EMTs soon allowed to take mental health cases to triage centers

Marissa Brent-Tookey

Marissa Brent-Tookey Jul 14, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>EMTs soon allowed to take mental health cases to triage centers</h1>
                <h2><p>According to The Herald, a state law effective July 24 will enable first responders to take patients to "facilities other than hospitals." Paramedics have previously only been permitted to take people to emergency rooms. House Bill 1721 will give them another option to take patients to triage centers</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/marissa-brent-tookey-crosscut-com/">Marissa Brent-Tookey</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p><a href="http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150612/NEWS01/150619731/New-law-will-enable-first-responders-to-take-troubled-to-triage-center?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">According to The Herald</a>, a state law effective July 24 will enable first responders to take patients to "facilities other than hospitals." Paramedics have previously only been permitted to take people to emergency rooms. <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1721&year=2015&ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">House Bill 1721</a> will give them another option to take patients to triage centers that are better equipped to handle mental health crises. Acceptance to a triage center requires referral by police or mental health and emergency room staff. Facilities provide meals, beds, classes and psychiatric care.</p>
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According to The Herald, a state law effective July 24 will enable first responders to take patients to "facilities other than hospitals." Paramedics have previously only been permitted to take people to emergency rooms. House Bill 1721 will give them another option to take patients to triage centers that are better equipped to handle mental health crises. Acceptance to a triage center requires referral by police or mental health and emergency room staff. Facilities provide meals, beds, classes and psychiatric care.

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By Marissa Brent-Tookey

Marissa Brent-Tookey is an editorial intern at Crosscut. She holds a B.A. in French from Seattle University and now studies film production at Shoreline Community College. In addition to crewing a doz