(1) To encourage economies of scale in the siting and operation of secure community transition facilities, the department may enter into an agreement with two or more counties to create a regional secure community transition facility. The agreement must clearly identify the number of beds from each county that will be contained in the regional secure community transition facility. The agreement must specify which county must contain the regional secure community transition facility and the facility must be sited accordingly. No county may withdraw from an agreement under this section unless it has provided an alternative acceptable secure community transition facility to house any displaced residents that meets the criteria established for such facilities in this chapter and the guidelines established by the department.

(2) A regional secure community transition facility must meet the criteria established for secure community transition facilities in this chapter and the guidelines established by the department.

(3) The department shall count the beds identified for each participating county in a regional secure community transition facility against the maximum number of beds that could be required for each county under RCW 71.09.250(7)(a).

(4) An agreement for a regional secure community transition facility does not alter the maximum number of beds for purposes of the incentive grants under RCW 71.09.255 for the county containing the regional facility.

Purpose—Severability—Effective date—2002 c 68: See notes following RCW 36.70A.200.