Section 70.96A.245. Minor—Parent may request determination whether minor has chemical dependency requiring inpatient treatment—Minor consent not required—Duties and obligations of professional person and facility.

(1) A parent may bring, or authorize the bringing of, his or her minor child to a certified treatment program and request that a chemical dependency assessment be conducted by a professional person to determine whether the minor is chemically dependent and in need of inpatient treatment.

(2) The consent of the minor is not required for admission, evaluation, and treatment if the parent brings the minor to the program.

(3) An appropriately trained professional person may evaluate whether the minor is chemically dependent. The evaluation shall be completed within twenty-four hours of the time the minor was brought to the program, unless the professional person determines that the condition of the minor necessitates additional time for evaluation. In no event shall a minor be held longer than seventy-two hours for evaluation. If, in the judgment of the professional person, it is determined it is a medical necessity for the minor to receive inpatient treatment, the minor may be held for treatment. The facility shall limit treatment to that which the professional person determines is medically necessary to stabilize the minor's condition until the evaluation has been completed. Within twenty-four hours of completion of the evaluation, the professional person shall notify the department if the child is held for treatment and of the date of admission.

(4) No provider is obligated to provide treatment to a minor under the provisions of this section. No provider may admit a minor to treatment under this section unless it is medically necessary.

(5) No minor receiving inpatient treatment under this section may be discharged from the program based solely on his or her request.

[ 1998 c 296 § 27.]

NOTES:

Purpose—1998 c 296 §§ 27 and 29: "It is the purpose of sections 27 and 29 of this act to assure the ability of parents to exercise reasonable, compassionate care and control of their minor children when there is a medical necessity for treatment and without the requirement of filing a petition under chapter 70.96A RCW." [ 1998 c 296 § 33.]

Findings—Intent—Part headings not law—Short title—1998 c 296: See notes following RCW 74.13.025.

1998 c 296 § 27.