Washington state Reps. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, and Travis Couture, R-Allyn, both of the 35th Legislative District, introduced House Bill 1787 on Monday, Feb. 3.
The bill, according to a release by the Washington State House Republicans, would change criteria of the Washington state Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) and “aims to double the state's capacity of secure detox beds” in certain communities. The changes to Washington’s ITA would allow involuntary holds in secure detox facilities.
“House Bill 1787 requires the Legislature to fully implement standards of SB 5720, passed in 2020, which would change the criteria to meet the threshold under Washington's Involuntary Treatment Act,” the lawmakers stated in a news release. “This change allows civil holds for treatment in secure detox facilities for those struggling with such extreme substance use order that they are considered an immediate danger to the community or themselves.”
According to the lawmakers, part of the problem is the lack of secure detox facilities and beds to meet the needs of all communities across the state. Their legislation “aims to double the state's capacity of secure detox beds in communities most impacted by the drug crisis with additional funding for new treatment facilities,” according to the release.
The Involuntary Treatment Act provides for court-ordered mental health or substance abuse disorder treatment. It can be enacted when a person is deemed a danger to themselves, others or others’ property or if the individual is gravely disabled.
It is pitched by the House Republicans as a direct response to increasing overdose deaths in the state.
“Last year, nearly 3,600 people in our state overdosed in Washington state," Couture stated in a news release Monday, Feb.10. "That is a 14% increase from the previous year, and the numbers continue to grow. Sadly, many of those in the throes of addiction die needlessly.”
The bill was referred to the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and awaits a public hearing.
