Washington HB1218 establishes a growth cap system for inpatient competency services and creates a behavioral health diversion fund.

Washington HB1218 mandates the Department of Social and Health Services to implement a growth cap system for managing inpatient competency orders. This includes setting a baseline cap for each county based on the average number of inpatient competency orders in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Counties exceeding this baseline must pay penalties to the Department, which are deposited into the newly created behavioral health diversion fund. This fund supports services preventing individuals with behavioral health needs from entering the criminal justice system or diverting them once incarcerated.

Washington HB1218 establishes a growth cap system for inpatient competency services and creates a behavioral health diversion fund.

Washington HB1218 mandates the Department of Social and Health Services to implement a growth cap system for managing inpatient competency orders. This includes setting a baseline cap for each county based on the average number of inpatient competency orders in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Counties exceeding this baseline must pay penalties to the Department, which are deposited into the newly created behavioral health diversion fund. This fund supports services preventing individuals with behavioral health needs from entering the criminal justice system or diverting them once incarcerated.