S-1482

AN ACT Relating to sex offender treatment providers; reenacting and amending RCW 18.155.020 and 18.155.030; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 71.09 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the state needs an increasing number of certified sex offender treatment providers to treat sexually violent predators and meet the state's commitment to long-term treatment, help reduce recidivism, and more adequately provide for the community. The legislature recognizes that these treatment providers offer a valuable service to the people of Washington and may experience difficulty maintaining adequate liability protection given the inherent uncertainties of providing treatment to sexually violent predators. The legislature intends to provide very limited immunity, for instances of simple negligence only, to certified sex offender treatment providers for their treatment decisions involving sexually violent predators released to a less restrictive alternative under chapter 71.09 RCW.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.155.020 and 2000 c 171 s 33 and 2000 c 28 s 38 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:

(1) "Certified sex offender treatment provider" means a licensed, certified, or registered health professional who is certified to examine and treat sex offenders pursuant to chapters 9.94A and 13.40 RCW ((~~9.94A.670 and 13.40.160~~)) and sexually violent predators under chapter 71.09 RCW.

(2) "Department" means the department of health.

(3) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.

(4) "Sex offender treatment provider" means a person who counsels or treats sex offenders accused of or convicted of a sex offense as defined by RCW 9.94A.030.

Sec. 3. RCW 18.155.030 and 2000 c 171 s 34 and 2000 c 28 s 39 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) No person shall represent himself or herself as a certified sex offender treatment provider without first applying for and receiving a certificate pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Only a certified sex offender treatment provider may perform or provide the following services:

(a) Evaluations conducted for the purposes of and pursuant to RCW 9.94A.670 and 13.40.160;

(b) Treatment of convicted sex offenders who are sentenced and ordered into treatment pursuant to RCW 9.94A.670 and adjudicated juvenile sex offenders who are ordered into treatment pursuant to RCW 13.40.160;

(c) Treatment of sexually violent predators who are conditionally released to a less restrictive alternative pursuant to chapter 71.09 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A certified sex offender treatment provider, acting in the course of his or her duties, providing treatment to a person who has been released to a less restrictive alternative under chapter 71.09 RCW or to a level III sex offender on community custody as a court or department ordered condition of sentence is not negligent because he or she treats a high risk offender; sex offenders are known to have a risk of reoffense. The treatment provider is not liable for civil damages resulting from the reoffense of a client unless the treatment provider's acts or omissions constituted gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. This limited liability provision is limited by the treatment provider's duty to warn of and protect from a client's threatened violent behavior if the client communicates a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably ascertainable victim or victims.

(2) Sex offender treatment providers who provide services to the department of corrections by identifying risk factors and notifying the department of risks for the subset of high risk offenders who are not amenable to treatment and who are under court order for treatment or supervision are practicing within the scope of their profession.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 71.09 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Examinations and treatment of sexually violent predators who are conditionally released to a less restrictive alternative under this chapter shall be conducted only by sex offender treatment providers certified by the department of health under chapter 18.155 RCW unless the court or the department of social and health services finds that: (a) The court-ordered less restrictive alternative placement is located in another state; (b) the treatment provider is employed by the department; or (c)(i) all certified treatment providers become unavailable to provide treatment within a reasonable geographic distance of the person's home, as determined in rules adopted by the department of social and health services; and (ii) the evaluation and treatment plan comply with the rules adopted by the department of social and health services.

A treatment provider approved by the department of social and health services under (c) of this subsection, who is not certified by the department of health, shall consult with a certified provider during the person's period of treatment to ensure compliance with the rules adopted by the department of health. The frequency and content of the consultation shall be based on the recommendation of the certified provider.

(2) Nothing in this section prohibits a qualified expert from examining or evaluating a sexually violent predator who has been conditionally released for purposes of presenting an opinion in court proceedings.