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Committee reports out bill formalizing community policing partnerships at state psychiatric hospitals
Summary
Senate Bill 52 86 was reported out of committee with a do‑pass recommendation; the bill recognizes an existing Department of Social and Health Services partnership with Lakewood and establishes a similar program with Medical Lake and requires annual funding to both cities to support policing at state psychiatric hospitals.
The House Committee on Community Safety reported out Senate Bill 52 86 March 24 with a do‑pass recommendation. The bill formally recognizes an existing community partnership program between the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the City of Lakewood for policing at a state psychiatric hospital and establishes a similar arrangement with the City of Medical Lake; it also requires annual funding to be provided to both cities to support those programs.
Committee members, including Representative Burnett whose district includes Medical Lake, expressed support for the bill as a way to provide resources and recognize the additional public‑safety burden placed on host communities. “The city of Medical Lake in particular with the institution there needs state support resources to make sure that the community is safe there,” a committee member said during remarks recorded in support.
The committee conducted a voice vote to report the bill out of committee, and the record states that “all members are present and voting in the affirmative.” No roll‑call vote tally was provided in the committee minutes for this meeting.
The committee’s report notes the bill requires funding be provided annually to both cities to support policing at the state psychiatric hospitals; the record did not specify funding amounts or sources. The bill was reported out with a do‑pass recommendation and will move forward in the legislative process.
