SSB 6791 -
By Senator Hargrove
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The Washington institute for public
policy shall, in collaboration with the department of social and health
services and other applicable entities, undertake a search for a
validated mental health assessment tool or combination of tools to be
used by designated mental health professionals when undertaking
assessments of individuals for detention, commitment, and revocation
under the involuntary treatment act pursuant to chapter 71.05 RCW.
(2) This section expires June 30, 2011.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 71.05 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) In determining whether a person is gravely disabled or presents
a likelihood of serious harm, the court or evaluating designated mental
health professional must consider the symptoms and behavior of the
respondent in light of all available evidence or information concerning
the respondent's historical behavior, as disclosed by the clinical
record or credible witnesses with knowledge of the respondent.
(2) Symptoms or behavior which standing alone would not justify
civil commitment may support an inference of grave disability or
likelihood of serious harm when: (a) Such symptoms or behavior are
closely associated with symptoms or behavior which preceded and led to
a past incident of involuntary hospitalization, severe deterioration,
or one or more violent acts; (b) these symptoms or behavior represent
a marked and concerning change in the baseline behavior of the
respondent; and (c) without treatment, the continued deterioration of
the respondent is highly probable."
SSB 6791 -
By Senator Hargrove
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "act;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 71.05 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Symptoms or behavior which may support an inference of grave disability or likelihood of serious harm must: (1) Be closely associated with symptoms or behavior which preceded and led to a past incident of involuntary hospitalization, severe deterioration, or one or more violent acts; (2) represent a marked and concerning change in baseline behavior; and (3) without treatment, the continued deterioration of the respondent is highly probable.