Judge sides with county in DSHS suit

TACOMA—A Pierce County judge sided in favor of a lawsuit filed by Lincoln County, 27 other counties and the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) against the State Dept. of Health and Social Services Friday, Oct. 6.

The directive by Judge Michael Schwartz mandates the state to assess patients with behavioral health conditions and issue comprehensive community notifications prior to their release from treatment, a WSAC press release said.

“This significant legal action underscores the state’s responsibility to assess and treat individuals grappling with behavioral health challenges,”...