HB 1456-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Finds that designated mental health professionals go out into the community to evaluate people for potential detention under the state's involuntary treatment act. Also, designated mental health professionals and other mental health workers do crisis intervention work intended to stabilize a person in crisis and provide immediate treatment and intervention in communities throughout Washington state. In many cases, the presence of a second trained individual on outreach to a person's private home or other private location will enhance safety for consumers, families, and mental health professionals and will advance the legislature's interest in quality mental health care services.

Provides that no designated mental health professional or crisis intervention worker shall be required to respond to a private home or other private location to stabilize or treat a person in crisis, or to evaluate a person for potential detention under the state's involuntary treatment act, unless a second trained individual, determined by the clinical team supervisor, on-call supervisor, or individual professional acting alone based on a risk assessment for potential violence, accompanies them.

Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.