BILL REQ. #:  H-3184.1 

     AN ACT Relating to crisis residential centers; and amending RCW 74.13.032.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 74.13.032 and 1998 c 296 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall establish, by contracts with private or public vendors, regional crisis residential centers with semi-secure facilities. These facilities shall be structured group care facilities licensed under rules adopted by the department and shall have an average of at least four adult staff members and in no event less than three adult staff members to every eight children.
     (2) Within available funds appropriated for this purpose, the department shall establish, by contracts with private or public vendors, regional crisis residential centers with secure facilities. These facilities shall be facilities licensed under rules adopted by the department. These centers may also include semi-secure facilities and to such extent shall be subject to subsection (1) of this section.
     (3) The department shall, in addition to the facilities established under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, establish additional crisis residential centers pursuant to contract with licensed private group care facilities.
     (4) The staff at the facilities established under this section shall be trained so that they may effectively counsel juveniles admitted to the centers, provide treatment, supervision, and structure to the juveniles that recognize the need for support and the varying circumstances that cause children to leave their families, and carry out the responsibilities stated in RCW 13.32A.090. The responsibilities stated in RCW 13.32A.090 may, in any of the centers, be carried out by the department.
     (5) The secure facilities located within crisis residential centers shall be operated to conform with the definition in RCW 13.32A.030. The facilities shall have an average of no less than one adult staff member to every ten children. The staffing ratio shall continue to ensure the safety of the children.
     (6) If a secure crisis residential center is located in or adjacent to a secure juvenile detention facility, the center shall be operated in a manner that prevents in-person contact between the residents of the center and the persons held in such facility.
     (7) Services or programs authorized or required to be provided by the department under this section shall be provided to the extent funding is appropriated in the omnibus appropriations act or otherwise available to the department for such specific services and programs. The department has no responsibility to provide specific services or programs under this section if funds are not specifically appropriated or available.