Table 1

Inpatient Treatment Laws for Minors in Washington State

Minor-Initiated Treatment (Voluntary^a)	Family-Initiated Treatment
Minor can self-admit to inpatient facility without guardian approval if clinician in charge of facility agrees admission is medically necessary and is the least restrictive option. Upon admitting minor, facility must notify minor’s guardians within 24 hours. Minor may request discharge at any time, in writing, and must be discharged within two judicial days of request (unless admission status changes). Minor can consent to psychiatric medications without guardian approval, and guardian cannot compel the minor to receive psychiatric medications without guardian approval	Guardian can bring minor to inpatient facility and request minor be admitted and evaluated to determine whether the minor has a mental disorder and whether inpatient treatment is medically necessary. Evaluation must be completed within 72 hours; treatment is limited to minimum required for stabilization and evaluation. Minor’s consent is not required for admission or evaluation. If evaluation indicates inpatient treatment is medically necessary, the minor may be held for treatment. Independent evaluator must review admission to ensure it is medically necessary between 7 and 14 days of admission. If not medically necessary, facility must release minor to guardian within 24 hours of notification If medically necessary, minor may petition court for release 5 daysafter initial evaluation completed. Minor must be released within 30 days^b of either: Notice of independent evaluation results Minor’s filing of petition for release Minor can consent to psychiatric medications without guardian approval, and guardian cannot compel the minor to receive psychiatric medications without minor’s consent

Minor-Initiated Treatment (Voluntary^a)

Family-Initiated Treatment

Minor can self-admit to inpatient facility without guardian approval if clinician in charge of facility agrees admission is medically necessary and is the least restrictive option.
Upon admitting minor, facility must notify minor’s guardians within 24 hours.
Minor may request discharge at any time, in writing, and must be discharged within two judicial days of request (unless admission status changes).
Minor can consent to psychiatric medications without guardian approval, and guardian cannot compel the minor to receive psychiatric medications without guardian approval

Guardian can bring minor to inpatient facility and request minor be admitted and evaluated to determine whether the minor has a mental disorder and whether inpatient treatment is medically necessary.
- Evaluation must be completed within 72 hours; treatment is limited to minimum required for stabilization and evaluation.
- Minor’s consent is not required for admission or evaluation.
- If evaluation indicates inpatient treatment is medically necessary, the minor may be held for treatment.
Independent evaluator must review admission to ensure it is medically necessary between 7 and 14 days of admission.
- If not medically necessary, facility must release minor to guardian within 24 hours of notification
- If medically necessary, minor may petition court for release 5 daysafter initial evaluation completed.
Minor must be released within 30 days^b of either:
- Notice of independent evaluation results
- Minor’s filing of petition for release
Minor can consent to psychiatric medications without guardian approval, and guardian cannot compel the minor to receive psychiatric medications without minor’s consent

From Washington State Legislature Chapter 71.34 RCW: Behavioral Health Services for Minors, 2020.
↵a Children under 13 may only be admitted for inpatient mental health treatment with the consent of their guardian and are not subject to the Involuntary Treatment Act.
↵b In the absence of civil commitment.