Mental health commissioners — Authority.
RCW 71.34.315
in effectThe judges of the superior court of the county by majority vote may authorize mental health commissioners, appointed pursuant to RCW 71.05.135 , to perform any or all of the following duties: (1) Receive all applications, petitions, and proceedings filed in the superior court for the purpose of disposing of them pursuant to this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 ; (2) Investigate the facts upon which to base warrants, subpoenas, orders to directions in actions, or proceedings filed pursuant to this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 ; (3) For the purpose of this chapter, exercise all powers and perform all the duties of a court commissioner appointed pursuant to RCW 2.24.010 ; (4) Hold hearings in proceedings under this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 and make written reports of all proceedings under this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 which shall become a part of the record of superior court; (5) Provide such supervision in connection with the exercise of its jurisdiction as may be ordered by the presiding judge; and (6) Cause the orders and findings to be entered in the same manner as orders and findings are entered in cases in the superior court.
The judges of the superior court of the county by majority vote may authorize mental health commissioners, appointed pursuant to RCW 71.05.135 , to perform any or all of the following duties:
(1) Receive all applications, petitions, and proceedings filed in the superior court for the purpose of disposing of them pursuant to this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 ;
(2) Investigate the facts upon which to base warrants, subpoenas, orders to directions in actions, or proceedings filed pursuant to this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 ;
(3) For the purpose of this chapter, exercise all powers and perform all the duties of a court commissioner appointed pursuant to RCW 2.24.010 ;
(4) Hold hearings in proceedings under this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 and make written reports of all proceedings under this chapter or *RCW 10.77.525 which shall become a part of the record of superior court;
(5) Provide such supervision in connection with the exercise of its jurisdiction as may be ordered by the presiding judge; and
(6) Cause the orders and findings to be entered in the same manner as orders and findings are entered in cases in the superior court.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=71.34&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026