Mental Health Legislative Priorities

Maintain Services for People with Mental Illness Leaving Prisons

The Community Integration Assistance Program (originally named the "Dangerous Mentally Ill Offender Program") was initiated by the 1999 Legislature through SSB 5011 to improve the process of identifying mentally ill offenders released from the Department of Corrections (DOC) who pose a threat to public safety, and to provide these offenders with treatment and services for up to five years in the community. Funding provided to the Regional Support Network (RSN) or agency for each person served is $700 per month for Medicaid-eligible participants and $900 per month for those not on Medicaid. The reimbursement rate has not increased since the program began in 2000, despite an enormous increase in housing and other costs. In many cases, especially in King County, the cost of housing alone exceeds the reimbursement received from the state that is meant to cover all costs. The benefit-cost analysis in the 2007 Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) report indicated that the reductions in Dangerous Mentally Ill Offender recidivism generated financial benefits to taxpayers that were less than program costs. An increase in the allocation for this program is needed in order to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the program, and a special allowance is needed to cover the high cost of housing in King County. Learn more.

Exempt Involuntary Commitment Petitions from Filing Fee Charges

County clerks have not generally collected these fees in the past, but have now begun charging $200 per petition filed. This is in addition to the fees already collected to meet the actual costs of processing petitions. In King County, this means an additional $400,000 in non-Medicaid funding must be diverted from paying for mental health services. Too much of mental health funding is already going to pay the legal costs associated with involuntary commitment. Amend Chapters 36.18, 70.96A, 71.05, and 71.34 RCW to eliminate any fees for the filing of petitions under these statutes. Learn more.

Support Changes in the Criminal Insanity Statute (Chapter 10.77 RCW)

In December 2006, the Washington State Mental Health Division (MHD) initiated a work group consisting of representatives from Eastern and Western State Hospitals, MHD, King County District and Superior Courts, the King County Office of the Public Defender, public defense agencies in King County, the King County RSN, Seattle City Attorney, King County Prosecuting Attorney, Jail Health Services, and others to come up with recommendations for changes to the competency process as set forth in Chapter 10.77 RCW. The work group agreed on a number of changes that would result in efficiencies in the competency process that will reduce the time individuals with mental illness spend in jail without reducing public safety and while lowering the costs associated with the competency evaluation and restoration processes. There was not sufficient time during the 2008 legislative session to make a few revisions requested by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. This important legislation should be passed this session. Learn more.