2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 13.32A.130: Child admitted to secure facility — Maximum hours of custody — Evaluation for semi-secure facility or release to department — Parental right to remove child — Reconciliation effort — Information to parent and child — Written statement of services and rights — Crisis residential center immunity from liability.

(1) A child admitted to a secure facility shall remain in the facility for at least twenty-four hours after admission but for not more than five consecutive days. If the child admitted under this section is transferred between secure and semi-secure facilities, the aggregate length of time spent in all such centers or facilities may not exceed five consecutive days per admission.

     (2)(a)(i) The facility administrator shall determine within twenty-four hours after a child's admission to a secure facility whether the child is likely to remain in a semi-secure facility and may transfer the child to a semi-secure facility or release the child to the department. The determination shall be based on: (A) The need for continued assessment, protection, and treatment of the child in a secure facility; and (B) the likelihood the child would remain at a semi-secure facility until his or her parents can take the child home or a petition can be filed under this title.

     (ii) In making the determination the administrator shall consider the following information if known: (A) The child's age and maturity; (B) the child's condition upon arrival at the center; (C) the circumstances that led to the child's being taken to the center; (D) whether the child's behavior endangers the health, safety, or welfare of the child or any other person; (E) the child's history of running away; and (F) the child's willingness to cooperate in the assessment.

     (b) If the administrator of a secure facility determines the child is unlikely to remain in a semi-secure facility, the administrator shall keep the child in the secure facility pursuant to this chapter and in order to provide for space for the child may transfer another child who has been in the facility for at least seventy-two hours to a semi-secure facility. The administrator shall only make a transfer of a child after determining that the child who may be transferred is likely to remain at the semi-secure facility.

     (c) A crisis residential center administrator is authorized to transfer a child to a crisis residential center in the area where the child's parents reside or where the child's lawfully prescribed residence is located.

     (d) An administrator may transfer a child from a semi-secure facility to a secure facility whenever he or she reasonably believes that the child is likely to leave the semi-secure facility and not return and after full consideration of all factors in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection.

     (3) If no parent is available or willing to remove the child during the first seventy-two hours following admission, the department shall consider the filing of a petition under RCW 13.32A.140.

     (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the parents may remove the child at any time during the five-day period unless the staff of the crisis residential center has reasonable cause to believe that the child is absent from the home because he or she is abused or neglected or if allegations of abuse or neglect have been made against the parents. The department or any agency legally charged with the supervision of a child may remove a child from a crisis residential center at any time after the first twenty-four-hour period after admission has elapsed and only after full consideration by all parties of the factors in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

     (5) Crisis residential center staff shall make reasonable efforts to protect the child and achieve a reconciliation of the family. If a reconciliation and voluntary return of the child has not been achieved within forty-eight hours from the time of admission, and if the administrator of the center does not consider it likely that reconciliation will be achieved within the five-day period, then the administrator shall inform the parent and child of: (a) The availability of counseling services; (b) the right to file a child in need of services petition for an out-of-home placement, the right of a parent to file an at-risk youth petition, and the right of the parent and child to obtain assistance in filing the petition; (c) the right to request the facility administrator or his or her designee to form a multidisciplinary team; (d) the right to request a review of any out-of-home placement; (e) the right to request a mental health or chemical dependency evaluation by a county-designated professional or a private treatment facility; and (f) the right to request treatment in a program to address the child's at-risk behavior under RCW 13.32A.197.

     (6) At no time shall information regarding a parent's or child's rights be withheld. The department shall develop and distribute to all law enforcement agencies and to each crisis residential center administrator a written statement delineating the services and rights. The administrator of the facility or his or her designee shall provide every resident and parent with a copy of the statement.

     (7) A crisis residential center and any person employed at the center acting in good faith in carrying out the provisions of this section are immune from criminal or civil liability for such actions.

[2000 c 162 § 13; 2000 c 162 § 3; 2000 c 123 § 15; 1997 c 146 § 4; 1996 c 133 § 8; 1995 c 312 § 12; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 508; 1992 c 205 § 206; 1990 c 276 § 8; 1985 c 257 § 9; 1981 c 298 § 9; 1979 c 155 § 27.]

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2000 c 123 § 15 and by 2000 c 162 § 13, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).      Effective date -- 2000 c 162 §§ 11-17: See note following RCW 13.32A.060.      Findings -- Short title -- Intent -- Construction -- 1996 c 133: See notes following RCW 13.32A.197.      Short title -- 1995 c 312: See note following RCW 13.32A.010.      Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.      Part headings not law -- Severability -- 1992 c 205: See notes following RCW 13.40.010.      Intent -- 1990 c 276: See RCW 13.32A.015.      Conflict with federal requirements -- Severability -- 1990 c 276: See notes following RCW 13.32A.020.      Severability -- 1985 c 257: See note following RCW 13.34.165.      Severability -- 1981 c 298: See note following RCW 13.32A.040.      Effective date -- Severability -- 1979 c 155: See notes following RCW 13.04.011.