Bill > HB1816

This bill establishes a framework for creating civilian-staffed crisis response teams in political subdivisions with over 200,000 residents, designed to provide non-law enforcement assistance to individuals experiencing various types of crises. These teams would be authorized to serve as a primary 911 response for non-violent situations, such as welfare checks, resource requests, or calls involving individuals in mental health or social service crisis, without requiring immediate law enforcement intervention. The bill mandates that the executive head of the political subdivision consult with regional healthcare, behavioral health, and emergency service organizations to set minimum qualifications for the team, including training in scene safety, de-escalation, and crisis interaction. The crisis response team is explicitly defined as a third type of first responder, distinct from traditional law enforcement and fire services, with team members' employment conditions subject to collective bargaining. The bill also amends public records exemption laws to protect personal information of individuals receiving services from these non-law enforcement agencies, ensuring privacy for people seeking assistance through these new crisis response teams.

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1816&Year=2025&Initiative=false