Washington — RCW 71.05.230

A person detained for one hundred twenty hours of evaluation and treatment may be committed for not more than fourteen additional days of involuntary intensive treatment or ninety additional days of a less restrictive alternative treatment. A petition may only be filed if the following conditions are met:

(1)The professional staff of the facility providing evaluation services has analyzed the person's condition and finds that the condition is caused by a behavioral health disorder and results in:

(a)A likelihood of serious harm; or

(b)the person being gravely disabled; and are prepared to testify those conditions are met; and

(2)The person has been advised of the need for voluntary treatment and the professional staff of the facility has evidence that he or she has not in good faith volunteered; and

(3)The facility providing intensive treatment is certified to provide such treatment by the department or under RCW 71.05.745 ; and

(4)(a)(i) The professional staff of the facility or the designated crisis responder has filed a petition with the court for a fourteen day involuntary detention or a ninety day less restrictive alternative. The petition must be signed by:

(A)One physician, physician assistant, or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner; and

(B)One physician, physician assistant, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or mental health professional.

(ii)If the petition is for substance use disorder treatment, the petition may be signed by a substance use disorder professional instead of a mental health professional and by an *advanced registered nurse practitioner instead of a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner. The persons signing the petition must have examined the person.

(b)If involuntary detention is sought the petition shall state facts that support the finding that such person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, presents a likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled and that there are no less restrictive alternatives to detention in the best interest of such person or others. The petition shall state specifically that less restrictive alternative treatment was considered and specify why treatment less restrictive than detention is not appropriate. If an involuntary less restrictive alternative is sought, the petition shall state facts that support the finding that such person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled and shall set forth any recommendations for less restrictive alternative treatment services; and

(5)A copy of the petition has been served on the detained person, his or her attorney, and his or her guardian, if any, prior to the probable cause hearing; and

(6)The court at the time the petition was filed and before the probable cause hearing has appointed counsel to represent such person if no other counsel has appeared; and

(7)The petition reflects that the person was informed of the loss of firearm rights if involuntarily committed for mental health treatment; and

(8)At the conclusion of the initial commitment period, the professional staff of the agency or facility or the designated crisis responder may petition for an additional period of either 90 days of less restrictive alternative treatment or 90 days of involuntary intensive treatment as provided in RCW 71.05.290 ; and

(9)If the hospital or facility designated to provide less restrictive alternative treatment is other than the facility providing involuntary treatment, the outpatient facility so designated to provide less restrictive alternative treatment has agreed to assume such responsibility.

[ 2022 c 210 s 11 ; 2020 c 302 s 34 ; (2020 c 302 s 33 expired January 1, 2021); 2018 c 291 s 6 ; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 14 s 17 . Prior: 2016 sp.s. c 29 s 230 ; 2016 c 155 s 5 ; 2016 c 45 s 1 ; 2015 c 250 s 6 ; 2011 c 343 s 9 ; prior: 2009 c 293 s 3 ; 2009 c 217 s 2 ; 2006 c 333 s 302 ; 1998 c 297 s 13 ; 1997 c 112 s 18 ; 1987 c 439 s 3 ; 1975 1st ex.s. c 199 s 5 ; 1974 ex.s. c 145 s 15 ; 1973 1st ex.s. c 142 s 28 .]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: The term "advanced registered nurse practitioner" was changed to "advanced practice registered nurse" by 2024 c 239 s 1, effective June 30, 2027.

Effective date — 2020 c 302 ss 13, 16, 19-23, 26, 32, 34, 36, 39, 55, 59, 76, 83, 86, 89, and 92: See note following RCW 71.05.150 .

Expiration date — 2020 c 302 ss 12, 15, 25, 31, 33, 35, 38, 54, 75, 82, 85, 88, and 91: See note following RCW 71.05.150 .

Effective date — 2018 c 291 ss 1-4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15: See note following RCW 71.05.020 .

Effective date — 2017 3rd sp.s. c 14 ss 9, 12, 14, 15, and 17-21: See note following RCW 71.05.590 .

Effective dates — 2016 sp.s. c 29: See note following RCW 71.05.760 .

Short title — Right of action — 2016 sp.s. c 29: See notes following RCW 71.05.010 .

Intent — Effective date — 2011 c 343: See notes following RCW 71.05.730 .

Finding — Purpose — Intent — Severability — Part headings not law — Effective dates — 2006 c 333: See notes following RCW 71.24.016 .

Effective dates — Severability — Intent — 1998 c 297: See notes following RCW 71.05.010 .

RCW 71.05.230

Commitment beyond initial evaluation and treatment period — Petition for fourteen day involuntary treatment or ninety days of less restrictive alternative treatment — Procedure. (Effective June 30, 2027.)

A person detained for one hundred twenty hours of evaluation and treatment may be committed for not more than fourteen additional days of involuntary intensive treatment or ninety additional days of a less restrictive alternative treatment. A petition may only be filed if the following conditions are met:

(1)The professional staff of the facility providing evaluation services has analyzed the person's condition and finds that the condition is caused by a behavioral health disorder and results in:

(a)A likelihood of serious harm; or

(b)the person being gravely disabled; and are prepared to testify those conditions are met; and

(2)The person has been advised of the need for voluntary treatment and the professional staff of the facility has evidence that he or she has not in good faith volunteered; and

(3)The facility providing intensive treatment is certified to provide such treatment by the department or under RCW 71.05.745 ; and

(4)(a)(i) The professional staff of the facility or the designated crisis responder has filed a petition with the court for a fourteen day involuntary detention or a ninety day less restrictive alternative. The petition must be signed by:

(A)One physician, physician assistant, or psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse; and

(B)One physician, physician assistant, psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse, or mental health professional.

(ii)If the petition is for substance use disorder treatment, the petition may be signed by a substance use disorder professional instead of a mental health professional and by an advanced practice registered nurse instead of a psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse. The persons signing the petition must have examined the person.

(b)If involuntary detention is sought the petition shall state facts that support the finding that such person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, presents a likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled and that there are no less restrictive alternatives to detention in the best interest of such person or others. The petition shall state specifically that less restrictive alternative treatment was considered and specify why treatment less restrictive than detention is not appropriate. If an involuntary less restrictive alternative is sought, the petition shall state facts that support the finding that such person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled and shall set forth any recommendations for less restrictive alternative treatment services; and

(5)A copy of the petition has been served on the detained person, his or her attorney, and his or her guardian, if any, prior to the probable cause hearing; and

(6)The court at the time the petition was filed and before the probable cause hearing has appointed counsel to represent such person if no other counsel has appeared; and

(7)The petition reflects that the person was informed of the loss of firearm rights if involuntarily committed for mental health treatment; and

(8)At the conclusion of the initial commitment period, the professional staff of the agency or facility or the designated crisis responder may petition for an additional period of either 90 days of less restrictive alternative treatment or 90 days of involuntary intensive treatment as provided in RCW 71.05.290 ; and

(9)If the hospital or facility designated to provide less restrictive alternative treatment is other than the facility providing involuntary treatment, the outpatient facility so designated to provide less restrictive alternative treatment has agreed to assume such responsibility.

[ 2025 c 58 s 5150 ; 2022 c 210 s 11 ; 2020 c 302 s 34 ; (2020 c 302 s 33 expired January 1, 2021); 2018 c 291 s 6 ; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 14 s 17 . Prior: 2016 sp.s. c 29 s 230 ; 2016 c 155 s 5 ; 2016 c 45 s 1 ; 2015 c 250 s 6 ; 2011 c 343 s 9 ; prior: 2009 c 293 s 3 ; 2009 c 217 s 2 ; 2006 c 333 s 302 ; 1998 c 297 s 13 ; 1997 c 112 s 18 ; 1987 c 439 s 3 ; 1975 1st ex.s. c 199 s 5 ; 1974 ex.s. c 145 s 15 ; 1973 1st ex.s. c 142 s 28 .]

Notes:

Effective date — 2025 c 58 ss 5058-5170: See note following RCW 7.68.030 .

Explanatory note — 2025 c 58: See note following RCW 1.16.050 .