Official Text and Analysis.

• Revises the definition of "in need of assisted outpatient behavioral health treatment" under the Involuntary Treatment Act. • Establishes a new procedure for designated persons to directly file a petition in superior court for up to 18 months of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT), and establishes requirements and procedures for the petition process.

Amends criteria used to find that a person is in need of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). Allows an AOT petition to be filed by the designee of the director of a hospital or behavioral health service provider. Eliminates review of AOT petition by the prosecutor and the obligation of the prosecutor to effectuate service of an AOT petition or schedule an AOT hearing and instead requires the court to fix a hearing date 3 to 7 days after the date of service or as stipulated by the parties but no later than 30 days. Allows the court to conduct an AOT hearing in the respondent's absence if the respondent fails to appear and is represented by counsel. Allows the court to order a mental examination of the respondent if the respondent previously refused to be examined by a qualified professional. Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop court forms and a User's Guide for filing an AOT petition. Allows a court to order partial hospitalization and/or intensive outpatient treatment as part of a less restrictive alternative order, including for an adolescent. Changes terminology in involuntary commitment statutes from written order for apprehension to warrant. Specifies that involuntary commitment hearing outcomes which must be shared by the clerk of the court are limited to commitment hearings. Specifies that a peace officer's obligation to provide assistance to an involuntary commitment civil process includes taking a person into custody who a designated crisis responder has determined meets the criteria for detention, who the peace office has reasonable cause to believe may have a behavioral health disorder and may present an imminent likelihood of serious harm or may be in imminent danger due to being gravely disabled, and to execute or enforce an order to detain, apprehend, or a warrant, and that officers must support the safety of a crisis intervention team, designated crisis responder, or other behavioral health professional responding to an incident or performing other duties relating to involuntary commitment as part of de-escalation tactics. Requires the behavioral health administrative services organization, instead of the prosecutor, to provide notice to the tribe and Indian health care provider regarding the filing of an assistant outpatient treatment petition concerning a person who is an American Indian or Alaska Native who receives medical or behavioral health services from a tribe within the state of Washington.

Removes provisions relating to clarifying a peace officer's obligation to provide assistance and use de-escalation tactics in the context of involuntary commitment proceedings.

House concurred in Senate amendments. Passed final passage.