(1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct an independent assessment of the direct costs of providing judicial services under this chapter and chapter 71.34 RCW as defined in RCW 71.05.730. The assessment shall include a review and analysis of the reasons for differences in costs among counties. The assessment shall be conducted for any county in which more than twenty civil commitment cases were conducted during the year prior to the study. The assessment must be completed by June 1, 2012.

(2) The administrative office of the courts, the authority, and the department of social and health services shall provide the joint legislative audit and review committee with assistance and data required to complete the assessment.

(3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall present recommendations as to methods for updating the costs identified in the assessment to reflect changes over time.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.

Intent—2011 c 343: See note following RCW 71.05.730.