(1) When a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the individual has committed acts constituting a nonfelony crime that is not a serious offense as identified in RCW 10.77.092 and the individual is known by history or consultation with the regional support network to suffer from a mental disorder, the arresting officer may:

     (a) Take the individual to a crisis stabilization unit as defined in RCW 71.05.020(6). Individuals delivered to a crisis stabilization unit pursuant to this section may be held by the facility for a period of up to twelve hours: PROVIDED, that they are examined by a mental health professional within three hours of their arrival;

     (b) Refer the individual to a mental health professional for evaluation for initial detention and proceeding under chapter 71.05 RCW; or

     (c) Release the individual upon agreement to voluntary participation in outpatient treatment.

     (2) In deciding whether to refer the individual to treatment under this section, the police officer shall be guided by standards mutually agreed upon with the prosecuting authority, which address, at a minimum, the length, seriousness, and recency of the known criminal history of the individual, the mental health history of the individual, where available, and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the alleged offense.

     (3) Any agreement to participate in treatment shall not require individuals to stipulate to any of the alleged facts regarding the criminal activity as a prerequisite to participation in a mental health treatment alternative. The agreement is inadmissible in any criminal or civil proceeding. The agreement does not create immunity from prosecution for the alleged criminal activity.

     (4) If an individual violates such agreement and the mental health treatment alternative is no longer appropriate:

     (a) The mental health provider shall inform the referring law enforcement agency of the violation; and

     (b) The original charges may be filed or referred to the prosecutor, as appropriate, and the matter may proceed accordingly.

     (5) The police officer is immune from liability for any good faith conduct under this section.

[2007 c 375 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Purpose -- 2007 c 375: "The legislature finds that *RCW 10.77.090 contains laws relating to three discrete subjects. Therefore, one purpose of this act is to reorganize some of those laws by creating new sections in the Revised Code of Washington that clarify and identify these discrete subjects.

     The legislature further finds that there are disproportionate numbers of individuals with mental illness in jail. The needs of individuals with mental illness and the public safety needs of society at large are better served when individuals with mental illness are provided an opportunity to obtain treatment and support." [2007 c 375 § 1.]

     *Reviser's note: RCW 10.77.090 was repealed by 2007 c 375 § 17. For later enactment, see RCW 10.77.084, 10.77.086, and 10.77.088.

     Construction -- 2007 c 375: "Nothing in this act shall be construed to alter or diminish a prosecutor's inherent authority to divert or pursue the prosecution of criminal offenders." [2007 c 375 § 16.]

Severability -- 2007 c 375: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2007 c 375 § 18.]