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Progress In Involuntary Commitment, Ross E. Campbell

Washington Law Review

Against this background of increased judicial scrutiny, the Washington State Legislature overhauled Washington's involuntary commitment procedures early in 1973. The new Act, which is clearly the most progressive state enactment to date, could serve as a paradigm for future state legislation. Its passage provides a timely opportunity for a detailed analysis of the recent judicial trends in the involuntary commitment area and an evaluation of the Washington Legislature's treatment of the various constitutional problems inherent in such commitment. After briefly outlining the provisions of the new Washington Act, this comment discusses the general limitations, both substantive and procedural, which due …