The authority shall develop statewide protocols to be utilized by professional persons and designated crisis responders in administration of this chapter and chapters
10.77 and
71.34 RCW. The protocols shall be updated at least every three years. The protocols shall provide uniform development and application of criteria in evaluation and commitment recommendations, of persons who have, or are alleged to have, behavioral health disorders and are subject to this chapter.
The initial protocols shall be developed not later than September 1, 1999. The authority shall develop and update the protocols in consultation with representatives of designated crisis responders, the department of social and health services, tribal government, local government, law enforcement, county and city prosecutors, public defenders, and groups concerned with behavioral health disorders. The protocols shall be submitted to the governor and legislature upon adoption by the authority.
Addendum to designated crisis responder statewide protocols—2019 c 446: "Within existing resources, the health care authority shall develop an addendum to the designated crisis responder statewide protocols adopted pursuant to RCW
71.05.214 in consultation with representatives of designated crisis responders, the department of social and health services, local government, law enforcement, county and city prosecutors, public defenders, and groups concerned with mental illness and substance use disorders. The addendum must update the current protocols to address the implementation of the integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems, to include general processes for referrals and investigations of individuals with substance use disorders and the applicability of commitment criteria to individuals with substance use disorders. The authority shall adopt and submit the addendum to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2019." [
2019 c 446 s 1.]