DSHS Offers New Guidance Regarding Referring Family Members for Mental Health Services

For your information, a new document for families/guardians, How to File a Petition to Detain a Family Member, is posted on the BHSIA Mental Health Services webpage, under Information for Clients and Families.  This information may be useful for staff who field mental health complaints, questions and concerns from families.

Here is a brief description of what DSHS and RSNs/agencies are required to do under this bill, from Tony O’Leary, DBHR Compliance Manager:

ESSB 5269 (“Joel’s Law”) requires that “….The department (DSHS) and each regional support network or agency employing designated mental health professionals shall publish information in an easily accessible format describing the process for an immediate family member, guardian, or conservator to petition for court review of a detention decision under section 2 of this act.” The effective date of the bill is July 24.

The posted document is the same information that will be given to families by superior court clerks when they seek to petition under the bill.  Feel free to contact Tony with any questions:  anthony.oleary@dshs.wa.gov.