# 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 > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S050 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 71.05.050 - **Heading:** 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 - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 71 / Chapter 05 / Section 050 ## Text (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the right of any person to apply voluntarily to any public or private agency or practitioner for treatment of a behavioral health disorder, either by direct application or by referral. Any person voluntarily admitted for inpatient treatment to any public or private agency shall be released immediately upon his or her request. Any person voluntarily admitted for inpatient treatment to any public or private agency shall orally be advised of the right to immediate discharge, and further advised of such rights in writing as are secured to them pursuant to this chapter and their rights of access to attorneys, courts, and other legal redress. Their condition and status shall be reviewed at least once each one hundred eighty days for evaluation as to the need for further treatment or possible discharge, at which time they shall again be advised of their right to discharge upon request. (2) If the professional staff of any public or private agency or hospital regards a person voluntarily admitted who requests discharge as presenting, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or is gravely disabled, they may detain such person for sufficient time to notify the designated crisis responder of such person's condition to enable the designated crisis responder to authorize such person being further held in custody or transported to an evaluation and treatment center, secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility, or approved substance use disorder treatment program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, which shall in ordinary circumstances be no later than the next judicial day. (3) If a person is brought to the emergency room of a public or private agency or hospital for observation or treatment, the person refuses voluntary admission, and the professional staff of the public or private agency or hospital regard such person as presenting as a result of a behavioral health disorder an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or as presenting an imminent danger because of grave disability, they may detain such person for sufficient time to notify the designated crisis responder of such person's condition to enable the designated crisis responder to authorize such person being further held in custody or transported to an evaluation treatment center, secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility, or approved substance use disorder treatment program pursuant to the conditions in this chapter, but which time shall be no more than six hours from the time the professional staff notify the designated crisis responder of the need for evaluation, not counting time periods prior to medical clearance. (4) If a person is brought to or accepted at a 23-hour crisis relief center and thereafter refuses to stay voluntarily, and the professional staff of the 23-hour crisis relief center regard the person as presenting as a result of a behavioral health disorder an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or presenting as an imminent danger because of grave disability, they may detain the person for sufficient time to enable the designated crisis responder to complete an evaluation, and, if involuntary commitment criteria are met, authorize the person being further held in custody or transported to a hospital emergency department, evaluation and treatment center, secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility, or approved substance use disorder treatment program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, but which time shall be no more than 12 hours from the time the professional staff notify the designated crisis responder of the need for evaluation ld in custody or transported to a hospital emergency department, evaluation and treatment center, secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility, or approved substance use disorder treatment program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, but which time shall be no more than 12 hours from the time the professional staff notify the designated crisis responder of the need for evaluation. (5) Dismissal of a commitment petition is not the appropriate remedy for a violation of the timeliness requirements of this section based on the intent of this chapter under RCW 71.05.010 except in the few cases where the facility staff or designated crisis responder has totally disregarded the requirements of this section. ## 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) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T71_C05_S050. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.