Wash. Rev. Code » Title 72 · Chapter 72.23
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 72.23.010 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Court" means the superior court of the state of Washington.
(2) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
(3) "Employee" means an employee as defined in RCW 49.17.020.
(4) "Licensed physician" means an individual permitted to practice as a physician under the laws of the state, or a medical officer, similarly qualified, of the government of the United States while in this state in performance of his or her official duties.
(5) "Mentally ill person" means any person who, pursuant to the definitions contained in RCW 71.05.020, as a result of a mental disorder presents a likelihood of serious harm to others or himself or herself or is gravely disabled.
(6) "Patient" means a person under observation, care, or treatment in a state hospital, or a person found mentally ill by the court, and not discharged from a state hospital, or other facility, to which such person had been ordered hospitalized.
(7) "Resident" means a resident of the state of Washington.
(8) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.
(9) "State hospital" means a hospital designated under RCW 72.23.020.
(10) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of a state hospital.
(11) "Violence" or "violent act" means any physical assault or attempted physical assault against an employee or patient of a state hospital.
Wherever used in this chapter, the masculine shall include the feminine and the singular shall include the plural.
[ 2025 c 226 s 8; 2000 c 22 s 2; 1981 c 136 s 99; 1974 ex.s. c 145 s 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 142 s 3; 1959 c 28 s 72.23.010. Prior: 1951 c 139 s 2. Formerly RCW 71.02.010.]

Notes:

Effective date—2025 c 226: See note following RCW 71.05.020.
Findings—2000 c 22: See note following RCW 72.23.400.
Effective date—1981 c 136: See RCW 72.09.900.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2008–2018 · leading case: Pierce Cnty. v. State, 185 P.3d 594 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008).
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Pierce Cnty. v. State, 185 P.3d 594 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The County does not explain how the State's providing short-term evaluation and treatment services at Western State Hospital counts toward the County's duty to provide 85 percent of this care. The statute unambiguously requires the County, not the State, to provide 85 percent of…”
Pierce Cnty. v. State, 144 Wash. App. 783 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “See RCW 72.23.010(9) (a state hospital is a hospital operated by the State for the care of the mentally ill).”
State of Washington v. Matthew Sean McCarthy, 429 P.3d 1086 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “McCarthy; Personal Restraint of McCarthy court determines that the defendant is unlikely to regain competency, the charges shall be dismissed without prejudice, and the court shall order the defendant be committed to a state hospital as defined in RCW 72.23.010 for up to…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.23.010(9) — 2 cases
Pierce Cnty. v. State, 185 P.3d 594 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The County does not explain how the State's providing short-term evaluation and treatment services at Western State Hospital counts toward the County's duty to provide 85 percent of this care. The statute unambiguously requires the County, not the State, to provide 85 percent of…”
Pierce Cnty. v. State, 144 Wash. App. 783 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “See RCW 72.23.010(9) (a state hospital is a hospital operated by the State for the care of the mentally ill).”
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