Bill > HB1272

This bill extends and modifies the program addressing complex cases of children in crisis by renaming the position from "children and youth multisystem care coordinator" to "project director" and extending the program's expiration date from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2027. The bill maintains the requirement for the governor to oversee a rapid care team that helps children in crisis by identifying appropriate services and living arrangements, with a broad range of potential referral sources including family members, educators, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social service employees. The project director must coordinate with various state agencies to support children who are at risk of prolonged hospital stays without medical necessity or experiencing placement instability. The bill requires an annual report to the legislature detailing referral numbers, demographic data, service availability, barriers to care, and recommendations for systemic improvements. A "child in crisis" is defined as a person under 18 who is at risk of unnecessary hospitalization, unable to return to parental care, or experiencing placement challenges while in the dependent care system. The rapid care team will include representatives from multiple state agencies and can include additional entities deemed helpful in supporting children in crisis.

Budget and Finance, Education, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1272&Year=2025&Initiative=false