Washington Revised Code Title 7. Special Proceedings and Actions § 7.68.380. Commercially sexually exploited children receiving center programs

(a) Begin providing services by January 1, 2021;

(b) Utilize existing facilities and not require the construction of new facilities; and

(c) Provide ongoing case management for all children who are being served or were served by the programs.

(a) Include a short-term evaluation function that is accessible twenty-four hours per day seven days per week that has the capacity to evaluate the immediate needs of commercially sexually exploited children ages twelve through seventeen and either meet those immediate needs or refer those children to the appropriate services;

(b) Assess children for mental health and substance use disorder needs and provide appropriate referrals as needed; and

(c) Provide individual and group counseling focused on developing and strengthening coping skills, and improving self-esteem and dignity.

(a) Collect nonidentifiable demographic data of the children served by the programs established under this section;

(b) Collect data regarding the locations that children exit to after being served by the programs; and

(c) Report the data described in this subsection along with recommendations for modification or expansion of these programs to the relevant committees of the legislature by December 1, 2022.

(a) “Receiving center” means a trauma-informed, secure location that meets the multidisciplinary needs of commercially sexually exploited children ages twelve through seventeen located in a behavioral health agency licensed or certified under RCW 71.24.037 to provide inpatient or residential treatment services; and

(b) “Short-term evaluation function” means a short-term emergency shelter that is accessible twenty-four hours per day seven days per week that has the capacity to evaluate the immediate needs of commercially sexually exploited children under age eighteen and either meet those immediate needs or refer those children to the appropriate services.

(6)(a) The department of children, youth, and families, the department of health, and the division of behavioral health and recovery, shall meet to coordinate the implementation of receiving centers as provided for in this section, including developing eligibility criteria for serving commercially sexually exploited children that allows referral from service providers and prioritizes referral from law enforcement.

(b) By December 1, 2020, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the department of children, youth, and families shall submit a report to the governor and legislature summarizing the implementation plan and eligibility criteria as described in (a) of this subsection, and provide any additional policy recommendations regarding receiving centers as it deems necessary.