WA HB1816

Political subdivisions with more than 200,000 residents may establish civilian-staffed crisis response teams operating outside of law enforcement agencies to provide nonlaw enforcement responses to individuals in crisis, welfare checks, or resource requests

Crisis teams can serve as primary 911 responders when there is no report of active/imminent violence or weapons, handling calls for persons in crisis, welfare checks, or requests for shelter, food, or transportation

Teams may also provide secondary support to law enforcement and initiate field responses when observing qualifying situations; the alternative 911 response is designated as a "third first responder" parallel to police and fire

Executive heads must consult with state health care authority, behavioral health organizations, mobile crisis teams, and 988 call centers to set minimum qualifications including training in scene safety, de-escalation, and crisis interaction

Amends public records law (RCW 42.56.230) to exempt personal information of individuals receiving public safety or health services from nonlaw enforcement agencies from public disclosure