Police restraint gets clarification in House bill

OLYMPIA – Those suffering mental health issues and juveniles could be restrained by law enforcement responding to crises.

That is the thrust of House Bill 1735, which passed the state House with a 90-5 vote and is now under consideration in the Senate.

The bill is intended to end confusion stemming from last year’s House Bill 1310, which prevented responders from receiving police assistance in detaining or transporting people.

“We’re talking about hands-on… whether law enforcement can physically interact with people, not to hurt them but to help them,” Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said.

“We’re talking about people in a mental health crisis, juveniles who have run away, juveniles who might be abused in households and other circumstances.”

Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way, said he hopes the bill will provide needed clarity for law enforcement officers.

House Bill 1735 also modifies House Bill 1310’s provision on when deadly force is justified.

The bill replaces “imminent threat” with “immediate threat.”