Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Public Safety Committee |
HB 1756
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning community policing at and around western state hospital.
Sponsors: Representatives Kilduff, Muri, Kirby, Goodman, Sawyer and Van De Wege.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/10/15
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
Western State Hospital (WSH) is one of two state-owned adult psychiatric hospitals that provide involuntary inpatient treatment for individuals with mental disorders who are committed by civil and criminal courts. The facility is located in the Lakewood, Washington, area of Pierce County. The WSH has 827 inpatient beds and provides services to individuals from 19 western Washington counties.
As part of the 2013-15 Operating Budget, a total of $462,000 was appropriated (for the 2013-15 biennium) to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) solely for a community partnership between the WSH and the City of Lakewood to support community policing efforts in the Lakewood community surrounding the WSH. The funding was to pay for the salaries, benefits, supplies, and equipment for one-full investigator, one-full time law enforcement officer, and one full-time community service officer in the City of Lakewood. A similar appropriation has been incorporated in prior operating budgets back to Fiscal Year 2008.An additional $90,000 was also appropriated to the DSHS for the 2013-15 biennium for the Lakewood Police Department to provide direct services at the WSH.
Summary of Bill:
The WSH must enter into a contract with the city in which it is located for the provision of community policing services at the hospital and in the surrounding area. Community policing services includes, but is not limited to, a neighborhood patrol officer, community service officer, and detective or investigator to proactively address public safety issues at the hospital. Other services include interacting with the public to increase communication between city government and the public, investigating complaints of patient and staff related incidents, and conducting training.
Beginning in fiscal biennium 2015-17, the amount of the contract must be no less than $462,000. In each subsequent biennium, the contract must increase by 1 percent, but may never exceed $750,000.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.