Discharge of person from treatment entity—Notice to designated crisis responder office.
(1) Whenever a person who is the subject of an involuntary commitment order under this chapter is discharged from an evaluation and treatment facility, state hospital, secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility, or approved substance use disorder treatment program providing involuntary treatment services, the entity discharging the person shall provide notice of the person's discharge, subject to federal laws and regulations, to the designated crisis responder office responsible for the initial commitment, which may be a tribe or other Indian health care provider if the designated crisis responder is appointed by the authority, and the designated crisis responder office that serves the county in which the person is expected to reside or to the tribal contact listed in the authority's tribal crisis coordination plan if the entity discharging the person knows, or has reason to know, that the person is an American Indian or Alaska Native who receives medical or behavioral health services from a tribe within this state. The entity discharging the person must also provide these offices with a copy of any less restrictive order or conditional release order entered in conjunction with the discharge of the person, unless the entity discharging the person has entered into a memorandum of understanding obligating another entity to provide these documents.
(2) The notice and documents referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be provided as soon as possible and no later than one business day following the discharge of the person. Notice is not required under this section if the discharge is for the purpose of transferring the person for continued detention and treatment under this chapter at another treatment facility.
(3) The authority shall maintain and make available an updated list of contact information for designated crisis responder offices around the state.
(4) A facility providing substance use disorder services must attempt to obtain a release of information before discharge to meet the notification requirements of subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2024 c 209 s 21; 2020 c 256 s 306; 2019 c 446 s 26; 2018 c 201 s 3020; 2016 sp.s. c 29 s 246; 2010 c 280 s 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.
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.