Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) to oversee the administration and selection of the recipient of a criminal justice system diversion center pilot project grant.
Requires the grant recipient to establish approximately 40 residential beds to provide relevant programming and services to individuals with involvement in the criminal justice system.
Requires WASPC to submit a report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2019.

Background: WASPC is a statewide association consisting of the executive and top management of law enforcement agencies around the state, including local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies. WASPC is an entity described in statute and has several duties mandated by state law, including management of the statewide jail booking and reporting system, administering a statewide first responder building mapping information system, maintaining a statewide missing persons information website, developing model policies, and providing a victim information and notification system.

Based on Washington State 2017 population estimates, Snohomish County is currently the only county in Washington located west of the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range with a population of not less than 750,000 and not more than 815,000 residents. The city of Everett, with a population of not less than 90,000 and not more than 150,000 residents, is located within Snohomish County.

Summary of Bill: Subject to funding, WASPC must provide grant funding to Snohomish County to establish a criminal justice system diversion pilot project, if the county applies for the funding and can demonstrate a willingness to coordinate with community partners.

The grant recipient must establish approximately 40 residential beds prioritized for use by one of the following:

individuals referred by law enforcement who are suspected of having committed nonviolent crimes and whose behavior is suspected to be influenced by a behavioral health issue;
individuals referred by social workers embedded with law enforcement agencies who have previous involvement in the criminal justice system and who are awaiting inpatient residential treatment or working toward self-sufficiency following inpatient treatment; or
individuals with behavioral health issues releasing from jail who are working with re-entry services to address needs and secure housing.

Residential beds must be used for short-term placements of up to 90 days.

The grant recipient must provide skilled medical, behavioral health, and case management staff 24-hours per day and 7-days per week to deliver necessary treatment and support services. The site for the pilot project must be in a location that provides convenient access to relevant programming and services, and comply with other requirements.

WASPC must report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2019, describing the number of individuals served, the outcomes achieved, and the impact on arrests and jail stays.

This measure expires on July 1, 2020.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The goals of this bill are to decrease criminal justice involvement, increase involvement in behavioral health treatment, and to increase housing for this population. The revolving door is not working, but the use of embedded social workers with the criminal justice system in Snohomish County has been positive. This bill would allow the grant recipient to provide crisis intervention and other services. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) would be made available and this program would prioritize individuals who are currently in a homeless encampment, with many also having substance abuse issues, primarily opioids. This bill creates a pilot program that is different than anything currently offered because of the intensive 24-hours per day and 7-days per week staffing and type of services offered. There is a plan on repurposing approximately 44 existing beds that are available for use and ready to open as soon as funding is available. We support increasing diversion opportunities. Please amend the bill to have the grant recipient continue the operation for a minimum of two years following the receipt of state funds, if the pilot is successful. Please extend the date on which the funds will be awarded to October 1, 2018.