22 Washington counties sue state over behavioral health care

A coalition of county governments across Washington are suing the state Department of Social and Health Services, accusing the agency of failing to provide behavioral health treatment and evaluations to patients exiting the criminal justice system.

The 22 counties, including King, Snohomish and Pierce, filed the lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court Wednesday. The suit alleges that the agency is selectively refusing to evaluate and commit civil conversion patients — criminal defendants who are unfit to stand trial and are committed to a state facility.

“Refusing to admit and indiscriminately releasing those with serious behavioral health issues – who were previously charged with felony crimes – without providing necessary treatment or proper notice to local authorities and crime victims is a clear dereliction of duty by DSHS," King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said in a news release.

The suit follows a $100 million fine levied last month against the agency by a federal judge for breaking an order to provide timely care to a different set of patients: those with mental illness in the state's jails. With limited beds, DSHS has said its requirement to follow the federal order means it no longer needs to evaluate or treat civil conversion patients whose charges are dismissed.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2023/08/23/dshs-lawsuit-washington.html