RCW 70.96B.050
Petition for initial detention -- Order to detain for evaluation and treatment period -- Procedure.

(1) 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.

     (2)(a) An order to detain to an evaluation and treatment facility, a detoxification facility, or other certified chemical dependency provider for not more than a seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment period may be issued by a judge upon request of a designated crisis responder: (i) Whenever it appears to the satisfaction of a judge of the superior court, district court, or other court permitted by court rule, that there is probable cause to support the petition, and (ii) that the person has refused or failed to accept appropriate evaluation and treatment voluntarily.

     (b) The petition for initial detention, signed under penalty of perjury or sworn telephonic testimony, may be considered by the court in determining whether there are sufficient grounds for issuing the order.

     (c) The order shall 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.

     (3) 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. If requested by the detained person or his or her attorney, the hearing may be postponed for a period not to exceed forty-eight hours. The hearing may be continued subject to the petitioner's showing of good cause for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours. The person may 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.

     (4) The designated crisis responder 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. 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.

[2008 c 320 § 5; 2007 c 120 § 1; 2005 c 504 § 206.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2007 c 120: See note following RCW 70.96B.045.

     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.