# RCW 71.05.010: RCW 71.05.010: Legislative intent

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S010

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 71.05.010
- **Heading:** RCW 71.05.010: Legislative intent
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 71 / Chapter 05 / Section 010

## Text

(1) The provisions of this chapter apply to persons who are eighteen years of age or older and are intended by the legislature: (a) To protect the health and safety of persons suffering from behavioral health disorders and to protect public safety through use of the parens patriae and police powers of the state; (b) To prevent inappropriate, indefinite commitment of persons living with behavioral health disorders and to eliminate legal disabilities that arise from such commitment; (c) To provide prompt evaluation and timely and appropriate treatment of persons with serious behavioral health disorders; (d) To safeguard individual rights; (e) To provide continuity of care for persons with serious behavioral health disorders; (f) To encourage the full use of all existing agencies, professional personnel, and public funds to prevent duplication of services and unnecessary expenditures; and (g) To encourage, whenever appropriate, that services be provided within the community. (2) When construing the requirements of this chapter the court must focus on the merits of the petition, except where requirements have been totally disregarded, as provided in In re C.W. , 147 Wn.2d 259, 281 (2002). A presumption in favor of deciding petitions on their merits furthers both public and private interests because the mental and physical well-being of individuals as well as public safety may be implicated by the decision to release an individual and discontinue his or her treatment.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 71.05.010 RCW 71.05.010: Legislative intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S010.md)
- [RCW 71.05.012 RCW 71.05.012: Legislative intent and finding.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S012.md)
- [RCW 71.05.020 RCW 71.05.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S020.md)
- [RCW 71.05.025 RCW 71.05.025: Integration with chapter 71.24 RCW—Behavioral health administrative services organizations—Duty to institute procedures for timely consultation with resource management services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S025.md)
- [RCW 71.05.026 RCW 71.05.026: Behavioral health services contracts—Limitation on state liability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S026.md)
- [RCW 71.05.027 RCW 71.05.027: Integrated comprehensive screening and assessment process for substance use and mental disorders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S027.md)
- [RCW 71.05.030 RCW 71.05.030: Commitment laws applicable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S030.md)
- [RCW 71.05.040 RCW 71.05.040: Detention or judicial commitment of persons with developmental disabilities, impaired by substance use disorder, or suffering from dementia.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S040.md)
- [RCW 71.05.050 RCW 71.05.050: Voluntary application for treatment of a behavioral health disorder—Rights—Review of condition and status—Detention—Person refusing voluntary admission, temporary detention.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S050.md)
- [RCW 71.05.100 RCW 71.05.100: Financial responsibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S100.md)
- [RCW 71.05.110 RCW 71.05.110: Appointed counsel—Compensation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S110.md)
- [RCW 71.05.120 RCW 71.05.120: Exemptions from liability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S120.md)
- [RCW 71.05.130 RCW 71.05.130: Duties of prosecuting attorney and attorney general.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S130.md)
- [RCW 71.05.132 RCW 71.05.132: Court-ordered treatment—Required notifications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S132.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S010. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.