70.96B.090 - Procedures for additional chemical dependency treatment.

Procedures for additional chemical dependency treatment.

(1) A person detained for seventy-two hour evaluation and treatment under RCW 70.96B.050 or 70.96A.120 may be detained for not more than fourteen additional days of involuntary chemical dependency treatment if there are beds available at the secure detoxification facility and the following conditions are met:

     (a) The professional person in charge of the agency or facility or the person's designee providing evaluation and treatment services in a secure detoxification facility has assessed the person's condition and finds that the condition is caused by chemical dependency and either results in a likelihood of serious harm or in the detained person being gravely disabled, and the professional person or his or her designee is prepared to testify those conditions are met;

     (b) The person has been advised of the need for voluntary treatment and the professional person in charge of the agency or facility or his or her designee has evidence that he or she has not in good faith volunteered for treatment; and

     (c) The professional person in charge of the agency or facility or the person's designee has filed a petition for fourteen-day involuntary detention with the superior court, district court, or other court permitted by court rule. The petition must be signed by the chemical dependency professional who has examined the person.

     (2) The petition under subsection (1)(c) of this section shall be accompanied by a certificate of a licensed physician who has examined the person, unless the person whose commitment is sought has refused to submit to a medical examination, in which case the fact of refusal shall be alleged in the petition. The certificate shall set forth the licensed physician's findings in support of the allegations of the petition. A physician employed by the petitioning program or the department is eligible to be the certifying physician.

     (3) The petition shall state facts that support the finding that the person, as a result of chemical dependency, 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 the 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.

     (4) A copy of the petition shall be served on the detained person, his or her attorney, and his or her guardian or conservator, if any, before the probable cause hearing.

     (5)(a) The court shall inform the person whose commitment is sought of his or her right to contest the petition, be represented by counsel at every stage of any proceedings relating to his or her commitment, and have counsel appointed by the court or provided by the court, if he or she wants the assistance of counsel and is unable to obtain counsel. If the court believes that the person needs the assistance of counsel, the court shall require, by appointment if necessary, counsel for him or her regardless of his or her wishes. The person shall, if he or she is financially able, bear the costs of such legal service; otherwise such legal service shall be at public expense. The person whose commitment is sought shall be informed of his or her right to be examined by a licensed physician of his or her choice. If the person is unable to obtain a licensed physician and requests examination by a physician, the court shall appoint a reasonably available licensed physician designated by the person.

     (b) At the conclusion of the probable cause hearing, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the person, as the result of chemical dependency, presents a likelihood of serious harm or is gravely disabled and, after considering less restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention and treatment, finds that no such alternatives are in the best interest of such person or others, the court shall order that the person be detained for involuntary chemical dependency treatment not to exceed fourteen days in a secure detoxification facility.

[2005 c 504 § 210.]

Notes: 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.