Ricky’s Law, effective April 1, 2018, allows the state’s mental health system to involuntarily detain adults and minors who are determined to pose a likelihood of serious harm as a result of a substance use disorder.
Will Ricky’s Law Help Me? You or someone you know may be a candidate if there is a substantial risk that physical harm will be inflicted by a person upon himself, another person, or the property of another person based on threats or violent behavior. Acts considered to pose a likelihood of serious harm include: (1) attempts to commit suicide or physically harm one’s self; (2) threats to physically hurt or inflict harm on others; and (3) behavior which has caused substantial loss or damage to another’s property. A person may also be a candidate if he has threatened the physical safety of another and has a history of violent acts over the past 10 years.
Next Steps? Evaluations under Ricky’s law may take place in the community or at a hospital emergency room. Individuals who meet involuntary detention criteria after an evaluation by a designated crisis responder must be treated at a state-certified secure detoxification facility. Unfortunately, if there is no bed available, Ricky’s Law provides no other options for detention and treatment. The crisis line in your county can help walk through how to get an evaluation performed.
If you are a concerned family member or individual seeking information about how to get help under Ricky’s Law, contact your local county crisis line:
- Adams County – Spokane County BHO: 509-488-4611
- Asotin County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-888- 475-5665
- Benton County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-800-783-0544
- Chelan County – North Central BHO: 1-800-852-2923 or 1-509-662-7105
- Clallam County – Salish BHO: 1-360-452-4500 or 1-800-843-4793
- Clark County – Beacon Health Options – 1-800-626-8137
- Columbia County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1- 866-382-1164
- Cowlitz County – Great Rivers BHO: 360-425-6064
- Douglas County – North Central BHO: 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923
- Ferry County – Spokane County BHO: 1-866-268-5105
- Franklin County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-800-783-0544
- Garfield County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-888- 475-5665
- Grant County – North Central BHO: 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923
- Grays Harbor County – Great Rivers BHO: 1-800-685-6556
- Island County – North Sound BHO: 1-800-584-3578
- Jefferson County – Salish BHO: 360-385-0321 or 1-877-410-4803
- King County – King County BHO: 1-866-427-4747
- Kitsap County – Salish BHO: 360-479-3033 or 1-800-843-4793
- Kittitas County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-800-572-8122 or 1-509-925-4168
- Klickitat County – Greater Columbia BHO: 509-773-5801 or 1-800-572-8122
- Lewis County – Great Rivers BHO: 1-800-559-6696
- Lincoln County – Spokane County BHO: 1-888-380-6823
- Mason County – Thurston-Mason BHO: 1-800-270-0041 or 1-360-754-1338
- Okanogan County – Spokane County BHO: 509-826-6191 or 1-866-826-6191
- Pacific County – Great Rivers BHO: 1-800-884-2298
- Pend Oreille County – Spokane County BHO: 1-866-847-8540
- Pierce County – Optum Health Pierce County BHO: 1-800-576-7764
- San Juan County – North Sound BHO: 1-800-584-3578
- Skagit County – North Sound BHO: 1-800-584-3578
- Skamania County – Beacon Health Options – 1-800-626-8137
- Snohomish County – North Sound BHO: 1-800-584-3578
- Spokane County – Spokane County BHO: 509-838-4428 or 1-877-678-4428
- Stevens County – Spokane County BHO: 1-888-380-6823
- Thurston County – Thurston-Mason BHO: 1-800-270-0041 or 1-360-754-1338
- Wahkiakum County – Great Rivers BHO: 1-800-635-5989
- Walla Walla County – Greater Columbia BHO: 509- 524-2999
- Whatcom County – North Sound BHO: 1-800-584-3578
- Whitman County – Greater Columbia BHO: 1-866-871-6385
- Yakima County – Greater Columbia BHO: 509- 575-4200 or 1-800-572-8122
