SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1010

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, April 4, 2003

Title: An act relating to discharge of a minor from a mental health facility.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to discharge of a minor from a mental health facility.

Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Delvin, Kenney, Sullivan and Darneille.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 4/2/03, 4/4/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background: Under current law, a child who is at least 13 years old can consent to an inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment. When a minor is admitted for inpatient treatment and requests release from the facility in writing, the facility must release the child immediately.

Summary of Bill: When a child, aged 13 or over, consents to inpatient treatment and requests release in writing, the facility must release the child within two judicial days.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 19, 2003.

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

Testimony For: The issue is children checking themselves out and treatment providers believing that they can't hold a child who was admitted by his or her parent.

Testimony Against: There are concerns because the proposed amendment is very different than the underlying bill, and there hasn't been a chance to review it.

Testified: Representative Jerome Delvin, co-sponsor (pro); Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society (concerns).