BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Whatcom County is part of a coalition of nearly two dozen Washington counties suing the state over its behavioral health services.

The lawsuit was filed in Pierce County Superior Court on Wednesday, August 23rd, and accuses the state of failing to offer proper care for residents with mental health issues.

The counties say the state Department of Social and Health Services has refused to provide an initial evaluation and treatment for patients exiting the legal system.

A federal judge previously ordered the state in July to pay over $100 million in fines for failing to give psychiatric services to mentally ill people.

Now, 22 counties are calling on the DSHS to fulfill what they call the department’s “basic legal obligations.”

The case could be heard as early as September 8th.