Brief Description: Requiring notification to parents of the mental health treatment options for their minor child.

Sponsors: Representatives Hinkle, Dickerson, Delvin, Carrell, Pettigrew, Upthegrove, Eickmeyer, Edwards and Kessler.

Hearing Date: 2/11/03

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

Under traditional common law parents have authority to consent to various forms of treatment for their children. In Washington, the common law parental authority has been modified by statute to authorize the minor child to have the authority to consent to treatment in some situations. The common law has also been modified by statute to provide for specific procedures which parents and providers must follow in certain situations.

Parents seeking mental health treatment for their minor children in Washington state are not provided with any uniform materials informing them of the treatment options available, or procedures to follow, to provide mental health treatment for their children.

Summary of Bill:

The department is required to produce, and make available, a written document containing information explaining the statutorily available options for mental health treatment of a minor and the procedures to follow to utilize the treatment options.

If a parent seeks to have his or her child treated at a mental health evaluation and treatment facility, the facility must provide written and verbal notice to the parents of the statutorily available options for mental health treatment of a minor and the procedures to follow to utilize the treatment options.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.