ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 2520

Changing terminoogy in the release from commitment of persons in mental

                     treatment facilities.

Health Care Committee                          January 24, 2000

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Schual-Berke and Parlette.

BACKGROUND:  Individuals are committed to state mental hospitals through legal procedures in superior court.  Once admitted, a physician is involved in medical decisions related to the care of the individual.  Terms used in the legal system and the medical system are not consistently used.  The potential for confusion exists for such terms as Aadmission", Adischarge@, Adetention@, Acommitment@, and Arelease@.

SUMMARY:  A consistent set of legal and medical terms involving individuals served in state mental hospitals will be used.  Potential confusion involving individuals' legal, medical, and financial status will be clarified.