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals but rather should, within available funds, be afforded a continuum of treatment, as prescribed in this chapter, in order that they may lead normal lives as productive members of society. ((~~Within available funds,~~)) Medically necessary treatment ((~~should also~~)) shall be provided ((~~for drug addicts~~)) to minors upon request.

Sec. 3. 1991 c 364 s 7 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that the use of alcohol and illicit drugs continues to be a primary crippler of our youth. This translates into incredible costs to individuals, families, and society in terms of traffic fatalities, suicides, criminal activity including homicides, sexual promiscuity, familial incorrigibility, and conduct disorders, and educational fallout. Among children of all socioeconomic groups lower expectations for the future, low motivation and self-esteem, alienation, and depression are associated with alcohol and drug abuse.

Studies reveal that deaths from alcohol and other drug-related injuries rise sharply through adolescence, peaking in the early twenties. But second peak occurs in later life, where it accounts for three times as many deaths from chronic diseases. A young victim's life expectancy is likely to be reduced by an average of twenty-six years.

Yet the cost of treating alcohol and drug addicts can be recouped in the first three years of abstinence in health care savings alone. Public money spent on treatment saves not only the life of the chemical abuser, it makes us safer as individuals, and in the long-run costs less.

The legislature further finds that many children who abuse alcohol ((~~and~~)) or other ((~~drugs~~)) psychoactive chemicals may not require involuntary treatment, but still are not adequately served. These children remain at risk for future chemical dependency, and may become mentally ill or a juvenile offender or need out-of-home placement. Children placed at risk because of ((~~chemical~~)) abuse of alcohol or other psychoactive chemicals may be better served by the creation of a comprehensive integrated system for children in crisis.

The legislature declares that an emphasis on the treatment of youth will pay the largest dividend in terms of preventable costs to individuals themselves, their families, and to society. The provision of augmented involuntary alcohol treatment services to youths, as well as involuntary treatment for youths addicted by other ((~~drugs~~)) psychoactive chemicals, is in the interest of the public health and safety.

Sec. 4. 1991 c 364 s 13 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

The purpose of sections 7 through 12 ((~~of this act~~)), chapter 364, Laws of 1991 is solely to provide authority for the involuntary commitment of minors addicted by drugs within ((~~available funds and~~)) current programs and facilities. Nothing in sections 7 through 12 ((~~of this act~~)), chapter 364, Laws of 1991 shall be construed to ((~~require the addition of new facilities nor~~)) affect the department's authority for the uses of existing programs and facilities authorized by law. Nothing in sections 7 through 12 ((~~of this act~~)), chapter 364, Laws of 1991 shall prevent a parent or guardian from requesting the involuntary commitment of a minor through a county designated chemical dependency specialist on an ability to pay basis.

Sec. 5. RCW 70.96A.095 and 1998 c 296 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

Any person thirteen years of age or older may give consent for himself or herself to the furnishing of ((~~outpatient~~)) treatment by a chemical dependency treatment program certified by the department. Parental authorization is required for any treatment of a minor under the age of thirteen.

Sec. 6. RCW 70.96A.140 and 1995 c 312 s 49 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 chemical dependency, 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 a petition for commitment is not filed in the case of a minor, the parent, guardian, or custodian who has custody of the minor may seek review of that decision made by the designated chemical dependency specialist in superior or district court. The parent, guardian, or custodian shall file notice with the court and provide a copy of the designated chemical dependency specialist's report.

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 a chemical dependency program is available and deemed appropriate,~~)) The petition shall allege that: The person is chemically dependent and is incapacitated by alcohol or drug addiction, or that the person has twice before in the preceding twelve months been admitted for detoxification or chemical dependency treatment pursuant to RCW 70.96A.110, and is in need of a more sustained treatment program, or that the person is chemically dependent and 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, 71.05.210, or 71.34.050, 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 chemically dependent shall 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 petition for recommitment is not filed in the case of a minor, the parent, guardian, or custodian who has custody of the minor may seek review of that decision made by the designated chemical dependency specialist in superior or district court. The parent, guardian, or custodian shall file notice with the court and provide a copy of the treatment progress report.

If a person has been committed because he or she is chemically dependent and 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 a chemically dependent person committed on the grounds of likelihood of infliction of physical harm upon himself, herself, or another, 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 a chemically dependent person committed on the grounds of the need of treatment and incapacity, 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. 7. RCW 70.96A.145 and 1993 c 137 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The prosecuting attorney of the county in which such action is taken ((~~may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney,~~)) shall represent the designated chemical dependency specialist or treatment program in judicial proceedings under RCW 70.96A.140 for the involuntary commitment or recommitment of an individual, including any judicial proceeding where the individual sought to be committed or recommitted challenges the action. Within the discretion of the secretary, the department may reimburse the prosecuting attorney for costs of representation incurred under this section.

Sec. 8. RCW 70.96A.235 and 1998 c 296 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

Parental consent is not required for inpatient chemical dependency treatment of a minor over the age of thirteen, ((~~unless~~)) or when the child meets the definition of a child in need of services in RCW 13.32A.030((~~(4)(c)~~)) (5)(c) as determined by the department: PROVIDED, That parental consent is required for any treatment of a minor under the age of thirteen.

This section does not apply to petitions filed under this chapter.

Sec. 9. RCW 70.96A.240 and 1998 c 296 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The parent of a minor is not liable for payment of inpatient or outpatient chemical dependency treatment unless the parent has joined in the consent to the treatment.

(2) The ability of a parent to apply to a certified treatment program for the admission of his or her minor child does not create a right to obtain or benefit from any funds or resources of the state. However, the state ((~~may~~)) shall provide appropriate services for indigent minors ((~~to the extent that funds are available therefor~~)).

Sec. 10. RCW 70.96A.905 and 1992 c 205 s 306 are each amended to read as follows:

The department shall ensure that the provisions of this chapter are applied by the counties in a consistent and uniform manner. The department shall also ensure that((~~, to the extent possible within available funds,~~)) the county-designated chemical dependency specialists are specifically trained in adolescent chemical dependency issues, the chemical dependency commitment laws, and the criteria for commitment.

Sec. 11. RCW 70.96A.915 and 1989 c 271 s 309 are each amended to read as follows:

The department is authorized to allocate appropriated funds in the manner that it determines best meets the purposes of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to entitle any ((~~individual~~)) adult to services authorized in this chapter, or to require the department or its contractors to reallocate funds in order to ensure that services are available to any eligible ((~~person~~)) adult upon demand.