The secretary shall license or certify mental health peer-run respite centers that meet state minimum standards. In consultation with the authority and the department of social and health services, the secretary must:

Washington Code 71.24.025

(1) Establish requirements for licensed and certified community behavioral health agencies to provide mental health peer-run respite center services and establish physical plant and service requirements to provide voluntary, short-term, noncrisis services that focus on recovery and wellness;

(2) Require licensed and certified agencies to partner with the local crisis system including, but not limited to, evaluation and treatment facilities and designated crisis responders;

(3) Establish staffing requirements, including rules to ensure that facilities are peer-run;

(4) Limit services to a maximum of seven days in a month;

(5) Limit services to individuals who are experiencing psychiatric distress, but do not meet legal criteria for involuntary hospitalization under chapter 71.05 RCW; and

(6) Limit services to persons at least eighteen years of age.

Findings—Intent—2021 c 302: See note following RCW 71.24.890.

Mental health drop-in center services pilot program—2019 c 324: “(1) The health care authority shall establish a pilot program to provide mental health drop-in center services. The mental health drop-in center services shall provide a peer-focused recovery model during daytime hours through a community-based, therapeutic, less restrictive alternative to hospitalization for acute psychiatric needs. The program shall assist clients in need of voluntary, short-term, noncrisis services that focus on recovery and wellness. Clients may refer themselves, be brought to the center by law enforcement, be brought to the center by family members, or be referred by an emergency department.

(2) The pilot program shall be conducted in the largest city in a regional service area that has at least nine counties. Funds to support the pilot program shall be distributed through the behavioral health administrative service organization that serves the pilot program.

(3) The pilot program shall begin on January 1, 2020, and conclude July 1, 2022.

(4) By December 1, 2020, the health care authority shall submit a preliminary report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature. The preliminary report shall include a survey of peer mental health programs that are operating in the state, including the location, type of services offered, and number of clients served. By December 1, 2021, the health care authority shall report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of the pilot program. The report shall include information about the number of clients served, the needs of the clients, the method of referral for the clients, and recommendations on how to expand the program statewide, including any recommendations to account for different needs in urban and rural areas.” [ 2019 c 324 § 12.]

Findings—Intent—2019 c 324: See note following RCW 71.24.648.

Report—2019 c 324: See note following RCW 70.38.111.

Recommendations—Residential intensive behavioral health and developmental disability services—2019 c 324: See note following RCW 74.39A.030.