Section 388-865-0820. Triage facility—Memo of understanding and other requirements.

This section applies to a facility that elects to operate as a triage involuntary placement facility.

(1) Memo of understanding requirements. The facility must have a memo of understanding developed in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, which details the population that the facility has capacity to serve. The memo of understanding must include, at a minimum, a description of the facility's:

(a) Capacity to serve individuals with medication, medical and/or accommodation needs;

(b) Capacity to serve individuals with behavioral management needs;

(c) Ability to provide seclusion and/or restraint to individuals (see WAC 388-865-0830);

(d) Notification procedures for discharge of individuals (see WAC 388-865-0850); and

(e) Procedures for notifying the appropriate law enforcement agency of an individual's release, transfer, or hold for up to twelve hours to allow the peace officer to reclaim the individual.

(2) Individuals brought to a triage involuntary placement facility by a peace officer. The facility must have written procedures to assure the following:

(a) An individual detained by the designated mental health professional (DMHP) under chapter 71.05 RCW with a confirmed admission date to an evaluation and treatment facility, may remain at the triage facility until admitted to the evaluation and treatment facility.

(i) The individual may not be detained to the triage facility; and

(ii) An individual who agrees to a voluntary stay must provide a signature that documents the agreement.

(b) The individual is examined by a mental health professional (MHP) within three hours of the individual's arrival at the facility, and the examination includes an assessment to determine if a designated mental health professional (DMHP) evaluation is also required.

(c) If it is determined a DMHP evaluation is required, the DMHP must evaluate the individual within twelve hours of arrival. The DMHP determines whether the individual:

(i) Meets detention criteria under chapter 71.05 RCW; or

(ii) Agrees to accept voluntary admission. The individual must provide a signature agreeing to voluntary treatment.

(3) Individuals involuntarily admitted to a triage involuntary placement facility based on a peace officer-initiated twelve-hour hold. The facility must ensure each involuntarily admitted individual's clinical record:

(a) Documents the date and time the individual arrived at the facility and the date and time the examination by the mental health professional (MHP) occurred. The examination must occur within three hours of the individual's arrival to the facility (see WAC 388-865-0840(2)).

(b) Documents the peace officer's:

(i) Determination for cause to have the individual transported to the facility;

(ii) Request to be notified if the individual leaves the facility and how the peace officer is to be contacted, or documentation of other person(s) permitted to be contacted, such as the shift supervisor of the law enforcement agency or dispatcher; and

(iii) Request that the individual be held for the duration of the twelve hours to allow the peace officer sufficient time to return and make a determination as to whether or not to take the individual into custody.

(c) Contains a copy of the evaluation if the individual is determined by a designated mental health professional (DMHP) to meet detention criteria under chapter 71.05 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 71.05.020, 71.05.150, 71.05.153, 71.24.035, and 2011 c 148. WSR 12-19-039, § 388-865-0820, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12.]

RCW 71.05.020, 71.05.150, 71.05.153, 71.24.035, and 2011 c 148. WSR 12-19-039, § 388-865-0820, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12.

Rules

388-865-0830,388-865-0850,388-865-0840,