State Settles Suit Brought by Mental Hospital Patients

SPOKANE (AP) — The state is loosening its restrictions on outside trips for patients of mental hospitals after coming to an agreement with a group of patients who claimed the rules violated their civil rights.

The Spokesman-Review reports that six patients and advocacy group Disability Rights Washington had filed a lawsuit against the state in 2014. They claimed the restrictions implemented after a patient walked away from a trip to the Spokane County Fair in 2009 violated patients' constitutional rights.

Under the settlement reached earlier this month, patients will have court orders allowing them to leave hospital grounds for family visits and other outings. It also calls for a more frequent review of cases to determine patients' progress.

State officials say the agreement serves to balance patients' treatment needs with public safety.