H-1356 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 2054
_______________________________________________
C 401 L 89
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Representatives Locke, Todd, O'Brien, Padden, Appelwick, Anderson, Winsley, Belcher and P. King
Read first time 2/17/89 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to notification of the release of dangerous persons committed under the involuntary treatment act; amending RCW 71.05.325; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 2, chapter 67, Laws of 1986 and RCW 71.05.325 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Before a person committed under grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280(3) is released from involuntary treatment because a new petition for involuntary treatment has not been filed under RCW 71.05.320(2), the superintendent, professional person, or designated mental health professional responsible for the decision whether to file a new petition shall in writing notify the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the criminal charges against the committed person were dismissed, of the decision not to file a new petition for involuntary treatment. Notice shall be provided at least thirty days before the period of commitment expires.
(2)(a) Before a person committed under grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280(3) is permitted temporarily to leave a treatment facility pursuant to RCW 71.05.270 for any period of time without constant accompaniment by facility staff, the superintendent, professional person in charge of a treatment facility, or his or her professional designee shall in writing notify the prosecuting attorney of any county to which the person is to be released and the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the criminal charges against the committed person were dismissed, of the decision conditionally to release the person. The notice shall be provided at least thirty days before the anticipated release and shall describe the conditions under which the release is to occur.
(b) The provisions of RCW 71.05.330(2) apply to proposed temporary releases, and either or both prosecuting attorneys receiving notice under this subsection may petition the court under RCW 71.05.330(2).
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize detention of a person unless a valid order of commitment is in effect.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. 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 shall take effect immediately.