Involuntary Treatment Act for Substance Use Disorders in Washington StateâFirst Preliminary Report

(ITA).1 WSIPP is required to “evaluate the effect of the The legislation required the Washington integration of the involuntary treatment systems State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to for substance use disorders and mental health.” evaluate the changes resulting from Ricky’s Law,2 including: In this report, we examine the broad changes to Washington’s ITA for SUDs that resulted from • Clien. [...] Background In this Section, we describe behavioral The behavioral health purchasing law health integration in Washington, outline affected key aspects of the state’s Medicaid the main components of the involuntary program—Apple Health—administered by treatment system, and discuss the impacts the Health Care Authority (HCA).4 The of Ricky’s Law for involuntary behavioral legislation authorized HCA. [...] The purpose of the ITA facilities evaluate and stabilize SUD patients investigation is to determine whether the in a crisis through a range of services individual meets the legal criteria for an including secure detox with medical emergent detention.26 The DCR conducts an professionals, evaluation, and treatment. [...] If the patient is to continue in treatment beyond the initial Facilities first become involved in the ITA process detention period, a petition is filed with the when a DCR calls to inquire if a treatment bed is superior court for commitment to additional available.29 If a bed is available, the DCR may inpatient treatment up to 14 days, or to refer the patient to the facility. [...] Research Plan and Next Steps Ricky’s Law requires WSIPP to evaluate the impacts of integrating the ITA system (see WSIPP Study Assignment sidebar).37 This multifaceted law, discussed Evaluate the effect of the integration of the in Section I, was implemented during a involuntary treatment systems for substance use transformative era of integrating physical disorders and mental health and make prel.