.. .Behavioral Disorders in Youth
Newsworthy Legislation
Track new legislation being drafted that affects children's mental health & juvenile justice both nationally and locally in the State of Washington. To see past legislation, please take a look at our "Archived News" page.
Improving Behavioral Health Services Provided to Adults in Washington State, SB 5243 (Washington State) requires that Washington state define outcomes for adult behavioral health services, increase use of evidence based, research-based, and promising practices for the provision of adult behavioral health services, implement a strategy for the improvement of the adult behavioral health system, review the provision of forensic mental health services, procure enhanced facility services, and require timely hospital discharge under the involuntary treatment act when a person no longer requires active psychiatric treatment in a hospital.
An Act Relating to the Access to Juvenile Records, HB 1651 (Washington State) amends RCW 13.50.050 and 10.97.050 to address the confidentiality of certain juvenile court records. Prohibits certain confidential juvenile offense records from being published, distributed, or sold.
Extended Foster Care Services, HB 1302 and SB 5405 (Washington State) expands the eligibility criteria which may allow youth to request extended foster care services. Modifies the procedures for the court's dismissal of dependency cases once a youth turns age 18 and for the youth's request for extended foster care services.
Providing for Juvenile Mental Health Diversion and Disposition Strategies, HB 1524 (Washington State) authorizes law enforcement to take a juvenile to a crisis stabilization unit or triage facility where the juvenile has committed a non-serious offense, the officer believes that the juvenile suffers from a mental health disorder, and law enforcement, the local prosecutor, and the mental health provide have previously agreed upon the location. Permits a juvenile to have up to three diversion agreements before an information must be filed for an alleged offense. Permits a court that has granted a deferred disposition to require a juvenile to undergo a mental health or substance abuse evaluation and impose treatment as a condition of supervision (HB Analysis 2013)
Regarding Long-Term Suspension or Expulsion from School, SB 5155 (Washington State) a new section added to chapter 28A.600 RCW providing a plan to provide academic services during the suspension or expulsion; and a plan for the student's re-entry into school.
Regarding School Suspensions and Expulsions, SB 5244 Washington State) modifies provisions governing school district suspensions and expulsions.
Regarding the Collection of Student Suspension and Expulsion Data, SB 5245 (Washington State) implements accessibility, disaggregation, and review requirements for student suspension and expulsion data collected by the K-12 data governance group.
Regarding Student Suspension and Expulsion, SB 5301 (Washington State) implements accessibility, disaggregation, and review requirements for student suspension and expulsion data collected by the K-12 data governance group. Requires the K-12 data governance group to examine the data collected under the behavior infraction subgroup and create at least four additional behavior infraction codes including defiance, disruption, cell phone violations, and gang activity. Requires the superintendent of public instruction and the state school directors' association to meet with a group of stakeholders to develop a handbook and model policy for school districts to implement changes to suspension and expulsion policies.
Establishing the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee, SB 5308 (Washington State) establishes the commercially sexually exploited children statewide coordinating committee to address the issue of children who are commercially sexually exploited.
Concerning the Use of Nonconviction Records for Employment and Housing Opportunities, HB 1497 and SB 5341 (Washington State) requests the supreme court to adopt court rules that limit public access to nonconvition records. Prohibits certain employers and landlords from considering nonconviction data on employment and rental applications.