Title 71 — Title 71 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to …

With respect to sexual psychopaths, this chapter applies only to crimes or offenses committed before July 1, 1984.[ 1984 c 209 s 27.]Notes:Effective dates—1984 c 209: See note following RCW 9.94A.030.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:"Psychopathic personality" means the existence in any person of such hereditary, congenital, or acquired condition affecting the emotional or volitional rather than the intellectual field and manifeste…

Where any person is charged in the superior court in this state with a sex offense and it appears that such person is a sexual psychopath, the prosecuting attorney may file a petition in the criminal proceeding, alleging that the defendant is a sexual psychopath and stating suffi…

The court shall proceed to hear the criminal charge. If the defendant is convicted or has previously pleaded guilty to such charge, judgment shall be pronounced, but the execution of the sentence may be deferred or suspended, as in other criminal cases, and the court shall then p…

At a preliminary hearing upon the charge of sexual psychopathy, the court may require the testimony of two duly licensed physicians, physician assistants, or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners who have examined the defendant. If the court finds that there are rea…

Upon completion of said observation period, the superintendent of the state hospital shall return the defendant to the court, together with a written report of his or her findings as to whether or not the defendant is a sexual psychopath and the facts upon which his or her opinio…

After the superintendent's report has been filed, the court shall determine whether or not the defendant is a sexual psychopath. If said defendant is found to be a sexual psychopath, the court shall commit him or her to the secretary of social and health services for designation …

A jury may be demanded to determine the question of sexual psychopathy upon hearing after return of the superintendent's report. Such demand must be in writing and filed with the court within ten days after filing of the petition alleging the defendant to be a sexual psychopath.[…

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to affect the procedure for the ordinary conduct of criminal trials as otherwise set up by law. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the defendant, his or her attorney, or the court of its own motion, from producing e…

A sexual psychopath committed pursuant to RCW 71.06.060 shall be retained by the superintendent of the institution involved until in the superintendent's opinion he or she is safe to be at large, or until he or she has received the maximum benefit of treatment, or is not amenable…

Where under RCW 71.06.091 the superintendent renders his or her opinion to the committing court, he or she shall provide the committing court, and, in the event of conditional release, the indeterminate sentence review board, with a copy of the hospital medical record concerning …

Time served by a sexual psychopath in a state hospital shall count as part of his or her sentence whether such sentence is pronounced before or after adjudication of his or her sexual psychopathy.[ 2012 c 117 s 437; 1959 c 25 s 71.06.120. Prior: 1951 c 223 s 13.]

Where a sexual psychopath has been conditionally released by the committing court, as provided by RCW 71.06.091 for a period of five years, the court shall review his or her record and when the court is satisfied that the sexual psychopath is safe to be at large, said sexual psyc…

In addition to any other information required to be released under this chapter, the department is authorized, pursuant to RCW 4.24.550, to release relevant information that is necessary to protect the public, concerning a specific sexual psychopath committed under this chapter.[…

The department may designate one or more state hospitals for the care and treatment of sexual psychopaths: PROVIDED, That a committed sexual psychopath who has been determined by the superintendent of such mental hospital to be a custodial risk, or a hazard to other patients may …

At any time any person is committed as a sexual psychopath the court shall, after reasonable notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing has been given to persons subject to liability under this section, inquire into and determine the financial ability of said person, or…

The records, files, and other written information prepared by the department of social and health services for individuals committed under this chapter shall be made available upon request to the department of corrections or the *board of prison terms and paroles for persons who …

The legislature finds that a small but extremely dangerous group of sexually violent predators exist who do not have a mental disease or defect that renders them appropriate for the existing involuntary treatment act, chapter 71.05 RCW, which is intended to be a short-term civil …

The legislature finds that presentation of evidence related to conditions of a less restrictive alternative that are beyond the authority of the court to order, and that would not exist in the absence of a court order, reduces the public respect for the rule of law and for the au…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1390-S.SL) ***Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Department" means the department of social and health services.(2) "Fair share principles" and "fair share principles of rel…

(1)(a) When it appears that a person may meet the criteria of a sexually violent predator as defined in RCW 71.09.020, the agency with jurisdiction shall refer the person in writing to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which an action under this chapter may be filed pursu…

(1) A petition may be filed alleging that a person is a sexually violent predator and stating sufficient facts to support such allegation when it appears that: (a) A person who at any time previously has been convicted of a sexually violent offense is about to be released from to…

(1) Whenever the prosecuting agency believes that any public agency, including any agency as defined in RCW 42.56.010, may be in possession, custody, or control of any original or copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, map, chart, photogra…

(1) Upon the filing of a petition under RCW 71.09.030, the judge shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the person named in the petition is a sexually violent predator. If such determination is made the judge shall direct that the person be taken into custo…

The following activities, unless provided as part of investigation and preparation for any hearing or trial under this chapter, are beyond the scope of representation of an attorney under contract with the office of public defense pursuant to chapter 2.70 RCW for the purposes of …

(1) Within forty-five days after the completion of any hearing held pursuant to RCW 71.09.040, the court shall conduct a trial to determine whether the person is a sexually violent predator. The trial may be continued upon the request of either party and a showing of good cause, …

(1) The office of public defense is responsible for the cost of one expert or professional person conducting an evaluation on an indigent person's behalf as provided in RCW 71.09.050, 71.09.070, or 71.09.090.(2) Expert evaluations are capped at ten thousand dollars, to include al…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 1390-S.SL) ***(1) The court or jury shall determine whether, beyond a reasonable doubt, the person is a sexually violent predator. In determining whether or not the person would be likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined i…

(1) Each person committed under this chapter shall have a current examination of his or her mental condition made by the department at least once every year.(2) The evaluator must prepare a report that includes consideration of whether:(a) The committed person currently meets the…

(1) Any person subjected to restricted liberty as a sexually violent predator pursuant to this chapter shall not forfeit any legal right or suffer any legal disability as a consequence of any actions taken or orders made, other than as specifically provided in this chapter, or as…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the secretary may enter into contracts with health care practitioners, health care facilities, and other entities or agents as may be necessary to provide basic medical care to residents. The contracts shall not cause the terminati…

(1)(a) If the secretary determines that the person's condition has so changed that the person no longer meets the definition of a sexually violent predator, the secretary shall authorize the person to petition the court for unconditional discharge. The petition shall be filed wit…

Before the court may enter an order directing conditional release to a less restrictive alternative, it must find the following: (1) The person will be treated by a treatment provider who is qualified to provide such treatment in the state of Washington under chapter 18.155 RCW; …

(1) Upon the conclusion of the evidence in a hearing held pursuant to RCW 71.09.090 or through summary judgment proceedings prior to such a hearing, if the court finds that there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find that the conditions set fort…

(1) If the court or jury determines that conditional release to a less restrictive alternative is in the best interest of the person and includes conditions that would adequately protect the community, and the court determines that the minimum conditions set forth in RCW 71.09.09…

(1) In accordance with RCW 71.09.090 and 71.09.096, the department shall have the primary responsibility for developing a less restrictive alternative placement. To ensure the department has sufficient less restrictive alternative placements to choose from that satisfy the requir…

(1) Any service provider submitting reports pursuant to RCW 71.09.096(7), the supervising community corrections officer, the prosecuting agency, or the secretary's designee may petition the court for an immediate hearing for the purpose of revoking or modifying the terms of the p…

To facilitate the primary role of the department in identifying less restrictive alternative placements under RCW 71.09.090 and discharge planning under RCW 71.09.080, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall conduct a st…

The department of social and health services shall be responsible for the costs relating to the treatment of persons committed to their custody whether in a secure facility or under a less restrictive alternative as provided in this chapter. Reimbursement may be obtained by the d…

The department of social and health services shall provide to the prosecuting agency a copy of all reports made by the department to law enforcement in which a person detained or committed under this chapter is named or listed as a suspect, witness, or victim, as well as a copy o…

A person subject to court order under the provisions of this chapter who is thereafter convicted of a criminal offense remains under the jurisdiction of the department and shall be returned to the custody of the department following: (1) Completion of the criminal sentence; or (2…

(1) The safety and security needs of the secure facility operated by the department of social and health services pursuant to RCW 71.09.060(1) make it vital that employees working in the facility meet necessary character, suitability, and competency qualifications. The secretary …

(1) In addition to any other information required to be released under this chapter, the department is authorized, pursuant to RCW 4.24.550, to release relevant information that is necessary to protect the public, concerning a specific sexually violent predator committed under th…

(1) In the event of an escape by a person committed under this chapter from a state institution or the disappearance of such a person while on conditional release, the superintendent or community corrections officer shall notify the following as appropriate: Local law enforcement…

The emergency response team for McNeil Island shall plan, coordinate, and respond in the event of an escape from the special commitment center or the secure community transition facility.[ 2003 c 216 s 6.]Notes:Severability—Effective date—2003 c 216: See notes following RCW 71.09…

(1)(a) At the earliest possible date, and in no event later than 30 days before conditional release, change of address for a person on conditional release, or unconditional discharge, except in the event of escape, the department of social and health services shall send written n…

For purposes of RCW 71.09.210 through 71.09.230:(1) "Escorted leave" means a leave of absence from a facility housing persons detained or committed pursuant to this chapter under the continuous supervision of an escort.(2) "Escort" means a correctional officer or other person app…

The superintendent of any facility housing persons detained or committed pursuant to this chapter may, subject to the approval of the secretary, grant escorted leaves of absence to residents confined in such institutions to:(1) Go to the bedside of the resident's wife, husband, c…

A resident shall not be allowed to start a leave of absence under RCW 71.09.210 until the secretary, or the secretary's designee, has notified any county and city law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area of the resident's destination.[ 1995 c 216 s 20.]