Behavioral health diversion

AN ACT Relating to authorizing a qualified county to impose a tax 1
for the funding of behavioral health diversion from the criminal 2
justice system; adding a new section to chapter 82.14 RCW; and 3
providing a contingent effective date. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 82.14 6
RCW to read as follows: 7
(1) The legislative authority of any county meeting the 8
requirements of subsection (3) of this section may impose a sales and 9
use tax by resolution or ordinance in accordance with the terms of 10
this chapter. The tax must be collected from those persons who are 11
taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW, upon the 12
occurrence of any taxable event within the county.13
(2) The rate of the tax may not exceed 0.1 percent of the selling 14
price, in the case of a sales tax, or value of the article used, in 15
the case of a use tax. However, if a county imposes the sales and use 16
tax authorized in chapter . . . (House Bill No. 1805), Laws of 2025, 17
the combined rate of both taxes may not exceed 0.1 percent.18
(3) The county must have a behavioral health diversion plan, as 19
defined in chapter . . . (House Bill No. 1218), Laws of 2025, that is 20
approved by the secretary of the department of social and health 21
H-1412.1
HOUSE BILL 1996
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Farivar, Macri, Scott, Parshley, Simmons, Thomas,
and Pollet
Read first time 02/18/25. Referred to Committee on Finance.
p. 1 HB 1996
services before the adoption of the resolution or ordinance to impose 1
the tax authorized under this section. 2
(4) The proceeds of the tax imposed under this section must be 3
used for programs that either prevent individuals with behavioral 4
health needs from entering the criminal justice system or that 5
diverts these individuals away from the criminal justice system once 6
incarcerated. This includes, but is not limited to:7
(a) Specific measures to reduce the number of individuals with 8
behavioral health needs whose highest charge is up to a class C 9
felony from entering or remaining in the criminal justice system;10
(b) Specific measures to increase diversion of individuals with 11
behavioral health needs whose highest charge is up to a class C 12
felony away from the competency system; 13
(c) Specific measures to identify individuals for whom a court 14
has made multiple prior findings of nonrestorability, and strategies 15
to prevent future competency evaluation or restoration orders and 16
instead use diversion options for these individuals;17
(d) Strategies to reduce recidivism for individuals with 18
behavioral health needs who are likely to be referred for a 19
competency service within the next six months based on history of 20
prior referrals, prior inpatient psychiatric treatment episodes, 21
criminal justice system involvement, or homelessness; and22
(e) A strategic plan to create programming, supports, and 23
services along each intercept in the sequential intercept model for 24
the county. 25
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect only if 26
chapter . . . (House Bill No. 1218), Laws of 2025 is enacted by 27
August 1, 2025.28
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p. 2 HB 1996