H-0790.1
HOUSE BILL 1288
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State of Washington | 64th Legislature | 2015 Regular Session |
By Representatives Orwall, Rodne, Jinkins, Walkinshaw, Cody, Moeller, Tharinger, and Gregerson
Read first time 01/16/15. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to directing a study of certain civil commitment practices and laws; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The Washington state institute for public policy is directed to complete a study by December 1, 2015, regarding the implementation of certain aspects of the involuntary treatment act under chapter 71.05 RCW. The study must include, but not be limited to: (a) An assessment of the nonemergent detention process provided under RCW
71.05.150, which examines:
(i) The number of nonemergent petitions filed in each county by year;
(ii) The reasons for variation in the use of nonemergent detentions based on feedback from judicial officers, prosecutors, public defenders, and mental health professionals; and
(iii) Models in other states for handling civil commitments when imminent danger is not present.
(b) An analysis of less restrictive alternative orders under the involuntary treatment act including:
(i) Differences across counties with respect to: (A) The use of less restrictive alternatives and reasons why least restrictive alternatives may or may not be utilized in different jurisdictions; (B) monitoring practices; and (C) rates of, grounds for, and outcomes of petitions for revocation or modification;
(ii) A systematic review of the research literature on the effectiveness of alternatives to involuntary hospitalizations in reducing violence and rehospitalizations; and
(iii) Approaches used in other states to monitor and enforce least restrictive orders, including associated costs.
(2) This section expires June 30, 2016.
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