SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5456

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 person may be detained for civil commitment under the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) if, due to a mental disorder, the person presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled. Mental disorder means any organic, mental or emotional impairment which has substantial adverse effects on a person's cognitive or volitional functions. Likelihood of serious harm means a substantial risk that a person will inflict physical harm on themselves, others, or the property of others. Gravely disabled means a danger of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to provide for essential human needs of health or safety, or a severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control combined with an absence of care essential for health or safety.

Detentions under the ITA are initiated by designated mental health professionals (DMHPs) employed by regional support networks. A DMHP conducting a detention investigation may initiate detention one of two ways. If the likelihood of serious harm or danger due to grave disability is imminent, the DMHP may initiate an emergency detention and cause the person to be taken into emergency custody in an evaluation and treatment facility (E&T) for up to 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Detention past this 72-hour period requires filing of an additional civil commitment petition and a probable cause hearing in superior court. If the likelihood of serious harm or danger to due grave disability is not imminent, the DMHP may initiate detention for up to 72 hours in a manner similar to the process for an emergency detention, except that the DMHP's petition or sworn telephonic testimony must be reviewed in advance for probable cause and approved by a judicial officer.

A mental health professional is a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, or social worker.

Summary of Bill: A decision by a DMHP not to detain a person may be overridden by the affidavit of two examining physicians, or one examining physician and one mental health professional. The DMHP must submit the affidavits to a superior court judge for review of legal sufficiency and probable cause to support a petition for initial detention. If the affidavits pass legal review, the DMHP must complete and process the petition.

A DMHP who conducts an evaluation for imminent likelihood of serious harm or imminent danger due to grave disability must also evaluate the person for likelihood of serious harm or grave disability that does not meet the imminent standard for emergency detention.

The fact that a mental disorder is caused by an underlying medical condition does not provide a reason to withhold detention under the ITA.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill attempts to clear up confusion about the etiology of mental health disorders and to put the patient first. Medical and psychiatric care go hand in hand and should not be treated separately. The bill simply requires an evaluating DMHP to present the case for detention. The DMHP sees the patient later than the physician and doesn't get the whole picture when they arrive after the patient is sedated. Inaccurate evaluation in this situation risks the life of the patient. This bill creates checks and balances. Capacity issues can interfere with the decision of what is appropriate medical care. Forty-five other states trust doctors and other parties to make detention decisions. Our goal is to get people help as soon as they need it and so we support expanding opportunities for detention. Emergency commitment should be allowed when there is a substantial risk of harm.

CON: DMHPs balance individual rights with the protection of the individual and the community. There is a tension between a physician seeking treatment for a patient and the involuntary commitment law. DMHPs make good decisions, and know the limits of the legal system. Recourse is currently available for physicians to resubmit a request for evaluation in many areas of the state. This bill would create a logistical nightmare. In a rural county, a patient could get stuck over the weekend waiting for legal review. The doctors would have to testify and the DMHPs would be asked in court why they did not find grounds for detention. Detention is a serious deprivation of liberty requiring stringent safeguards. This bill would water-down the evidence required for forced detention. Doctors may have less knowledge of less-restrictive alternatives.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Schlicher, prime sponsor; Seth Dawson, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI Washington; Kirsten Nestler, citizen.

CON: Robby Pellett, WA Assn. of Designated Mental Health Professionals; Mike De Felice, WA Defender Assn., WA Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Helen Nilon, Mental Health Action; Shankar Narayan, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.