Whenever in the judgment of the secretary, the treatment and training of any resident of a residential habilitation center has progressed to the point that it is deemed advisable to return such resident to the community, the secretary may grant placement on such terms and conditions as the secretary may deem advisable after consultation in the manner provided in RCW 71A.10.070. The secretary shall give written notice of the decision to return a resident to the community as provided in RCW 71A.10.060. The notice must include a statement advising the recipient of the right to an adjudicative proceeding under RCW 71A.10.050 and the time limits for filing an application for an adjudicative proceeding. The notice must also include a statement advising the recipient of the right to judicial review of an adverse adjudicative order as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW.
A placement decision shall not be implemented at any level during any period during which an appeal can be taken or while an appeal is pending and undecided, unless authorized by court order so long as the appeal is being diligently pursued.
The department of social and health services shall periodically evaluate at reasonable intervals the adjustment of the resident to the specific placement to determine whether the resident should be continued in the placement or returned to the institution or given a different placement.
[1989 c 175 § 143; 1988 c 176 § 708.]
Notes: Effective date -- 1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.