The bill seeks to improve crisis response services in Washington State by establishing co-response teams that combine first responders with human services professionals. This integration aims to de-escalate crises, divert individuals from the criminal justice system, and provide immediate medical and behavioral health care to vulnerable populations. Key amendments include a new definition for "co-response," which emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to behavioral health crises, and a stipulation that regional crisis lines will not dispatch law enforcement, promoting non-law enforcement responses to such emergencies.

Additionally, the bill enhances confidentiality protections for communications between peer supporters and clients, as well as between advocates and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. It specifies that peer supporters cannot be compelled to testify about their communications, with exceptions for cases involving serious harm. The bill also strengthens protections for union members regarding the confidentiality of communications with their representatives and establishes a presumption that infectious diseases contracted by frontline employees during public health emergencies are occupational diseases. Furthermore, it mandates the development of a crisis responder training academy by the University of Washington to ensure best practices in crisis response are certified and disseminated across behavioral health services by 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 5.60.060, 51.32.181
Substitute Bill: 5.60.060, 51.32.181
Bill as Passed Legislature: 5.60.060, 51.32.181, 28A.210.070
Session Law: 5.60.060, 51.32.181, 28A.210.070