Background: Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) is a statewide organization consisting of executive and management personnel from law enforcement agencies. Membership includes sheriffs, police chiefs, the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Corrections, and representatives of a number of federal agencies. The 1975 Washington Legislature made WASPC a statutory entity by designating the association as a "combination of units of local government."

WASPC has been tasked with managing certain statewide programs, such as the Jail Booking and Reporting System. Additionally, it has been given administrative responsibility for several state-funded grant programs, including grant programs addressing gang crime, graffiti and tagging abatement, denied firearm purchase attempts, sexual assault kits, metal theft, and mental health field response.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion National Support Bureau. Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a community-based diversion approach with the stated goals of improving public safety and public order and reducing unnecessary justice system involvement of people who participate in the program. The LEAD National Support Bureau (LEAD NSB) provides strategic guidance and technical support to local jurisdictions developing LEAD programs.

Summary of Bill: Subject to appropriations, WASPC must develop and implement a grant program aimed at supporting local initiatives to properly identify criminal justice system-involved persons with substance use disorders and other behavioral health needs and engage those persons with therapeutic interventions and other services prior to or at the time of jail booking, or while in custody. The interventions or services must have efficacy demonstrated by experience, peer-reviewed research, or must be credible promising practices. WASPC must consult with LEAD NSB.

WASPC must award grants by March 1, 2020, to local jurisdictions based on locally-developed proposals which establish new programs or expand existing programs. Proposals must include governing involvement from community-based organizations, local government, and law enforcement, and must demonstrate engagement with law enforcement, prosecutors, civil rights advocates, public health experts, harm reduction practitioners, organizations led by and representing persons with past criminal justice system involvement, and public safety advocates. Grant applications must be reviewed by a peer review panel appointed by WASPC, including experts in harm reduction and civil rights experts. When appointing the peer review panel WASPC must consult with LEAD NSB, integrated managed care organizations, and behavioral health organizations.

Programs preferred for grant funding must be those with a pre-booking diversion focus that either engage persons at risk of criminal justice system involvement in community-based care and support services, or provide similar services to persons being released from jail. Up to 25 percent of total funds may be allocated to the following services inside jail for persons with behavioral health needs:

use of case management and peer support services;
specialized training for jail staff;
comprehensive jail reentry programming; or
other innovative interventions.

All proposals must track client engagement and outcomes, with technical support available from LEAD NSB. Annual renewal must be conditioned on demonstration that the funded program is operating in alignment with grant requirements. Grant funds must be separate from the Mental Health Field Response Grant Program and may not be used to fulfill minimum medical and treatment services in jail. Grant recipients should be geographically distributed to the extent possible. Priority must be given to jurisdictions providing local matching funds. WASPC may solicit or accept private funds to support the grant program.

WASPC must submit an annual report to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1st of each year.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The passage of legislation related to the use of deadly force brought law enforcement agencies and community leadership advocates together in a meaningful way to build trust and new relationships. This bill is the fruit of that work. This bill would reward innovations as communities build tools and strategies to divert the most vulnerable away from jail and into the treatment system. Thirty-five jurisdictions around the country have followed the footsteps of Seattle and implemented LEAD programs, with more on the way. This is a best practice for addressing local issues including racially disproportionate sentencing, overincarceration, overcrowded jails, overburdened court systems, public health and safety, and the opioid epidemic. Persons with behavioral health issues do not fare well in jails. Repeated incarceration does not help people address their behavioral health issues. Prosecutors think this is a wonderful idea. We want people to get the services they need so they do not return. Not everyone deserves to go to jail. Please help police officers direct persons who need help to get the help they need. The complexity of 21st century policing creates the need for creative solutions. We support the LEAD program and know it will help reduce crime and divert persons to needed care. This program helps build trust and engagement with populations who are skeptical about law enforcement. It gives police an effective tool to place people in distress in a more conducive environment while reducing the burden on an overstressed criminal justice system. WASPC has a proven track record for innovative programs to keep people with behavioral health needs out of jail. WASPC was helpful during the Trueblood settlement. Pre-diversion emphasis is a real strength of this program. Diversion is followed by long-term health care coordination. Arrests interrupt continuity of care and can lead to treatment reversals. We are grateful to law enforcement and community leaders for making LEAD a reality in King County; the rest of Washington now deserves this opportunity. The Bremerton LEAD project has been transformative, in a place where harm reduction principles have not been historically embraced. The program has built authentic, respectful relationships between law enforcement and other key stakeholders. Buy-in from multiple parties is necessary for programs to succeed. LEAD now needs resources to move forward. This program will alleviate the need for prison construction. Putting together a therapeutic court taught us about the need to build trust between persons with behavioral health disorders and service providers. Coordination is needed to avoid duplication of services and avoid conflicts. We need an integrated approach and to look through the eyes of the people we serve. The same group of providers should be available to the public, the courts, and the police. Early intervention is needed the first time people appear in court before matters get out of control. Diversion by itself is worthless if it is not backed up with appropriate treatment and care. There is no lack of will for diversion, but the tools are absent to effectively handle behavioral health needs. From a law enforcement perspective if no crisis bed is available, no shelter bed, and the person does not meet involuntary treatment hold criteria, jail can seem like the only humane choice. This bill puts the ingredients in place to combine diversion with care. The focus on pre-booking is positive and I have confidence in the LEAD NSB. This bill has a city perspective, and gives cities an opportunity to apply for funding to pair with community partners and make a difference. Small experimental programs make bigger programs more effective. The magic comes from treating people with dignity and respect. I started the state's largest outpatient substance use disorder, mental health, and domestic violence program, and I am an example of what can happen when a person involved in the justice system is given the opportunity to be involved in treatment.