2SHB 1627 -
By Committee on Human Services & Corrections
NOT CONSIDERED
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 10.77 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) If, at the time of a referral for an evaluation of competency
to stand trial in a jail for an in-custody defendant, the department
has not met its performance target for timely completion of competency
evaluations under RCW 10.77.068(1)(a)(ii) during the most recent
quarter in fifty percent of cases submitted by the referring county, as
documented in the most recent quarterly report under RCW 10.77.068(3)
or confirmed by records maintained by the department, the department
shall reimburse the county for the cost of appointing a qualified
expert or professional person under RCW 10.77.060(1)(a) subject to
subsections (2) and (3) of this section.
(2) Appointment of a qualified expert or professional person under
this section must be from a list of qualified experts or professional
persons assembled with participation by representatives of the
prosecuting attorney and the defense bar of the county.
(3) A qualified expert or professional person appointed by a court
under this section must be compensated for competency evaluations in an
amount that will encourage in-depth evaluation reports. Subject to the
availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the
department shall reimburse the county in an amount determined by the
department to be fair and reasonable with the county paying any excess
costs. The amount of reimbursement established by the department must
at least meet the equivalent amount for evaluations conducted by the
department. The county shall maintain data on the timeliness of
competency evaluations completed under this section. If the defendant
is subsequently referred for admission to the state hospital, the
county shall provide the state hospital with a copy of the evaluation
report.
(4) Nothing in this section precludes either party from objecting
to the appointment of an evaluator on the basis that an inpatient
evaluation is appropriate under RCW 10.77.060(1)(d).
(5) This section expires June 30, 2016.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 Within current resources, the office of the
state human resources director shall gather market salary data related
to psychologists and psychiatrists employed by the department of social
and health services and department of corrections and report to the
governor and relevant committees of the legislature by June 30, 2013.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 Section 2 of this act is necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or
support of the state government and its existing public institutions,
and takes effect immediately."
2SHB 1627 -
By Committee on Human Services & Corrections
NOT CONSIDERED
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "evaluations;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 10.77 RCW; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency."
EFFECT: The county must maintain data on the timeliness of competency evaluations under this section. A subject to appropriation clause is added, and an emergency clause restricted to section 2 so that a report may be provided by June 30, 2013. Other technical amendments and clarifications.