SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2717

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: A conditional release from a state mental health facility is a court order permitting a person who has been committed to the facility to be released under specified conditions. A furlough is an authorized leave of absence for a committed person without the requirement that the committed person be accompanied by law enforcement or institutional staff. Sometimes a conditional release order may require the committed person to remain in the custody of a state facility but permits the facility to grant certain privileges to the committed person, such as periodic furloughs or movement around the grounds of the facility.

Before a furlough is granted, a state facility must provide 45 days notice to the prosecuting attorney and 30 days notice to law enforcement. The prosecutor is authorized to seek a temporary restraining order to prevent the furlough. Prior to conditional release, the facility must provide 30 days notice to the prosecuting attorney, law enforcement, and any victims, witnesses, or next of kin who have requested notification.

Summary of Bill: No person committed to a state facility under chapter 10.77 RCW may leave the state facility in absence of a conditional release or furlough ordered by the court, except for necessary medical and legal proceedings, for bedside visits to a member of the person's immediate family who is seriously ill, or for attendance at the funeral of a member of the person's immediate family. Immediate family is defined to mean a spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, or domestic partner. No leave will be permitted without an escort in constant visual or auditory contact except under court order. Notice must be provided to law enforcement in the area of the leave. Neither the facility or the court may allow a committed person to go beyond the boundaries of the state of Washington under any circumstances.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill would codify some of the recommendations made by the safety review panel which reviewed state hospital policy after the escape of a patient from the Spokane County Fair. There is no more important value than the safety of our citizens.

OTHER: The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is generally in support because this comports with the interim policy relating to hospital leaves. One concern is that the bill does not leave enough flexibility to respond to emergency situations, and more work needs to be done on the provision relating to travel out of state.

CON: The 30- or 45-day notice requirement around hospital furloughs is not sufficiently flexible to deal with the situation of a medical emergency. There needs to be flexibility in dealing with long-term forensic patients to allow for incremental integration back into society. This gives the best chance for safety and success after discharge. The error committed in the escape of the patient from the Spokane County Fair was in the lack of a current risk assessment, not in the leave policy. Transition programs which grant limited freedoms to persons committed to the state hospital are an appropriate and safe part of hospital treatment. These freedoms permit treatment options which promote stability, employment, and therapeutic integration of patients back into the community.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Shea, prime sponsor; Representative Johnson, co-sponsor.

OTHER: Richard Kellogg, DSHS.

CON: Greg Davis, Eastern State Hospital employee; Craig Gibelyon, Western State Hospital employee.