Bill > HB1996

This bill allows qualified counties to impose a 0.1% sales and use tax specifically for funding behavioral health diversion programs aimed at preventing or redirecting individuals with behavioral health needs away from the criminal justice system. To be eligible, a county must have an approved behavioral health diversion plan that outlines strategies such as reducing the number of individuals with behavioral health needs entering the criminal justice system, particularly those with charges up to a class C felony. The tax proceeds must support specific interventions including identifying and diverting individuals who are repeatedly found non-restorable in competency proceedings, reducing recidivism for those likely to need competency services, and creating a comprehensive strategic plan using the sequential intercept model. This plan must address housing, case management, and support services for people with significant behavioral health needs who are at risk of or currently involved in the criminal justice system. The bill is contingent on the passage of another related bill (House Bill No. 1218) by August 1, 2025, and provides counties with a targeted funding mechanism to address the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1996&Year=2025&Initiative=false