Bill > HB1811

This bill enhances crisis response services through co-response integration and support by establishing a comprehensive framework for improving behavioral health emergency services. The bill defines "co-response" as a multidisciplinary partnership between first responders (such as law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and human services professionals (like social workers, behavioral health clinicians, and peer support specialists) who respond to emergency situations involving behavioral health crises. Key provisions include creating a training academy through the University of Washington school of social work to develop best practices for crisis responders, with a curriculum covering safety, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, suicide intervention, and substance use disorder engagement. The bill also expands the definition of first responders to include co-response team members and establishes goals to integrate co-responders into existing programs, emphasizing their critical role in diverting people from criminal justice and emergency medical systems and providing appropriate medical and behavioral health care in the field. By 2027, the training academy aims to be available statewide, providing optional certification for crisis response teams across different regional behavioral health administrative services organizations.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1811&Year=2025&Initiative=false