2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 70.96B.050: Petition for initial detention — Evaluation and treatment period — Procedure. (Expires July 1, 2008.)

(1)(a) When a designated crisis responder receives information alleging that a person, as a result of a mental disorder, chemical dependency disorder, or both, presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled, the designated crisis responder may, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of any person providing information to initiate detention, if satisfied that the allegations are true and that the person will not voluntarily seek appropriate treatment, file a petition for initial detention. Before filing the petition, the designated crisis responder must personally interview the person, unless the person refuses an interview, and determine whether the person will voluntarily receive appropriate evaluation and treatment at either an evaluation and treatment facility, a detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider.

     (b)(i)(A) Whenever it appears, by petition for initial detention, to the satisfaction of a judge of the superior court that a person presents as a result of a mental disorder, a likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled, and that the person has refused or failed to accept appropriate evaluation and treatment voluntarily, the judge may issue an order requiring the person to appear within twenty-four hours after service of the order at a designated evaluation and treatment facility for not more than a seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment period; or

     (B) Whenever it appears, by petition for initial detention, to the satisfaction of a judge of the superior court, district court, or other court permitted by court rule, that a person presents as a result of a chemical dependency, a likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled, and that the person has refused or failed to accept appropriate evaluation and treatment voluntarily, the judge may issue an order requiring the person to appear within twenty-four hours after service of the order at a secure detoxification facility or other certified chemical dependency provider for not more than a seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment period.

     (ii) The order issued under this subsection (1)(b) shall state the address of the evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider to which the person is to report; whether the required seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment services may be delivered on an outpatient or inpatient basis; and that if the person named in the order fails to appear at the evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider at or before the date and time stated in the order, the person may be involuntarily taken into custody for evaluation and treatment. The order shall also designate retained counsel or, if counsel is appointed from a list provided by the court, the name, business address, and telephone number of the attorney appointed to represent the person.

     (c) The designated crisis responder shall then serve or cause to be served on such person, his or her guardian, and conservator, if any, a copy of the order to appear, together with a notice of rights and a petition for initial detention. After service on the person, the designated crisis responder shall file the return of service in court and provide copies of all papers in the court file to the evaluation and treatment facility or secure detoxification facility and the designated attorney. The designated crisis responder shall notify the court and the prosecuting attorney that a probable cause hearing will be held within seventy-two hours of the date and time of outpatient evaluation or admission to the evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider. The person shall be permitted to remain in his or her home or other place of his or her choosing before the time of evaluation and shall be permitted to be accompanied by one or more of his or her relatives, friends, an attorney, a personal physician, or other professional or religious advisor to the place of evaluation. An attorney accompanying the person to the place of evaluation shall be permitted to be present during the admission evaluation. Any other person accompanying the person may be present during the admission evaluation. The facility may exclude the person if his or her presence would present a safety risk, delay the proceedings, or otherwise interfere with the evaluation.

     (d) If the person ordered to appear does appear on or before the date and time specified, the evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider may admit the person as required by subsection (3) of this section or may provide treatment on an outpatient basis. If the person ordered to appear fails to appear on or before the date and time specified, the evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider shall immediately notify the designated crisis responder who may notify a peace officer to take the person or cause the person to be taken into custody and placed in an evaluation and treatment facility, a secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider. Should the designated crisis responder notify a peace officer authorizing the officer to take a person into custody under this subsection, the designated crisis responder shall file with the court a copy of the authorization and a notice of detention. At the time the person is taken into custody there shall commence to be served on the person, his or her guardian, and conservator, if any, a copy of the original order together with a notice of detention, a notice of rights, and a petition for initial detention.

     (2) If a designated crisis responder receives information alleging that a person, as the result of:

     (a) A mental disorder, presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or is in imminent danger because of being gravely disabled, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of the person or persons providing the information if any, the designated crisis responder may take the person, or cause by oral or written order the person to be taken into emergency custody in an evaluation and treatment facility for not more than seventy-two hours as described in this chapter; or

     (b) Chemical dependency, presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or is in imminent danger because of being gravely disabled, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of the person or persons providing the information if any, the designated crisis responder may take the person, or cause by oral or written order the person to be taken into emergency custody in a secure detoxification facility for not more than seventy-two hours as described in this chapter.

     (3) If the designated crisis responder petitions for detention of a person whose actions constitute a likelihood of serious harm, or who is gravely disabled, the evaluation and treatment facility, the secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider providing seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment must immediately accept on a provisional basis the petition and the person. The evaluation and treatment facility, the secure detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider shall then evaluate the person's condition and admit, detain, transfer, or discharge such person in accordance with this chapter. The facility shall notify in writing the court and the designated crisis responder of the date and time of the initial detention of each person involuntarily detained so that a probable cause hearing will be held no later than seventy-two hours after detention.

     (4) A peace officer may, without prior notice of the proceedings provided for in subsection (1) of this section, take or cause the person to be taken into custody and immediately delivered to an evaluation and treatment facility, secure detoxification facility, other certified chemical dependency treatment provider only pursuant to subsections (1)(d) and (2) of this section.

     (5) Nothing in this chapter limits the power of a peace officer to take a person into custody and immediately deliver the person to the emergency department of a local hospital or to a detoxification facility.

[2005 c 504 § 206.]

Findings -- Intent -- Severability -- Application -- Construction -- Captions, part headings, subheadings not law -- Adoption of rules -- Effective dates -- 2005 c 504: See notes following RCW 71.05.027.      Alphabetization -- Correction of references -- 2005 c 504: See note following RCW 71.05.020.