BILL REQ. #:  S-0482.1 

Read first time 01/18/13.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to improving safety for patients and staff at state hospitals; and adding a new section to chapter 72.23 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 72.23 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that risk of assault at Washington's state hospitals creates a dangerous environment for state hospital patients and staff and undermines therapeutic treatment goals.
     (2) By December 1, 2013, the department shall develop a plan to enhance the safety of state hospital patients and staff from assault. This plan must be shared with the executive and appropriate committees of the legislature. At a minimum, this plan must include consideration of the following elements:
     (a) Development of increased security areas at the state hospitals for effective monitoring and control of patients who present a high threat of violence where such patients may be more effectively monitored and controlled;
     (b) Adoption of safety planning procedures following incidents of intentional assault which ensure that meaningful and perceptible consequences follow from such intentional behavior;
     (c) Increased empowerment for state hospital security personnel, including heightening the presence of security on state hospital wards that house dangerous individuals;
     (d) An assessment of training enhancements that could increase safety from assault, including exploration of alternate security models; and
     (e) An estimate of the total cost of assault at the state hospitals, combined with a plan to measure the cost savings realized by decreasing incidents of assault and capturing savings for investment in further safety enhancements.