BILL REQ. #:  H-0201.1 

Prefiled 12/30/2002. Read first time 01/13/2003.   Referred to Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law.

     AN ACT Relating to discharge of a minor from a mental health facility; and amending RCW 71.34.046.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 71.34.046 and 1998 c 296 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any minor thirteen years or older voluntarily admitted to an evaluation and treatment facility under RCW 71.34.042 may give notice of intent to leave at any time. The notice need not follow any specific form so long as it is written and the intent of the minor can be discerned.
     (2) The staff member receiving the notice shall date it immediately, record its existence in the minor's clinical record, and send copies of it to the minor's attorney, if any, the county-designated mental health professional, and the parent.
     (3) The professional person shall discharge the minor, thirteen years or older, from the facility ((upon)) on the second judicial day following receipt of the minor's notice of intent to leave.