(1) If the court or jury finds that grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280 have been proven and that the best interests of the person or others will not be served by a less restrictive treatment which is an alternative to detention, the court shall remand him or her to the custody of the department or to a facility certified for ninety day treatment by the department for a further period of intensive treatment not to exceed ninety days from the date of judgment. If the grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280(3) are the basis of commitment, then the period of treatment may be up to but not exceed one hundred eighty days from the date of judgment in a facility certified for one hundred eighty day treatment by the department.

     (2) If the court or jury finds that grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280 have been proven, but finds that treatment less restrictive than detention will be in the best interest of the person or others, then the court shall remand him or her to the custody of the department or to a facility certified for ninety day treatment by the department or to a less restrictive alternative for a further period of less restrictive treatment not to exceed ninety days from the date of judgment. If the grounds set forth in RCW 71.05.280(3) are the basis of commitment, then the period of treatment may be up to but not exceed one hundred eighty days from the date of judgment.

     (3) The person shall be released from involuntary treatment at the expiration of the period of commitment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section unless the superintendent or professional person in charge of the facility in which he or she is confined, or in the event of a less restrictive alternative, the designated mental health professional, files a new petition for involuntary treatment on the grounds that the committed person:

     (a) During the current period of court ordered treatment: (i) Has threatened, attempted, or inflicted physical harm upon the person of another, or substantial damage upon the property of another, and (ii) as a result of mental disorder or developmental disability presents a likelihood of serious harm; or

     (b) Was taken into custody as a result of conduct in which he or she attempted or inflicted serious physical harm upon the person of another, and continues to present, as a result of mental disorder or developmental disability a likelihood of serious harm; or

     (c) Is in custody pursuant to RCW 71.05.280(3) and as a result of mental disorder or developmental disability presents a substantial likelihood of repeating similar acts considering the charged criminal behavior, life history, progress in treatment, and the public safety; or

     (d) Continues to be gravely disabled.

     If the conduct required to be proven in (b) and (c) of this subsection was found by a judge or jury in a prior trial under this chapter, it shall not be necessary to prove such conduct again.

     (4) For a person committed under subsection (2) of this section who has been remanded to a period of less restrictive treatment, in addition to the grounds specified in subsection (3) of this section, the designated mental health professional may file a new petition for continued less restrictive treatment if:

     (a) The person was previously committed by a court to detention for involuntary mental health treatment during the thirty-six months that preceded the person's initial detention date during the current involuntary commitment cycle, excluding any time spent in a mental health facility or in confinement as a result of a criminal conviction;

     (b) In view of the person's treatment history or current behavior, the person is unlikely to voluntarily participate in outpatient treatment without an order for less restrictive treatment; and

     (c) Outpatient treatment that would be provided under a less restrictive treatment order is necessary to prevent a relapse, decompensation, or deterioration that is likely to result in the person presenting a likelihood of serious harm or the person becoming gravely disabled within a reasonably short period of time.

     (5) A new petition for involuntary treatment filed under subsection (3) or (4) of this section shall be filed and heard in the superior court of the county of the facility which is filing the new petition for involuntary treatment unless good cause is shown for a change of venue. The cost of the proceedings shall be borne by the state.

     (6) The hearing shall be held as provided in RCW 71.05.310, and if the court or jury finds that the grounds for additional confinement as set forth in this section are present, the court may order the committed person returned for an additional period of treatment not to exceed one hundred eighty days from the date of judgment. At the end of the one hundred eighty day period of commitment, the committed person shall be released unless a petition for another one hundred eighty day period of continued treatment is filed and heard in the same manner as provided in this section. Successive one hundred eighty day commitments are permissible on the same grounds and pursuant to the same procedures as the original one hundred eighty day commitment. However, a commitment is not permissible under subsection (4) of this section if thirty-six months have passed since the last date of discharge from detention for inpatient treatment that preceded the current less restrictive alternative order, nor shall a commitment under subsection (4) of this section be permissible if the likelihood of serious harm in subsection (4)(c) of this section is based solely on harm to the property of others.

     (7) No person committed as provided in this section may be detained unless a valid order of commitment is in effect. No order of commitment can exceed one hundred eighty days in length.

[2009 c 323 § 2; 2008 c 213 § 9; 2006 c 333 § 304; 1999 c 13 § 7; 1997 c 112 § 26; 1989 c 420 § 15; 1986 c 67 § 5; 1979 ex.s. c 215 § 15; 1975 1st ex.s. c 199 § 9; 1974 ex.s. c 145 § 23; 1973 1st ex.s. c 142 § 37.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2009 c 323: "(1) The legislature finds that many persons who are released from involuntary mental health treatment in an inpatient setting would benefit from an order for less restrictive treatment in order to provide the structure and support necessary to facilitate long-term stability and success in the community.

     (2) The legislature intends to make it easier to renew orders for less restrictive treatment following a period of inpatient commitment in cases in which a person has been involuntarily committed more than once and is likely to benefit from a renewed order for less restrictive treatment.

     (3) The legislature finds that public safety is enhanced when a designated mental health professional is able to file a petition to revoke an order for less restrictive treatment under RCW 71.05.340 before a person who is the subject of the petition becomes ill enough to present a likelihood of serious harm." [2009 c 323 § 1.]

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

     Purpose -- Construction -- 1999 c 13: See note following RCW 10.77.010.