Title: An act relating to reorganization of provisions concerning mental health services for minors.

Brief Description: Reorganizing provisions concerning mental health services for minors.

Sponsors: By Representatives Moeller, McDonald, Hasegawa, Roach, Jarrett, Takko and Chase.

Brief History:

Juvenile Justice & Family Law: 1/21/05, 2/2/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/28/05, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY LAW

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Dickerson, Chair; Moeller, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; McCune, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Lovick and Roberts.

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

Chapter 71.34 RCW establishes three alternative methods of obtaining mental health treatment for minors. First, a minor over the age of 13 may voluntarily initiate and obtain mental health treatment for himself or herself. Second, a parent may initiate and obtain mental health treatment for his or her child under certain circumstances. Finally, the state may initiate mental health treatment for a minor under the Involuntary Treatment Act.

The statutes relating to the three forms of treatment are set out in Chapter 71.34 RCW. There currently is minimal organizational structure to the chapter.

Summary of Bill:

The statutes are reorganized into groupings in which related statutes are situated next to one another and placed under subheadings to identify the groupings. This is a technical reorganization of existing statutes. There are no substantive changes of law in the bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: I have reviewed Ch. 71.34 and seen the need to clean up the chapter. We have heard from professionals who are having a hard time following the law.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Moeller, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.