The Mental Health Sentencing Alternative, established in 2021, allows a sentencing court to waive a defendant's standard range sentence, and impose a term of community custody if:
Any party or the court may move for imposition of this alternative, but the defendant must be willing. The court may rely on existing health records to determine whether the defendant has a serious mental illness or order an examination of the defendant if sufficient information is unavailable. Before imposition of a Mental Health Sentencing Alternative, the Department of Corrections (DOC) must provide a written report in the form of a presentence investigation containing:
The court must consider whether the defendant and the community would benefit from imposition of the alternative, and consider the victim's opinion. If the court determines that the alternative is appropriate, the court must impose 12 to 24 months of community custody if the midpoint of the standard range sentence is less than or equal to 36 months, and 12 to 36 months of community custody for longer sentencing ranges. DOC must assign an appropriately trained community corrections officer to supervise the defendant.
The court may schedule regular progress hearings for the defendant. DOC and any treatment provider must provide a report to the court before each hearing. The court may modify the conditions of community custody at a progress hearing if the modification serves the interests of justice and the best interests of the defendant. The court must schedule a termination hearing one month before the end of supervision. If the court revokes the Mental Health Sentencing Alternative, it may impose a sentence of confinement within the standard range sentence or an exceptional sentence below the standard range, with credit for time served in the community.
DOC's written report before imposition of a Mental Health Sentencing Alternative must include a diagnosis for the defendant's mental illness, but does not have to provide a proposed treatment plan. The report must include agreement from the treatment provider agreeing to provide treatment to the defendant to develop an individualized plan of treatment and submit it as soon as possible to DOC and the court.
The court may waive the obligation of DOC and the treatment provider to submit a written report describing the progress and compliance with treatment of a person who has received a mental health sentencing alternative before a scheduled progress hearing.
The court may order the defendant to undergo treatment and supervision in another state, provided that jurisdiction to address any violations and review hearings must be retained by a judge in the county of sentencing. If the defendant has been sentenced in multiple jurisdictions, violations and review hearings must be addressed by the jurisdiction with the most serious charges. When determining the venue for review hearings, DOC and the courts may consider the burden on any victims to travel to the review hearings.
PRO: This sentencing alternative is a tremendous help to the community. People with serious mental health concerns deserve treatment, not criminalization. We can support their long-term health while promoting and improving public safety, by addressing their underlying issues for the benefit of the individual and the community. This bill helps make this policy usable as a resource for our justice system.
OTHER: Prosecutors are concerned about allowing someone to receive treatment and supervision out of state. We want to make sure people receive the right kind of treatment to meet Washington's expectations. Not having a treatment plan up front allows a lot of discretion without a lot of framework. We think a plan should be in place before the court enters that sentencing alternative.