RCW 13.34.132 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 132
RCW 13.34.132: Petition seeking termination of parent-child relationship—Requirements.
Status: in_force

A court may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed if the following requirements are met: (1) The court has removed the child from his or her home pursuant to RCW 13.34.130 ; (2) Termination is recommended by the department; (3) Termination is in the best interests of the child; and (4) Because of the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts to unify the family are not required. Notwithstanding the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts may be required if the court or department determines it is in the best interests of the child. In determining whether aggravated circumstances exist by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, the court shall consider one or more of the following: (a) Conviction of the parent of rape of the child in the first, second, or third degree as defined in RCW 9A.44.073 , 9A.44.076 , and 9A.44.079 ; (b) Conviction of the parent of criminal mistreatment of the child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.42.020 and 9A.42.030 ; (c) Conviction of the parent of one of the following assault crimes, when the child is the victim: Assault in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.011 and 9A.36.021 or assault of a child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.120 or 9A.36.130 ; (d) Conviction of the parent of murder, manslaughter, or homicide by abuse of the child's other parent, sibling, or another child; (e) Conviction of the parent of trafficking, or promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor when the victim of the crime is the child, the child's other parent, a sibling of the child, or another child; (f) Conviction of the parent of attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit a crime listed in (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection; (g) A finding by a court that a parent is a sexually violent predator as defined in RCW 71.09.020 ; (h) Failure of the parent to complete available treatment ordered under this chapter or the equivalent laws of another state, where such failure has resulted in a prior termination of parental rights to another child and the parent has failed to effect significant change in the interim. In the case of a parent of an Indian child, as defined in RCW 13.38.040 , the court shall also consider tribal efforts to assist the parent in completing treatment and make it possible for the child to return home; (i) An infant under three years of age has been abandoned; (j) Conviction of the parent, when a child has been born of the offense, of: (A) A sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW; or (B) incest under RCW 9A.64.020 .
RCW 13.34.115 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 115
RCW 13.34.115: Hearings—Public excluded when in the best interests of the child—Notes and records—Video recordings.
Status: in_force

(1) All hearings shall be public, and conducted at any time or place within the limits of the county, except if the judge finds that excluding the public is in the best interests of the child. (2) Either parent, or the child's attorney or guardian ad litem, may move to close a hearing at any time. If the judge finds that it is in the best interests of the child the court shall exclude the public. (3) If the public is excluded from the hearing, the following people may attend the closed hearing unless the judge finds it is not in the best interests of the child: (a) The child's relatives; (b) The child's foster parents if the child resides in foster care; and (c) Any person requested by the parent. (4) Stenographic notes or any device which accurately records the proceedings may be required as provided in other civil cases pursuant to RCW 2.32.200 . (5) Any video recording of the proceedings may be released pursuant to RCW 13.50.100 , however, the video recording may not be televised, broadcast, or further disseminated to the public.
RCW 13.34.070 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 070
RCW 13.34.070: Summons when petition filed—Service procedure—Hearing, when—Contempt upon failure to appear—Required notice regarding Indian children.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the filing of the petition, the petitioner shall issue a summons, one directed to the child, if the child is twelve or more years of age, and another to the parents, guardian, or custodian, and such other persons as appear to the court to be proper or necessary parties to the proceedings, requiring them to appear personally before the court at the time fixed to hear the petition. If the child is developmentally disabled and not living at home, the notice shall be given to the child's custodian as well as to the child's parent. The developmentally disabled child shall not be required to appear unless requested by the court. When the custodian is summoned, the parent or guardian or both shall also be served with a summons. The fact-finding hearing on the petition shall be held no later than seventy-five days after the filing of the petition, unless exceptional reasons for a continuance are found. The party requesting the continuance shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that exceptional circumstances exist. To ensure that the hearing on the petition occurs within the seventy-five day time limit, the court shall schedule and hear the matter on an expedited basis. (2) A copy of the petition shall be attached to each summons. (3) The summons shall advise the parties of the right to counsel. The summons shall also inform the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian of his or her right to appointed counsel, if indigent, and of the procedure to use to secure appointed counsel. (4) The summons shall advise the parents that they may be held responsible for the support of the child if the child is placed in out-of-home care. (5) The judge may endorse upon the summons an order directing any parent, guardian, or custodian having the custody or control of the child to bring the child to the hearing. (6) If it appears from affidavit or sworn statement presented to the judge that there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest or that the child needs to be taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 , the judge may endorse upon the summons an order that an officer serving the summons shall at once take the child into custody and take him or her to the place of shelter designated by the court. (7) If the person summoned as provided in this section is subject to an order of the court pursuant to subsection (5) or (6) of this section, and if the person fails to abide by the order, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court. The order endorsed upon the summons shall conspicuously display the following legend: NOTICE: VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS SUBJECT TO PROCEEDING FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT PURSUANT TO RCW 13.34.070 . (8) If a party to be served with a summons can be found within the state, the summons shall be served upon the party personally as soon as possible following the filing of the petition, but in no case later than fifteen court days before the fact-finding hearing, or such time as set by the court. If the party is within the state and cannot be personally served, but the party's address is known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, the summons may be served upon the party by mailing a copy by certified mail as soon as possible following the filing of the petition, but in no case later than fifteen court days before the hearing, or such time as set by the court. If a party other than the child is without the state but can be found or the address is known, or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, service of the summons may be made either by delivering a copy to the party personally or by mailing a copy thereof to the party by certified mail at least ten court days before the fact-finding hearing, or such time as set by the court. (9) Service of summons may be made under the direction of the court by any person eighteen years of age or older who is not a party to the proceedings or by any law enforcement officer, probation counselor, or department employee. (10) Whenever the court or the petitioning party in a proceeding under this chapter knows or has reason to know that an Indian child as defined in RCW 13.38.040 is involved, the petitioning party shall promptly provide notice to the child's parent or Indian custodian and to the agent designated by the child's Indian tribe to receive such notices. Notice shall comply with RCW 13.38.070 .
RCW 13.38.180 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 180
RCW 13.38.180: Placement preferences.
Status: in_force

(1) When an emergency removal, foster care placement, or preadoptive placement of an Indian child is necessary, a good faith effort will be made to place the Indian child: (a) In the least restrictive setting; (b) Which most approximates a family situation; (c) Which is in reasonable proximity to the Indian child's home; and (d) In which the Indian child's special needs, if any, will be met. (2) In any foster care or preadoptive placement, a preference shall be given, in absence of good cause to the contrary, to the child's placement with one of the following: (a) A member of the child's extended family; (b) A foster home licensed, approved, or specified by the child's tribe; (c) An Indian foster home licensed or approved by an authorized non-Indian licensing authority; (d) A child foster care agency approved by an Indian tribe or operated by an Indian organization which has a program suitable to meet the Indian child's needs; (e) A non-Indian child foster care agency approved by the child's tribe; (f) A non-Indian family that is committed to: (i) Promoting and allowing appropriate extended family visitation; (ii) Establishing, maintaining, and strengthening the child's relationship with his or her tribe or tribes; and (iii) Participating in the cultural and ceremonial events of the child's tribe. (3) In the absence of good cause to the contrary, any adoptive or other permanent placement of an Indian child, preference shall be given to a placement with one of the following, in descending priority order: (a) Extended family members; (b) An Indian family of the same tribe as the child; (c) An Indian family that is of a similar culture to the child's tribe; (d) Another Indian family; or (e) Any other family which can provide a suitable home for an Indian child, such suitability to be determined in consultation with the Indian child's tribe or, in proceedings under chapter 13.34 RCW where the Indian child is in the custody of the department or a supervising agency and the Indian child's tribe has not intervened or participated, the local Indian child welfare advisory committee. (4) Notwithstanding the placement preferences listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if a different order of placement preference is established by the child's tribe, the court or agency effecting the placement shall follow the order of preference established by the tribe so long as the placement is in the least restrictive setting appropriate to the particular needs of the child. (5) Where appropriate, the preference of the Indian child or his or her parent shall be considered by the court. Where a consenting parent evidences a desire for anonymity, the court or agency shall give weight to such desire in applying the preferences. (6) The standards to be applied in meeting the preference requirements of this section shall be the prevailing social and cultural standards of the Indian community in which the parent or extended family members of an Indian child reside, or with which the parent or extended family members maintain social and cultural ties. (7) Nothing in this section shall prevent the department or the court from placing the child with a parent to effectuate a permanent plan regardless of the parent's relationship to the child's tribe.
RCW 13.50.150 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 50 / Section 150
RCW 13.50.150: Confidential records—Expungement to protect due process rights.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the expungement of any juvenile record ordered expunged by a court to preserve the due process rights of its subject.
RCW 13.20.050 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 20 / Section 050
RCW 13.20.050: Compensation of members.
Status: in_force

No member of the board shall receive any compensation or emolument whatever for services as such board member.
RCW 13.40.310 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 310
RCW 13.40.310: Transitional treatment program for gang and drug-involved juvenile offenders.
Status: in_force

(1) The department may contract with a community-based nonprofit organization to establish a three-step transitional treatment program for gang and drug-involved juvenile offenders committed to the custody of the department under this chapter. Any such program shall provide six to twenty-four months of treatment. The program shall emphasize the principles of self-determination, unity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, and creativity. The program shall be culturally relevant and appropriate and shall include: (a) A culturally relevant and appropriate institution-based program that provides comprehensive drug and alcohol services, individual and family counseling, and a wilderness experience of constructive group living, rigorous physical exercise, and academic studies; (b) A culturally relevant and appropriate community-based structured group living program that focuses on individual goals, positive community involvement, coordinated drug and alcohol treatment, coordinated individual and family counseling, academic and vocational training, and employment in apprenticeship, internship, and entrepreneurial programs; and (c) A culturally relevant and appropriate transitional group living program that provides support services, academic services, and coordinated individual and family counseling. (2) Participation in any such program shall be on a voluntary basis. (3) The department shall adopt rules as necessary to implement any such program.
RCW 13.34.030 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 030
RCW 13.34.030: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Abandoned" means when the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian has expressed, either by statement or conduct, an intent to forego, for an extended period, parental rights or responsibilities despite an ability to exercise such rights and responsibilities. If the court finds that the petitioner has exercised due diligence in attempting to locate the parent, no contact between the child and the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian for a period of three months creates a rebuttable presumption of abandonment, even if there is no expressed intent to abandon. (2) "Child," "juvenile," and "youth" mean: (a) Any individual under the age of eighteen years; or (b) Any individual age 18 to 21 years who is eligible to receive and who elects to receive the extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 . A youth who remains dependent and who receives extended foster care services under RCW 74.13.031 shall not be considered a "child" under any other statute or for any other purpose. (3) "Current placement episode" means the period of time that begins with the most recent date that the child was removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian for purposes of placement in out-of-home care and continues until: (a) The child returns home; (b) an adoption decree, a permanent custody order, or guardianship order is entered; or (c) the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs first. (4) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families. (5) "Dependency guardian" means the person, nonprofit corporation, or Indian tribe appointed by the court pursuant to this chapter for the limited purpose of assisting the court in the supervision of the dependency. (6) "Dependent child" means any child who: (a) Has been abandoned; (b) Is abused or neglected as defined in RCW 26.44.020 by a person legally responsible for the care of the child; (c) Has no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child, such that the child is in circumstances which constitute a danger of substantial damage to the child's psychological or physical development; (d) Is receiving extended foster care services, as authorized by RCW 74.13.031 ; or (e) Is a victim of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons under the trafficking victims protection act of 2000, 22 U.S.C. Sec. 7101 et seq., when the parent is involved in the trafficking, facilitating the trafficking, or should have known that the child is being trafficked. (7) "Developmental disability" means a disability attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition of an individual found by the secretary of the department of social and health services to be closely related to an intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disabilities, which disability originates before the individual attains age eighteen, which has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely, and which constitutes a substantial limitation to the individual. (8) "Educational liaison" means a person who has been appointed by the court to fulfill responsibilities outlined in RCW 13.34.046 . (9) "Experiencing homelessness" means lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including circumstances such as sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, fleeing domestic violence, or a similar reason as described in the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act (Title 42 U.S.C., chapter 119, subchapter I) as it existed on January 1, 2021. (10) "Extended foster care services" means residential and other support services the department is authorized to provide under RCW 74.13.031 . These services may include placement in licensed, relative, or otherwise approved care, or supervised independent living settings; assistance in meeting basic needs; independent living services; supervised independent living subsidy; medical assistance; and counseling or treatment. (11) "Guardian" means the person or agency that: (a) Has been appointed as the guardian of a child in a legal proceeding, including a guardian appointed pursuant to chapter 13.36 RCW; and (b) has the legal right to custody of the child pursuant to such appointment. The term "guardian" does not include a "dependency guardian" appointed pursuant to a proceeding under this chapter. (12) "Guardian ad litem" means a person, appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a proceeding under this chapter, or in any matter which may be consolidated with a proceeding under this chapter. A "court-appointed special advocate" appointed by the court to be the guardian ad litem for the child, or to perform substantially the same duties and functions as a guardian ad litem, shall be deemed to be guardian ad litem for all purposes and uses of this chapter. (13) "Guardian ad litem program" means a court-authorized volunteer program, which is or may be established by the superior court of the county in which such proceeding is filed, to manage all aspects of volunteer guardian ad litem representation for children alleged or found to be dependent. Such management shall include but is not limited to: Recruitment, screening, training, supervision, assignment, and discharge of volunteers. (14) "Guardianship" means a guardianship pursuant to chapter 13.36 RCW or a limited guardianship of a minor pursuant to RCW 11.130.215 or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe. (15) "High-potency synthetic opioid" means an unprescribed synthetic opioid classified as a Schedule II controlled substance or controlled substance analog in chapter 69.50 RCW or by the pharmacy quality assurance commission in rule including, but not limited to, fentanyl. (16) "Housing assistance" means appropriate referrals by the department or other agencies to federal, state, local, or private agencies or organizations, assistance with forms, applications, or financial subsidies or other monetary assistance for housing. For purposes of this chapter, "housing assistance" is not a remedial service or family reunification service as described in RCW 13.34.025 (2). (17) "Indigent" means a person who, at any stage of a court proceeding, is: (a) Receiving one of the following types of public assistance: Temporary assistance for needy families, aged, blind, or disabled assistance benefits, medical care services under RCW 74.09.035 , pregnant women assistance benefits, poverty-related veterans' benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, medicaid, or supplemental security income; or (b) Involuntarily committed to a public mental health facility; or (c) Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of 125 percent or less of the federally established poverty level; or (d) Unable to pay the anticipated cost of counsel for the matter before the court because his or her available funds are insufficient to pay any amount for the retention of counsel. (18) "Nonminor dependent" means any individual age 18 to 21 years who is participating in extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 . (19) "Out-of-home care" means placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or placement in a home, other than that of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. (20) "Parent" means the biological or adoptive parents of a child, or an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26A.100 , unless the legal rights of that person have been terminated by a judicial proceeding pursuant to this chapter, chapter 26.33 RCW, or the equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe. (21) "Prevention and family services and programs" means specific mental health prevention and treatment services, substance abuse prevention and treatment services, and in-home parent skill-based programs that qualify for federal funding under the federal family first prevention services act, P.L. 115-123. For purposes of this chapter, prevention and family services and programs are not remedial services or family reunification services as described in RCW 13.34.025 (2). (22) "Prevention services" means preservation services, as defined in chapter 74.14C RCW, and other reasonably available services, including housing assistance, capable of preventing the need for out-of-home placement while protecting the child. Prevention services include, but are not limited to, prevention and family services and programs as defined in this section. (23) "Qualified residential treatment program" means a program that meets the requirements provided in RCW 13.34.420 , qualifies for funding under the family first prevention services act under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 672(k), and, if located within Washington state, is licensed as a group care facility under chapter 74.15 RCW. (24) "Relative" includes persons related to a child in the following ways: (a) Any blood relative, including those of half-blood, and including first cousins, second cousins, nephews or nieces, and persons of preceding generations as denoted by prefixes of grand, great, or great-great; (b) Stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, and stepsister; (c) A person who legally adopts a child or the child's parent as well as the natural and other legally adopted children of such persons, and other relatives of the adoptive parents in accordance with state law; (d) Spouses of any persons named in (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection, even after the marriage is terminated; (e) Relatives, as named in (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection, of any half sibling of the child; or (f) Extended family members, as defined by the law or custom of the Indian child's tribe or, in the absence of such law or custom, a person who has reached the age of 18 and who is the Indian child's grandparent, aunt or uncle, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, niece or nephew, first or second cousin, or stepparent who provides care in the family abode on a 24 hour basis to an Indian child as defined in 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903(4). (25) "Shelter care" means temporary physical care in a facility licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030 or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030 . (26) "Sibling" means a child's birth brother, birth sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, half-brother, or half-sister, or as defined by the law or custom of the Indian child's tribe for an Indian child as defined in RCW 13.38.040 . (27) "Social study" means a written evaluation of matters relevant to the disposition of the case that contains the information required by RCW 13.34.430 . (28) "Supervised independent living setting" includes, but is not limited to, apartment living, room and board arrangements, college or university dormitories, and shared roommate settings. Supervised independent living settings must be approved by the department or the court. (29) "Supervised independent living subsidy" has the same meaning as in RCW 74.13.020 . (30) "Voluntary placement agreement" has, for the purposes of extended foster care services, the same meaning as in RCW 74.13.336 .
RCW 13.38.090 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 090
RCW 13.38.090: Right to intervene.
Status: in_force

The Indian child, the Indian child's tribe or tribes, and the Indian custodian have the right to intervene at any point in any child custody proceeding involving the Indian child.
RCW 13.34.430 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 430
RCW 13.34.430: Social study—Required information.
Status: in_force

A social study as defined in this chapter must contain the following information: (1) A statement of the specific harm or harms to the child that intervention is designed to alleviate; (2) A description of the specific services and activities, for both the parents and child, that are needed in order to prevent serious harm to the child; the reasons why such services and activities are likely to be useful; the availability of any proposed services; and the agency's overall plan for ensuring that the services will be delivered. The description shall identify the services chosen and approved by the parent; (3) If removal is recommended, a full description of the reasons why the child cannot be protected adequately in the home, including a description of any previous efforts to work with the parents and the child in the home; the in-home treatment programs that have been considered and rejected; the prevention services, including housing assistance, that have been offered or provided and have failed to prevent the need for out-of-home placement, unless the health, safety, and welfare of the child cannot be protected adequately in the home; and the parents' attitude toward placement of the child; (4)(a) If the child is placed, for at least thirty days, in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in this chapter, a copy of the assessment described in RCW 13.34.420 . (b) As long as the child remains placed in a qualified residential treatment program and the department anticipates that the child will remain in this placement for at least sixty days, or if the child has already been in this placement for at least sixty days, the social study must also include the following information sufficient for the juvenile court to determine at each status hearing concerning the child: (i) Whether ongoing assessment of the child's strengths and needs continues to support the determination that the child's needs cannot be met through placement in a foster family home; (ii) Whether the child's placement provides the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment; (iii) Whether the placement is consistent with the child's permanency plan; (iv) What specific treatment or service needs will be met in the placement, and how long the child is expected to need the treatment or services; and (v) What efforts the department has made to prepare the child to return home or be placed with a fit and willing relative as defined in RCW 13.34.030 , a Title 13 RCW legal guardian, an adoptive parent, or in a foster family home; (5) A statement of the likely harms the child will suffer as a result of removal; (6) A description of the steps that will be taken to minimize the harm to the child that may result if separation occurs including an assessment of the child's relationship and emotional bond with any siblings, and the agency's plan to provide ongoing contact between the child and the child's siblings if appropriate; and (7) Behavior that will be expected before determination that supervision of the family or placement is no longer necessary.
RCW 13.32A.030 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 030
RCW 13.32A.030: Definitions—Regulating leave from semi-secure facility.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise: (1) "Abuse or neglect" means the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances that indicate the child's health, welfare, and safety is harmed, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100 . An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined in this section. (2) "Administrator" means the individual who has the daily administrative responsibility of a crisis residential center, or his or her designee. (3) "At-risk youth" means a juvenile: (a) Who is absent from home for at least seventy-two consecutive hours without consent of his or her parent; (b) Who is beyond the control of his or her parent such that the child's behavior endangers the health, safety, or welfare of the child or any other person; or (c) Who has a substance abuse problem for which there are no pending criminal charges related to the substance abuse. (4) "Child," "juvenile," "youth," and "minor" mean any unemancipated individual who is under the chronological age of eighteen years. (5) "Child in need of services" means a juvenile: (a) Who is beyond the control of his or her parent such that the child's behavior endangers the health, safety, or welfare of the child or any other person; (b) Who has been reported to law enforcement as absent without consent for at least twenty-four consecutive hours on two or more separate occasions from the home of either parent, a crisis residential center, an out-of-home placement, or a court-ordered placement; and (i) Has exhibited a serious substance abuse problem; or (ii) Has exhibited behaviors that create a serious risk of harm to the health, safety, or welfare of the child or any other person; (c)(i) Who is in need of: (A) Necessary services, including food, shelter, health care, clothing, or education; or (B) services designed to maintain or reunite the family; (ii) Who lacks access to, or has declined to use, these services; and (iii) Whose parents have evidenced continuing but unsuccessful efforts to maintain the family structure or are unable or unwilling to continue efforts to maintain the family structure; or (d) Who is a "sexually exploited child." (6) "Child in need of services petition" means a petition filed in juvenile court by a parent, child, or the department seeking adjudication of placement of the child. (7) "Community-based family reconciliation services" means family reconciliation services as defined in this section that are provided by a community-based entity under contract with the department. (8) "Crisis residential center" means a secure or semi-secure facility established pursuant to chapter 74.13 RCW. (9) "Custodian" means the person or entity that has the legal right to custody of the child. (10) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families. (11) "Extended family member" means an adult who is a grandparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, or first cousin with whom the child has a relationship and is comfortable, and who is willing and available to care for the child. (12) "Family reconciliation services" means services provided by culturally relevant, trauma-informed community-based entities under contract with the department, or provided directly by the department, designed to assess and stabilize the family with the goal of resolving crisis and building supports, skills, and connection to community networks and resources including, but not limited to: (a) Referrals for services for suicide prevention, psychiatric or other medical care, psychological care, behavioral health treatment, legal assistance, or educational assistance; (b) Parent training; (c) Assistance with conflict management or dispute resolution; or (d) Other social services, as appropriate to meet the needs of the child and the family. (13) "Guardian" means the person or agency that (a) has been appointed as the guardian of a child in a legal proceeding other than a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW, and (b) has the legal right to custody of the child pursuant to such appointment. The term "guardian" does not include a "dependency guardian" appointed pursuant to a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW. (14) "Multidisciplinary team" means a group formed to provide assistance and support to a child who is an at-risk youth or a child in need of services and his or her parent. The team must include the parent, a department caseworker, a local government representative when authorized by the local government, and when appropriate, members from the mental health and substance abuse disciplines. The team may also include, but is not limited to, the following persons: Educators, law enforcement personnel, probation officers, employers, church persons, tribal members, therapists, medical personnel, social service providers, placement providers, and extended family members. The team members must be volunteers who do not receive compensation while acting in a capacity as a team member, unless the member's employer chooses to provide compensation or the member is a state employee. (15) "Out-of-home placement" means a placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or placement in a home, other than that of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. (16) "Parent" means the parent or parents who have the legal right to custody of the child. "Parent" includes custodian or guardian. (17) "Secure facility" means a crisis residential center, or portion thereof, that has locking doors, locking windows, or a secured perimeter, designed and operated to prevent a child from leaving without permission of the facility staff. (18) "Semi-secure facility" means any facility, including but not limited to crisis residential centers or specialized foster family homes, operated in a manner to reasonably assure that youth placed there will not run away. Pursuant to rules established by the department, the facility administrator shall establish reasonable hours for residents to come and go from the facility such that no residents are free to come and go at all hours of the day and night. To prevent residents from taking unreasonable actions, the facility administrator, where appropriate, may condition a resident's leaving the facility upon the resident being accompanied by the administrator or the administrator's designee and the resident may be required to notify the administrator or the administrator's designee of any intent to leave, his or her intended destination, and the probable time of his or her return to the center. (19) "Sexually exploited child" means any person under the age of eighteen who is a victim of the crime of commercial sex abuse of a minor under RCW 9.68A.100 , promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor under RCW 9.68A.101 , or promoting travel for commercial sexual abuse of a minor under RCW 9.68A.102 . (20) "Staff secure facility" means a structured group care facility licensed under rules adopted by the department with a ratio of at least one adult staff member to every two children. (21) "Temporary out-of-home placement" means an out-of-home placement of not more than fourteen days ordered by the court at a fact-finding hearing on a child in need of services petition.
RCW 13.38.120 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 120
RCW 13.38.120: Right to examine reports, other documents.
Status: in_force

Each party to a child custody proceeding involving an Indian child shall have the right to examine all reports or other documents filed with the court upon which any decision with respect to the proceeding may be based.
RCW 13.32A.177 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 177
RCW 13.32A.177: Out-of-home placement—Determination of support payments.
Status: in_force

A determination of support payments ordered under RCW 13.32A.175 shall be based upon chapter 26.19 RCW.
RCW 13.36.080 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 36 / Section 080
RCW 13.36.080: Appointment of guardian ad litem or attorney for the child.
Status: in_force

In all proceedings to establish, modify, or terminate a guardianship order, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney for the child. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney who represented the child in a prior proceeding under this chapter or under chapter 13.34 RCW, or may appoint an attorney to supersede an existing guardian ad litem.
RCW 13.04.800 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 800
RCW 13.04.800: Report to legislature—2021 c 206 ss 2 and 3; 2019 c 322 ss 2-6; 2018 c 162.
Status: in_force

(1) The Washington state institute for public policy must: (a) Assess the impact of chapter 162, Laws of 2018, sections 2 through 6, chapter 322, Laws of 2019, and sections 2 and 3, chapter 206, Laws of 2021 on community safety, racial disproportionality, recidivism, state expenditures, and youth rehabilitation, to the extent possible; and (b) Conduct a cost-benefit analysis, including health impacts and recidivism effects, of extending RCW 72.01.410 to include all offenses committed under the age of twenty-one. (2) The institute shall submit, in compliance with RCW 43.01.036 , a preliminary report on the requirements listed in subsection (1) of this section to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2023, and a final report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2031.
RCW 13.06.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 06 / Section 020
RCW 13.06.020: State to share in cost.
Status: in_force

From any state moneys made available for such purpose, the state of Washington, through the department of children, youth, and families, shall, in accordance with this chapter and applicable departmental rules, share in the cost of providing services to juveniles.
RCW 13.34.147 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 147
RCW 13.34.147: Case review panel—Creation—Duties.
Status: in_force

(1) Within the department's appropriations, the department shall ensure that a case review panel reviews cases involving dependent children where permanency is not achieved for children within eighteen months after being placed in out-of-home care. (2) The case review panel shall be comprised of, at a minimum, a lead social services specialist and either the office of the family and children's ombuds or another external organization with child welfare experience. (3) Beginning September 1, 2018, the panel shall review all cases where, after October 19, 2017, a dependent child reaches eighteen months in out-of-home placement and has not achieved permanency. This review must occur by the child's nineteenth month in out-of-home placement. At each case review, the panel must develop a plan of action, including recommended next steps for the department to take, to achieve permanency. (4) The department is encouraged to convene the case review panel regularly to review other cases involving dependent children as needed to ensure stability and permanency is achieved and length of stay for children in out-of-home placement is reduced.
RCW 13.40.460 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 460
RCW 13.40.460: Juvenile rehabilitation programs—Administration.
Status: in_force

The secretary or the secretary's designee shall manage and administer the department's juvenile rehabilitation responsibilities, including but not limited to the operation of all state institutions or facilities used for juvenile rehabilitation. The secretary or the secretary's designee shall: (1) Prepare a biennial budget request sufficient to meet the confinement and rehabilitative needs of the juvenile rehabilitation program, as forecast by the office of financial management; (2) Create by rule a formal system for inmate classification. This classification system shall consider: (a) Public safety; (b) Internal security and staff safety; (c) Rehabilitative resources both within and outside the department; (d) An assessment of each offender's risk of sexually aggressive behavior as provided in RCW 13.40.470 ; and (e) An assessment of each offender's vulnerability to sexually aggressive behavior as provided in RCW 13.40.470 ; (3) Develop agreements with local jurisdictions to develop regional facilities with a variety of custody levels; (4) Adopt rules establishing effective disciplinary policies to maintain order within institutions; (5) Develop a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation process to be used at intake, including but not limited to evaluation for substance addiction or abuse, literacy, learning disabilities, fetal alcohol syndrome or effect, attention deficit disorder, and mental health; (6) Develop placement criteria: (a) To avoid assigning youth who present a moderate or high risk of sexually aggressive behavior to the same sleeping quarters as youth assessed as vulnerable to sexual victimization under RCW 13.40.470 (1)(c); and (b) To avoid placing a juvenile offender on parole status who has been assessed as a moderate to high risk for sexually aggressive behavior in a department community residential program with another child who is: (i) Dependent under chapter 13.34 RCW, or an at-risk youth or child in need of services under chapter 13.32A RCW; and (ii) not also a juvenile offender on parole status; (7) Develop a plan to implement, by July 1, 1995: (a) Substance abuse treatment programs for all state juvenile rehabilitation facilities and institutions; (b) Vocational education and instruction programs at all state juvenile rehabilitation facilities and institutions; and (c) An educational program to establish self-worth and responsibility in juvenile offenders. This educational program shall emphasize instruction in character-building principles such as: Respect for self, others, and authority; victim awareness; accountability; work ethics; good citizenship; and life skills; and (8)(a) The department shall develop uniform policies related to custodial assaults consistent with RCW 72.01.045 and 9A.36.100 that are to be followed in all juvenile rehabilitation facilities; and (b) The department will report assaults in accordance with the policies developed in (a) of this subsection.
RCW 13.04.035 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 035
RCW 13.04.035: Administrator of juvenile court, probation counselor, and detention services—Appointment.
Status: in_force

Juvenile court shall be administered by the superior court, except that by local court rule and agreement with the legislative authority of the county this service may be administered by the legislative authority of the county. Juvenile probation counselor and detention services shall be administered by the superior court, except that (1) by local court rule and agreement with the county legislative authority, these services may be administered by the county legislative authority; (2) for the consortium in existence on July 23, 2017, if a consortium of three or more counties, located east of the Cascade mountains and whose combined population exceeds two hundred thousand, jointly operates a juvenile correctional facility, the county legislative authorities may prescribe for alternative administration of the juvenile correctional facility by ordinance; and (3) in any county with a population of one million or more, probation and detention services shall be administered in accordance with chapter 13.20 RCW. The administrative body shall appoint an administrator of juvenile court, probation counselor, and detention services who shall be responsible for day-to-day administration of such services, and who may also serve in the capacity of a probation counselor. One person may, pursuant to the agreement of more than one administrative body, serve as administrator of more than one juvenile court. If a county participating in a consortium authorized under subsection (2) of this section withdraws from participation, the withdrawing county may rejoin the consortium at a later time so long as a majority of the consortium members agree.
RCW 13.40.040 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 040
RCW 13.40.040: Taking juvenile into custody, grounds—Detention of, grounds—Detention pending disposition—Release on bond, conditions—Bail jumping.
Status: in_force

(1) A juvenile may be taken into custody: (a) Pursuant to a court order if a complaint is filed with the court alleging, and the court finds probable cause to believe, that the juvenile has committed an offense or has violated terms of a disposition order or release order; or (b) Without a court order, by a law enforcement officer if grounds exist for the arrest of an adult in identical circumstances. Admission to, and continued custody in, a court detention facility shall be governed by subsection (2) of this section; or (c) Pursuant to a court order that the juvenile be held as a material witness; or (d) Where the secretary or the secretary's designee has suspended the parole of a juvenile offender. (2) A juvenile may not be held in detention unless there is probable cause to believe that: (a) The juvenile has committed an offense or has violated the terms of a disposition order; and (i) The juvenile will likely fail to appear for further proceedings; or (ii) Detention is required to protect the juvenile from himself or herself; or (iii) The juvenile is a threat to community safety; or (iv) The juvenile will intimidate witnesses or otherwise unlawfully interfere with the administration of justice; or (v) The juvenile has committed a crime while another case was pending; or (b) The juvenile is a fugitive from justice; or (c) The juvenile's parole has been suspended or modified; or (d) The juvenile is a material witness. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, and within available funds, a juvenile who has been found guilty of one of the following offenses shall be detained pending disposition: Rape in the first or second degree (RCW 9A.44.040 and 9A.44.050 ); or rape of a child in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.073 ). (4) Upon a finding that members of the community have threatened the health of a juvenile taken into custody, at the juvenile's request the court may order continued detention pending further order of the court. (5) Except as provided in RCW 9.41.280 , a juvenile detained under this section may be released upon posting a probation bond set by the court. The juvenile's parent or guardian may sign for the probation bond. A court authorizing such a release shall issue an order containing a statement of conditions imposed upon the juvenile and shall set the date of his or her next court appearance. The court shall advise the juvenile of any conditions specified in the order and may at any time amend such an order in order to impose additional or different conditions of release upon the juvenile or to return the juvenile to custody for failing to conform to the conditions imposed. In addition to requiring the juvenile to appear at the next court date, the court may condition the probation bond on the juvenile's compliance with conditions of release. The juvenile's parent or guardian may notify the court that the juvenile has failed to conform to the conditions of release or the provisions in the probation bond. If the parent notifies the court of the juvenile's failure to comply with the probation bond, the court shall notify the surety. As provided in the terms of the bond, the surety shall provide notice to the court of the offender's noncompliance. A juvenile may be released only to a responsible adult or the department of children, youth, and families. Failure to appear on the date scheduled by the court pursuant to this section shall constitute the crime of bail jumping.
RCW 13.34.900 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 900
RCW 13.34.900: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
RCW 13.90.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 90 / Section 020
RCW 13.90.020: Petition for guardianship—Requirements.
Status: in_force

(1) A vulnerable youth may petition the court that a vulnerable youth guardianship be established for him or her by filing a petition in juvenile court under this chapter. The proposed guardian must agree to join in the petition, and must receive notice of the petition. (2) To be designated as a proposed guardian in a petition under this chapter, a person must be age twenty-one or over, suitable, and capable of performing the duties of guardian under RCW 13.90.040 , including but not limited to parents, licensed foster parents, relatives, and suitable persons. (3) The petition must allege and show that: (a) Both the petitioner and the proposed guardian agree to the establishment of a guardianship; (b) The youth is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years; (c) The youth is prima facie eligible to apply for classification under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J); (d) The youth requests the support of a responsible adult; and (e) The proposed guardian agrees to serve as guardian, and is a suitable adult over twenty-one years old who is capable of performing the duties of a guardian as stated in RCW 13.90.040 . (4) There must be no fee associated with the filing of a vulnerable youth guardianship petition by or for a vulnerable youth under this section.
RCW 13.40.196 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 196
RCW 13.40.196: Firearms—Special allegation.
Status: in_force

A prosecutor may file a special allegation that the offender or an accomplice was armed with a firearm when the offender committed the alleged offense. If a special allegation has been filed and the court finds that the offender committed the alleged offense, the court shall also make a finding whether the offender or an accomplice was armed with a firearm when the offender committed the offense.
RCW 13.40.213 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 213
RCW 13.40.213: Juveniles alleged to have committed a prostitution loitering offense—Diversion.
Status: in_force

(1) When a juvenile is alleged to have committed a prostitution loitering offense, and the allegation, if proved, would not be the juvenile's first offense, a prosecutor may divert the offense if the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed has a comprehensive program that provides: (a) Safe and stable housing; (b) Comprehensive on-site case management; (c) Integrated mental health and chemical dependency services, including specialized trauma recovery services; (d) Education and employment training delivered on-site; and (e) Referrals to off-site specialized services, as appropriate. (2) A prosecutor may divert a case for prostitution loitering into the comprehensive program described in this section, notwithstanding the filing criteria set forth in RCW 13.40.070 (5). (3) A diversion agreement under this section may extend to twelve months. (4)(a) The administrative office of the courts shall compile data regarding: (i) The number of juveniles whose cases are diverted into the comprehensive program described in this section; (ii) Whether the juveniles complete their diversion agreements under this section; and (iii) Whether juveniles whose cases have been diverted under this section have been subsequently arrested or committed subsequent offenses. (b) An annual report of the data compiled shall be provided to the governor and the appropriate committee of the legislature.
RCW 13.34.400 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 400
RCW 13.34.400: Child welfare proceedings—Placement—Documentation.
Status: in_force

In any proceeding under this chapter, if the department submits a report to the court in which the department is recommending a new placement or a change in placement, the department shall include the documents relevant to persons in the home in which a child will be placed and listed in subsections (1) through (5) of this section to the report. The department shall include only these relevant documents and shall not attach the entire history of the subject of the report. (1) If the report contains a recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department relating to substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, anger management classes, or domestic violence classes, the department shall attach the document upon which the recommendation, opinion, or assertion was based. The documentation may include the progress report or evaluation submitted by the provider, but may not include the entire history with the provider. (2) If the report contains a recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department or agency relating to visitation with a child, the department shall attach the document upon which the recommendation, opinion, or assertion was based. The documentation may include the most recent visitation report, a visitation report referencing a specific incident alleged in the report, or summary of the visitation prepared by the person who supervised the visitation. The documentation attached to the report shall not include the entire visitation history. (3) If the report contains a recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department relating to the psychological status of a person, the department shall attach the document upon which the recommendation, opinion, or assertion was based. The documentation may include the progress report, evaluation, or summary submitted by the provider, but shall not include the entire history of the person. (4) If the report contains a recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department relating to injuries to a child, the department shall attach a summary of the physician's report, prepared by the physician or the physician's designee, relating to the recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department. (5) If the report contains a recommendation, opinion, or assertion by the department relating to a home study, licensing action, or background check information, the department shall attach the document or documents upon which that recommendation, opinion, or assertion is based.
RCW 13.34.161 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 161
RCW 13.34.161: Order of support for dependent child—Noncompliance—Enforcement of judgment.
Status: in_force

In any case in which the court has ordered a parent or parents, guardian, or other person having custody of a child to pay support under RCW 13.34.160 and the order has not been complied with, the court may, upon such person or persons being duly summoned or voluntarily appearing, proceed to inquire into the amount due upon the order and enter judgment for that amount against the defaulting party or parties, and the judgment shall be docketed as are other judgments for the payment of money. In such judgments, the county in which the order is entered shall be the judgment creditor, or the state may be the judgment creditor where the child is in the custody of a state agency. Judgments may be enforced by the prosecuting attorney of the county, or the attorney general where the state is the judgment creditor and any moneys recovered shall be paid into the registry of the juvenile court and shall be disbursed to such person, persons, agency, or governmental department as the court finds is entitled to it. Such judgments shall remain valid and enforceable for a period of ten years after the date of entry.
RCW 13.32A.197 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 197
RCW 13.32A.197: Disposition hearing—Additional orders for specialized treatment—Review hearings—Limitation—Use of state funds.
Status: in_force

(1) In a disposition hearing, after a finding that a child is a child in need of services or an at-risk youth, the court may adopt the additional orders authorized under this section if it finds that the child involved in those proceedings is not eligible for inpatient treatment for a mental health or substance abuse condition and requires specialized treatment. The court may order that a child be placed in a staff secure facility, other than a crisis residential center, that will provide for the child's participation in a program designed to remedy his or her behavioral difficulties or needs. The court may not enter this order unless, at the disposition hearing, it finds that the placement is clearly necessary to protect the child and that a less restrictive order would be inadequate to protect the child, given the child's age, maturity, propensity to run away from home, past exposure to serious risk when the child ran away from home, and possible future exposure to serious risk should the child run away from home again. (2) The order shall require periodic court review of the placement, with the first review hearing conducted not more than thirty days after the date of the placement. At each review hearing the court shall advise the parents of their rights under RCW 13.32A.160 (1), review the progress of the child, and determine whether the orders are still necessary for the protection of the child or a less restrictive placement would be adequate. The court shall modify its orders as it finds necessary to protect the child. Reviews of orders adopted under this section are subject to the review provisions under RCW 13.32A.190 and 13.32.198 [ 13.32A.198 ]. (3) Placements in staff secure facilities under this section shall be limited to children who meet the statutory definition of a child in need of services or an at-risk youth as defined in RCW 13.32A.030 . (4) State funds may only be used to pay for placements under this section if, and to the extent that, such funds are appropriated to expressly pay for them.
RCW 13.22.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 22 / Section 020
RCW 13.22.020: Juvenile solitary confinement prohibited—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(1) The use of solitary confinement for juveniles in a detention facility or institution is prohibited. (2) A juvenile may only be placed in isolation or room confinement in a detention facility or institution as authorized in this section. (a)(i) Total isolation and room confinement of a juvenile shall be limited in duration to no more than four hours in any twenty-four hour period. Detention facilities and institutions can exceed those four hours, including if the extension is necessary due to subsequent or multiple incidents, if the following requirements are met: (A) The reason for isolation or room confinement is documented, including the basis for the extension, the date and time the juvenile was first placed in isolation or room confinement, and when the juvenile is eventually released from isolation or room confinement; (B) An individualized plan that includes the goals and objectives to be met in order to reintegrate the juvenile to the general population is developed; (C) The detention facility or institution superintendent or his or her designee provides documented authorization every four hours thereafter. (ii) A medical and mental health assessment may occur after the juvenile's release so as not to extend his or her time in isolation or confinement. (iii) If the total isolation or room confinement exceeds twenty-four hours, then the secretary, or his or her designee, of the department or the juvenile court administrator must provide documented authorization. (b) Each juvenile placed in isolation or room confinement shall be visually checked at least every fifteen minutes, and staff shall attend to the needs of the juvenile at that time. Staff shall attempt to communicate with an awake juvenile during required checks to evaluate and encourage the juvenile on the goals and objectives the juvenile needs to achieve in order to be released from isolation or room confinement. (c) Every instance of isolation and room confinement shall be documented in accordance with RCW 13.22.040 or 13.22.050 . (d) When a juvenile is placed in isolation or under room confinement, the juvenile must have access to: (i) Clothing; (ii) Mattress and bedding; (iii) Medication under staff supervision; (iv) A toilet and sink at least hourly; (v) A bath or shower at least daily; (vi) Necessary mental health services; and (vii) Reading material, paper, writing material, envelopes, and treatment material, unless precluded by suicide precaution level or the items would hinder staff efforts to resolve the problems that caused isolation or room confinement. (e) Staff must remove the juvenile from isolation and room confinement when one of the following requirements is met: (i) The purpose of the confinement is met; (ii) The desired behavior is evident; or (iii) The juvenile has been evaluated by a professional who has determined the juvenile is no longer an imminent risk to self, staff, or the general population. The institution or detention facility may designate who counts as a professional. (f) Isolation can be used when: (i) Isolation is necessary to prevent imminent harm based on the juvenile's behavior, and less restrictive alternatives were unsuccessful; (ii) The juvenile needs to be held in isolation awaiting transfer of facilities; (iii) The juvenile needs to be placed in isolation overnight due to disruptive behavior that prevents the nighttime routine of other juvenile residents; or (iv) It is necessary to respond to an escape attempt. (g) Room confinement can be used when it is necessary to prevent behavior that causes disruption of the detention facility or institution, but the behavior does not rise to the level of imminent harm including, but not limited to, behavior that may constitute a violation of law. (3) Nothing in this section requires that juveniles be placed with adults while in custody.
RCW 13.40.510 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 510
RCW 13.40.510: Community juvenile accountability programs—Establishment—Proposals—Guidelines.
Status: in_force

(1) In order to receive funds under RCW 13.40.500 through 13.40.540 , local governments may, through their respective agencies that administer funding for consolidated juvenile services, submit proposals that establish community juvenile accountability programs within their communities. These proposals must be submitted to the department for certification. (2) The proposals must: (a) Demonstrate that the proposals were developed with the input of the local law and justice councils established under RCW 72.09.300 ; (b) Describe how local community groups or members are involved in the implementation of the programs funded under RCW 13.40.500 through 13.40.540 ; (c) Include a description of how the grant funds will contribute to the expected outcomes of the program and the reduction of youth violence and juvenile crime in their community. Data approaches are not required to be replicated if the networks have information that addresses risks in the community for juvenile offenders. (3) A local government receiving a grant under this section shall agree that any funds received must be used efficiently to encourage the use of community-based programs that reduce the reliance on secure confinement as the sole means of holding juvenile offenders accountable for their crimes. The local government shall also agree to account for the expenditure of all funds received under the grant and to submit to audits for compliance with the grant criteria developed under RCW 13.40.520 . (4) The department, in consultation with the Washington association of juvenile court administrators and the state law and justice advisory council, shall establish guidelines for programs that may be funded under RCW 13.40.500 through 13.40.540 . The guidelines must: (a) Target referred and diverted youth, as well as adjudicated juvenile offenders; (b) Include assessment methods to determine services, programs, and intervention strategies most likely to change behaviors and norms of juvenile offenders; (c) Provide maximum structured supervision in the community. Programs should use natural surveillance and community guardians such as employers, relatives, teachers, clergy, and community mentors to the greatest extent possible; (d) Promote good work ethic values and educational skills and competencies necessary for the juvenile offender to function effectively and positively in the community; (e) Maximize the efficient delivery of treatment services aimed at reducing risk factors associated with the commission of juvenile offenses; (f) Maximize the reintegration of the juvenile offender into the community upon release from confinement; (g) Maximize the juvenile offender's opportunities to make full restitution to the victims and amends to the community; (h) Support and encourage increased court discretion in imposing community-based intervention strategies; (i) Be compatible with research that shows which prevention and early intervention strategies work with juvenile offenders; (j) Be outcome-based in that it describes what outcomes will be achieved or what outcomes have already been achieved; (k) Include an evaluation component; and (l) Recognize the diversity of local needs. (5) The state law and justice advisory council may provide support and technical assistance to local governments for training and education regarding community-based prevention and intervention strategies. (6) For purposes of this section and RCW * 13.40.541 and 13.40.511 , "referred youth" means a youth who: (a) Was contacted by a law enforcement officer and the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that he or she has committed a crime; (b) Was referred to a program that allows youth to enter before being diverted or charged with a juvenile offense; and (c) Would have been diverted or charged with a juvenile offense, if not for the program to which he or she was referred.
RCW 13.90.901 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 90 / Section 901
RCW 13.90.901: Findings—Intent—2017 c 279.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature finds and declares the following: (a) Washington law grants the superior courts jurisdiction to make judicial determinations regarding the custody and care of youth within the meaning of the federal immigration and nationality act. Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(b), the term "child" means an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age. Superior courts are empowered to make the findings necessary for a youth to petition the United States citizenship and immigration services for classification under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J). (b) 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J) offers interim relief from deportation to undocumented, unmarried immigrant youth under twenty-one years old, if a state court with jurisdiction over juveniles has made specific findings. (c) The findings necessary for a youth to petition for classification under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J) include, among others, a finding that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis under state law, and a finding that it is not in the youth's best interest to be returned to the youth's country of origin. (d) Misalignment between state and federal law continues to exist. Federal law allows a person under twenty-one years old, who otherwise meets the requirements for eligibility under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J), to file for relief. In Washington, however, vulnerable youth who are between eighteen and twenty-one years old have largely been unable to obtain the findings from the superior court necessary to seek classification under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J) and the relief that it was intended to afford them, solely because superior courts cannot take jurisdiction of these vulnerable youth under current law. This is true despite the fact that many vulnerable youth between eighteen and twenty-one years old face circumstances identical to those faced by their younger counterparts. (e) Given the recent influx of vulnerable youth arriving to the United States, many of whom have been released to family members and other adults in Washington, and who have experienced parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment, it is necessary to provide an avenue for these vulnerable youth to petition the superior courts to appoint a guardian of the person, even if the youth is over eighteen years old. This is particularly necessary in light of the vulnerability of this class of youth, and their need for a custodial relationship with a responsible adult as they adjust to a new cultural context, language, and education system, and recover from the trauma of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. These custodial arrangements promote the long-term well-being and stability of vulnerable youth present in the United States who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents. (f) The legislature has an interest in combating human trafficking throughout Washington state. In 2003, Washington became the first state to enact a law making human trafficking a crime and has since continued its efforts to provide support services for victims of human trafficking while also raising awareness of human trafficking. Vulnerable youth who have been subject to parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment are particularly susceptible to becoming victims of human trafficking. By creating an avenue for a vulnerable youth guardianship for certain eligible individuals between eighteen and twenty-one years old, the legislature will provide such youth with the possibility for additional support and protection that a guardian can offer, which will make these youth less likely to become targets for human traffickers. Guardians can support vulnerable youth by providing them stable housing and caring for their basic necessities, which may help alleviate many of the risk factors that make such youth prime targets for trafficking and exploitation. (g) Vulnerable youth guardianships of the person may be necessary and appropriate for these individuals, even between eighteen and twenty-one years old, although a vulnerable youth for whom a guardian has been appointed retains the rights of an adult under Washington law. (2) It is the intent of the legislature to give the juvenile division of superior courts jurisdiction to appoint a guardian for a consenting vulnerable youth between eighteen, up to the age of twenty-one who has been abandoned, neglected, or abused by one or both parents, or for whom the court determines that a guardian is otherwise necessary as one or both parents cannot adequately provide for the youth such that the youth risks physical or psychological harm if returned to the youth's home. The juvenile court will have jurisdiction to make the findings necessary for a vulnerable youth to petition for classification under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(27)(J). It is further the intent of the legislature to provide an avenue for a person between eighteen and twenty-one years old to have a guardian of the person appointed beyond eighteen years old if the youth so requests or consents to the appointment of a guardian as provided in RCW 13.90.030 .
RCW 13.40.720 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 720
RCW 13.40.720: Imposition of legal financial obligations—City, town, or county authority.
Status: in_force

Cities, towns, and counties may not impose any legal financial obligations, fees, fines, or costs associated with juvenile offenses unless there is express statutory authority for those legal financial obligations, fees, fines, or costs.
RCW 13.34.102 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 102
RCW 13.34.102: Guardian ad litem—Training—Registry—Selection—Substitution—Exception.
Status: in_force

(1) All guardians ad litem must comply with the training requirements established under RCW 2.56.030 (15), prior to their appointment in cases under Title 13 RCW, except that volunteer guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates may comply with alternative training requirements approved by the administrative office of the courts that meet or exceed the statewide requirements. (2)(a) Each guardian ad litem program for compensated guardians ad litem shall establish a rotational registry system for the appointment of guardians ad litem. If a judicial district does not have a program the court shall establish the rotational registry system. Guardians ad litem shall be selected from the registry except in exceptional circumstances as determined and documented by the court. The parties may make a joint recommendation for the appointment of a guardian ad litem from the registry. (b) In judicial districts with a population over one hundred thousand, a list of three names shall be selected from the registry and given to the parties along with the background information as specified in RCW 13.34.100 (3), including their hourly rate for services. Each party may, within three judicial days, strike one name from the list. If more than one name remains on the list, the court shall make the appointment from the names on the list. In the event all three names are stricken the person whose name appears next on the registry shall be appointed. (c) If a party reasonably believes that the appointed guardian ad litem lacks the necessary expertise for the proceeding, charges an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding, or has a conflict of interest, the party may, within three judicial days from the appointment, move for substitution of the appointed guardian ad litem by filing a motion with the court. (d) The superior court shall remove any person from the guardian ad litem registry who misrepresents his or her qualifications pursuant to a grievance procedure established by the court. (3) The rotational registry system shall not apply to court-appointed special advocate programs.
RCW 13.40.480 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 480
RCW 13.40.480: Student records and information—Reasons for release—Who may request.
Status: in_force

(1) Pursuant to RCW 28A.600.475 , and to the extent permitted by the family educational and privacy rights act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g(b), and in order to serve the juvenile while in detention and to prepare any postconviction services, schools shall make all student records and information necessary for risk assessment, security classification, and placement available to court personnel and the department within three working days of a request under this section. (2)(a) When a juvenile has one or more prior convictions, a request for records shall be made by the county prosecuting attorney, or probation department if available, to the school not more than ten days following the juvenile's arrest or detention, whichever occurs later, and prior to trial. The request may be made by subpoena. (b) Where a juvenile has no prior conviction, a request to release records shall be made by subpoena upon the juvenile's conviction. When the request for a juvenile's student records and information is made by subpoena following conviction, the court or other issuing agency shall order the school on which the subpoena is served not to disclose to any person the existence or contents of the subpoena or any information furnished in response to the subpoena. When the court or issuing agency so orders, the school shall not provide notice to the juvenile or his or her parents.
RCW 13.38.080 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 080
RCW 13.38.080: Transfer of jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(1) In any proceeding for the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child who is not domiciled or residing within the reservation of the Indian child's tribe, the court shall, in the absence of good cause to the contrary, transfer the proceeding to the jurisdiction of the Indian child's tribe, upon the motion of any of the following persons: (a) Either of the child's parents; (b) The child's Indian custodian; (c) The child's tribe; or (d) The child, if age twelve or older. The transfer shall be subject to declination by the tribe. The tribe shall have seventy-five days to affirmatively respond to a motion or order transferring jurisdiction to the tribal court. A failure of the tribe to respond within the seventy-five day period shall be construed as a declination to accept transfer of the case. (2) If the child's tribe has not formally intervened, the moving party shall serve a copy of the motion and all supporting documents on the tribal court to which the moving party seeks transfer. (3) If either of the Indian child's parents objects to transfer of the proceeding to the Indian child's tribe, the court shall not transfer the proceeding. (4) Following entry of an order transferring jurisdiction to the Indian child's tribe: (a) Upon receipt of an order from a tribal court accepting jurisdiction, the state court shall dismiss the child custody proceeding without prejudice. (b) Pending receipt of such tribal court order, the state court may conduct additional hearings and enter orders which strictly comply with the requirements of the federal Indian child welfare act and this chapter. The state court shall not enter a final order in any child custody proceeding, except an order dismissing the proceeding and returning the Indian child to the care of the parent or Indian custodian from whose care the child was removed, while awaiting receipt of a tribal court order accepting jurisdiction, or in the absence of a tribal court order or other formal written declination of jurisdiction. (c) If the Indian child's tribe declines jurisdiction, the state court shall enter an order vacating the order transferring jurisdiction and proceed with adjudication of the child custody matter in strict compliance with the federal Indian child welfare act, this chapter, and any applicable tribal-state agreement.
RCW 13.32A.086 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 086
RCW 13.32A.086: Duty of law enforcement agencies to identify runaway children under RCW 43.43.510.
Status: in_force

Whenever a law enforcement agency receives a report from a parent that his or her child, or child over whom the parent has custody, has without permission of the parent left the home or residence lawfully prescribed for the child under circumstances where the parent believes that the child has run away from the home or the residence, the agency shall provide for placing information identifying the child in files under RCW 43.43.510 .
RCW 13.40.520 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 520
RCW 13.40.520: Community juvenile accountability programs—Grants.
Status: in_force

(1) The state may make grants to local governments for the provision of community-based programs for juvenile offenders. The grants must be made under a grant formula developed by the department, in consultation with the Washington association of juvenile court administrators. (2) Upon certification by the department that a proposal satisfies the application and selection criteria, grant funds will be distributed to the local government agency that administers funding for consolidated juvenile services.
RCW 13.80.050 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 80 / Section 050
RCW 13.80.050: Evaluation.
Status: in_force

The department shall periodically evaluate the program including but not limited to providing data on the youth served, the type and extent of court involvement, the type of services provided, the length of stay of each student in the program, the academic progress of the youth, the recidivism rate, and rates of employment and enrollment in postsecondary education.
RCW 13.24.060 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 24 / Section 060
RCW 13.24.060: Responsibilities of state departments, agencies and officers.
Status: in_force

The courts, departments, agencies and officers of this state and its subdivisions shall enforce this compact and shall do all things appropriate to the effectuation of its purposes and intent which may be within their respective jurisdictions.
RCW 13.38.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 020
RCW 13.38.020: Application.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall apply in all child custody proceedings as that term is defined in this chapter. Whenever there is a conflict between chapter 13.32A , 13.34, 13.36, *26.10, or 26.33 RCW, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.
RCW 13.40.740 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 740
RCW 13.40.740: Juvenile access to an attorney.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, law enforcement shall provide a juvenile with access to an attorney for consultation, which may be provided in person, by telephone, or by videoconference, before the juvenile waives any constitutional rights if a law enforcement officer: (a) Questions a juvenile during a custodial interrogation; (b) Detains a juvenile based on probable cause of involvement in criminal activity; or (c) Requests that the juvenile provide consent to an evidentiary search of the juvenile or the juvenile's property, dwellings, or vehicles under the juvenile's control. (2) The consultation required by subsection (1) of this section may not be waived. (3) Statements made by a juvenile after the juvenile is contacted by a law enforcement officer in a manner described under subsection (1) of this section are not admissible in a juvenile offender or adult criminal court proceeding, unless: (a) The juvenile has been provided with access to an attorney for consultation; and the juvenile provides an express waiver knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made by the juvenile after the juvenile has been fully informed of the rights being waived as required under RCW 13.40.140 ; (b) The statement is for impeachment purposes; or (c) The statement was made spontaneously. (4) A law enforcement officer may question a juvenile without following the requirement in subsection (1) of this section if: (a) The law enforcement officer believes the juvenile is a victim of trafficking as defined in RCW 9A.40.100 ; however, any information obtained from the juvenile by law enforcement pursuant to this subsection cannot be used in any prosecution of that juvenile; or (b)(i) The law enforcement officer believes that the information sought is necessary to protect an individual's life from an imminent threat; (ii) A delay to allow legal consultation would impede the protection of an individual's life from an imminent threat; and (iii) Questioning by the law enforcement officer is limited to matters reasonably expected to obtain information necessary to protect an individual's life from an imminent threat. (5) After the juvenile has consulted with legal counsel, the juvenile may advise, direct a parent or guardian to advise, or direct legal counsel to advise the law enforcement officer that the juvenile chooses to assert a constitutional right. Any assertion of constitutional rights by the juvenile through legal counsel must be treated by a law enforcement officer as though it came from the juvenile. The waiver of any constitutional rights of the juvenile may only be made according to the requirements of RCW 13.40.140 . (6) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (a) "Juvenile" means any individual who is under the chronological age of 18 years; and (b) "Law enforcement officer" means any general authority, limited authority, or specially commissioned Washington peace officer or federal peace officer as those terms are defined in RCW 10.93.020 , including school resource officers as defined in RCW 28A.320.124 and other public officers who are responsible for enforcement of fire, building, zoning, and life and safety codes.
RCW 13.40.468 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 468
RCW 13.40.468: Juvenile rehabilitation administration—State quality assurance program.
Status: in_force

The department shall establish a state quality assurance program. The department shall monitor the implementation of intervention services funded pursuant to *RCW 13.40.466 and shall evaluate adherence to service model design and service completion rate.
RCW 13.04.116 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 116
RCW 13.04.116: Juvenile not to be confined in jail or holding facility for adults, exceptions—Enforcement.
Status: in_force

(1) A juvenile shall not be confined in a jail or holding facility for adults, except: (a) For a period not exceeding twenty-four hours excluding weekends and holidays and only for the purpose of an initial court appearance in a county where no juvenile detention facility is available, a juvenile may be held in an adult facility provided that the confinement is separate from the sight and sound of adult inmates; (b) For not more than six hours and pursuant to a lawful detention in the course of an investigation, a juvenile may be held in an adult facility provided that the confinement is separate from the sight and sound of adult inmates; or (c) For a juvenile who is subject to exclusive adult criminal court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or who has been transferred to adult criminal court under RCW 13.40.110 , the juvenile may not be held in a jail or holding facility for a period exceeding twenty-four hours excluding weekends and holidays, unless a court finds, after a hearing and in writing, that it is in the interest of justice. (i) If a court determines that it is in the interest of justice to permit a juvenile who is subject to exclusive adult criminal court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or who has been transferred to adult criminal court under RCW 13.40.110 to be held in a jail or holding facility, the juvenile may not have sight or sound contact with adult inmates, unless the court also finds, after a hearing and in writing, that it is in the interest of justice to permit sight or sound contact with adult inmates. In making the determination regarding sight or sound contact with adult inmates under this subsection, the court shall consider: (A) The age of the juvenile; (B) The physical and mental maturity of the juvenile; (C) The present mental state of the juvenile, including whether the juvenile presents an imminent risk of harm to himself or herself; (D) The nature and circumstances of the alleged offense; (E) The juvenile's history of prior delinquent acts; (F) The relative ability of the available adult and juvenile detention facilities to meet the specific needs of the juvenile, protect the safety of the public, and protect other detained juveniles; and (G) Any other relevant factors. (ii) If a court determines that it is in the interest of justice to permit a juvenile who is subject to exclusive adult criminal court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or who has been transferred to adult criminal court under RCW 13.40.110 to be held in a jail or holding facility or have sight or sound contact with adult inmates under this section: (A) The court shall hold a hearing at least once every thirty days to review whether it is still in the interest of justice to permit the juvenile to be held in a jail or holding facility, as defined under RCW 70.48.020 , or have sight or sound contact with adult inmates; and (B) The juvenile shall not be held in any jail or holding facility or permitted to have sight or sound contact with adult inmates, for more than one hundred eighty days, unless: (I) The court, in writing, determines that there is good cause to allow an extension beyond one hundred eighty days; or (II) The juvenile expressly waives this limitation. (iii) A juvenile who is subject to exclusive adult criminal court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or who has been transferred to adult criminal court under RCW 13.40.110 has the right to be represented by counsel, and if indigent, to have counsel appointed for him or her by the court at any hearing held to determine whether to place the juvenile in a jail or holding facility or to continue the juvenile's placement in such a facility. (2) The department shall monitor and enforce compliance with this section. The department may use information regarding juveniles confined in a jail gathered under the authority granted by this subsection in the report required in RCW 13.22.060 (1) with respect to juveniles in the custody of a jail or holding facility. A detention facility and a governing unit for a jail or holding facility must provide assistance to the department in gathering information regarding juveniles confined in a jail or holding facility. This information must include: (a) The age, race, and gender of each juvenile; (b) The circumstances requiring the juvenile to be placed in the jail or holding facility; and (c) The length of time the juvenile was held in the jail or holding facility. (3) This section shall not be construed to expand or limit the authority to lawfully detain juveniles. (4) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (a) "Detention facility" has the same meaning as provided under RCW 13.40.020 . (b) "Governing unit" has the same meaning as provided under RCW 70.48.020 . (c) "Holding facility" has the same meaning as provided under RCW 70.48.020 . (d) "Jail" has the same meaning as provided under RCW 70.48.020 .
RCW 13.34.370 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 370
RCW 13.34.370: Evaluation of parties—Selection of evaluators.
Status: in_force

The court may order expert evaluations of parties to obtain information regarding visitation issues or other issues in a case. These evaluations shall be performed by appointed evaluators who are mutually agreed upon by the court, the department, and the parents' counsel, and, if the child is to be evaluated, by the representative for the child. If no agreement can be reached, the court shall select the expert evaluator.
RCW 13.34.385 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 385
RCW 13.34.385: Petition for visitation—Relatives of dependent children—Notice—Modification of order—Effect of granting the petition—Retroactive application.
Status: in_force

(1) A relative of a dependent child may petition the juvenile court for reasonable visitation with the child if: (a) The child has been found to be a dependent child under this chapter; (b) The parental rights of both of the child's parents have been terminated; (c) The child is in the custody of the department or another public agency; and (d) The child has not been adopted and is not in a preadoptive home or other permanent placement at the time the petition for visitation is filed. (2) The court shall give prior notice for any proceeding under this section, or cause prior notice to be given, to the department, other public agency, or agency having custody of the child, the child's attorney or guardian ad litem if applicable, and the child. The court shall also order the custodial agency to give prior notice of any hearing to the child's current foster parent, relative caregiver, guardian or custodian, and the child's tribe, if applicable. (3) The juvenile court may grant the petition for visitation if it finds that the requirements of subsection (1) of this section have been met, and that unsupervised visitation between the child and the relative does not present a risk to the child's safety or well-being and that the visitation is in the best interests of the child. In determining the best interests of the child the court shall consider, but is not limited to, the following: (a) The love, affection, and strength of the relationship between the child and the relative; (b) The length and quality of the prior relationship between the child and the relative; (c) Any criminal convictions for or founded history of abuse or neglect of a child by the relative; (d) Whether the visitation will present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety; (e) The child's reasonable preference, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express a preference; (f) Any other factor relevant to the child's best interest. (4) The visitation order may be modified at any time upon a showing that the visitation poses a risk to the child's safety or well-being. The visitation order shall state that visitation will automatically terminate upon the child's placement in a preadoptive home, if the child is adopted, or if there is a subsequent founded abuse or neglect allegation against the relative. (5) The granting of the petition under this section does not grant the relative the right to participate in the dependency action and does not grant any rights to the relative not otherwise specified in the visitation order. (6) This section is retroactive and applies to any eligible dependent child at the time of the filing of the petition for visitation, regardless of the date parental rights were terminated. (7) For the purpose of this section, "relative" means a relative as defined in RCW 74.15.020 (2)(a), except parents. (8) This section is intended to provide an additional procedure by which a relative may request visitation with a dependent child. It is not intended to impair or alter the ability a court currently has to order visitation with a relative under the dependency statutes.
RCW 13.34.190 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 190
RCW 13.34.190: Order terminating parent and child relationship—Findings.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, after hearings pursuant to RCW 13.34.110 or 13.34.130 , the court may enter an order terminating all parental rights to a child only if the court finds that: (a)(i) The allegations contained in the petition as provided in RCW 13.34.180 (1) are established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence; or (ii) The provisions of RCW 13.34.180 (1) (a), (b), (e), and (f) are established beyond a reasonable doubt and if so, then RCW 13.34.180 (1) (c) and (d) may be waived. When an infant has been abandoned, as defined in RCW 13.34.030 , and the abandonment has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then RCW 13.34.180 (1) (c) and (d) may be waived; or (iii) The allegation under *RCW 13.34.180 (2) is established beyond a reasonable doubt. In determining whether RCW 13.34.180 (1) (e) and (f) are established beyond a reasonable doubt, the court shall consider whether one or more of the aggravated circumstances listed in RCW 13.34.132 exist; or (iv) The allegation under *RCW 13.34.180 (3) is established beyond a reasonable doubt; and (b) Such an order is in the best interests of the child. (2) The provisions of chapter 13.38 RCW must be followed in any proceeding under this chapter for termination of the parent-child relationship of an Indian child as defined in RCW 13.38.040 .
RCW 13.22.900 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 22 / Section 900
RCW 13.22.900: Conflict with federal requirements—2020 c 333.
Status: in_force

If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.
RCW 13.40.500 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 500
RCW 13.40.500: Community juvenile accountability programs—Findings—Purpose.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that meaningful community involvement is vital to the juvenile justice system's ability to respond to the serious problem of juvenile crime. Citizens and crime victims need to be active partners in responding to crime, in the management of resources, and in the disposition decisions regarding juvenile offenders in their community. Involvement of citizens and crime victims increase offender accountability and build healthier communities, which will reduce recidivism and crime rates in Washington state. The legislature also finds that local governments are in the best position to develop, coordinate, and manage local community prevention, intervention, and corrections programs for juvenile offenders, and to determine local resource priorities. Local community management will build upon local values and increase local control of resources, encourage the use of a comprehensive range of community-based intervention strategies. The primary purpose of RCW 13.40.500 through 13.40.540 , the community juvenile accountability act, is to provide a continuum of community-based programs that emphasize the juvenile offender's accountability for his or her actions while assisting him or her in the development of skills necessary to function effectively and positively in the community in a manner consistent with public safety.
RCW 13.40.610 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 610
RCW 13.40.610: Youth court notification of satisfaction of conditions.
Status: in_force

Youth court may not notify the juvenile court of satisfaction of conditions until all ordered restitution has been paid.
RCW 13.40.165 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 165
RCW 13.40.165: Substance use disorder or mental health disposition alternative.
Status: in_force

(1) The purpose of this disposition alternative is to ensure that successful treatment options to reduce recidivism are available to eligible youth, pursuant to RCW 71.24.615 . It is also the purpose of the disposition alternative to assure that minors in need of substance use disorder, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorder treatment receive an appropriate continuum of culturally relevant care and treatment, including prevention and early intervention, self-directed care, parent-directed care, and residential treatment. To facilitate the continuum of care and treatment to minors in out-of-home placements, all divisions of the department that provide these services to minors shall jointly plan and deliver these services. It is also the purpose of the disposition alternative to protect the rights of minors against needless hospitalization and deprivations of liberty and to enable treatment decisions to be made in response to clinical needs and in accordance with sound professional judgment. The mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorder treatment providers shall, to the extent possible, offer services that involve minors' parents, guardians, and family. (2) The court must consider eligibility for the substance use disorder or mental health disposition alternative when a juvenile offender is subject to a standard range disposition of local sanctions or 15 to 36 weeks of confinement and has not committed an A- or B+ offense, other than a first time B+ offense under chapter 69.50 RCW. The court, on its own motion or the motion of the state or the respondent if the evidence shows that the offender may be chemically dependent, substance abusing, or has significant mental health or co-occurring disorders may order an examination by a substance use disorder counselor from a substance use disorder treatment facility approved under *chapter 70.96A RCW or a mental health professional as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW to determine if the youth is chemically dependent, substance abusing, or suffers from significant mental health or co-occurring disorders. The state shall pay the cost of any examination ordered under this subsection unless third-party insurance coverage is available. (3) The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the following: The respondent's version of the facts and the official version of the facts, the respondent's offense history, an assessment of drug-alcohol problems, mental health diagnoses, previous treatment attempts, the respondent's social, educational, and employment situation, and other evaluation measures used. The report shall set forth the sources of the examiner's information. (4) The examiner shall assess and report regarding the respondent's relative risk to the community. A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall include, at a minimum: (a) Whether inpatient and/or outpatient treatment is recommended; (b) Availability of appropriate treatment; (c) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family members, legal guardians, or others; (d) Anticipated length of treatment; and (e) Recommended crime-related prohibitions. (5) The court on its own motion may order, or on a motion by the state or the respondent shall order, a second examination. The evaluator shall be selected by the party making the motion. The requesting party shall pay the cost of any examination ordered under this subsection unless the requesting party is the offender, in which case the state shall pay the cost if no third-party insurance coverage is available. (6)(a) After receipt of reports of the examination, the court shall then consider whether the offender and the community will benefit from use of this disposition alternative and consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this section. (b) If the court determines that this disposition alternative is appropriate, then the court shall impose the standard range for the offense, or if the court concludes, and enters reasons for its conclusion, that such disposition would effectuate a manifest injustice, the court shall impose a disposition above the standard range as indicated in option D of RCW 13.40.0357 if the disposition is an increase from the standard range and the confinement of the offender does not exceed a maximum of 52 weeks, suspend execution of the disposition, and place the offender on community supervision for up to one year. As a condition of the suspended disposition, the court shall require the offender to undergo available outpatient drug/alcohol, mental health, or co-occurring disorder treatment and/or inpatient mental health or drug/alcohol treatment. The court shall only order inpatient treatment under this section if a funded bed is available. If the inpatient treatment is longer than 90 days, the court shall hold a review hearing every 30 days beyond the initial 90 days. The respondent may appear telephonically at these review hearings if in compliance with treatment. As a condition of the suspended disposition, the court may impose conditions of community supervision and other sanctions, including up to 30 days of confinement, 150 hours of community restitution, and payment of restitution. (7) The mental health/co-occurring disorder/drug/alcohol treatment provider shall submit monthly reports on the respondent's progress in treatment to the court and the parties. The reports shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following: Dates of attendance, respondent's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the respondent's relative progress in treatment, and any other material specified by the court at the time of the disposition. At the time of the disposition, the court may set treatment review hearings as the court considers appropriate. If the offender violates any condition of the disposition or the court finds that the respondent is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment, the court may impose sanctions pursuant to RCW 13.40.200 or revoke the suspension and order execution of the disposition. The court shall give credit for any confinement time previously served if that confinement was for the offense for which the suspension is being revoked. (8) For purposes of this section, "victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a direct result of the offense charged. "Victim" may also include a known parent or guardian of a victim who is a minor child or is not a minor child but is incapacitated, incompetent, disabled, or deceased. (9) Whenever a juvenile offender is entitled to credit for time spent in detention prior to a dispositional order, the dispositional order shall specifically state the number of days of credit for time served. (10) In no case shall the term of confinement imposed by the court at disposition exceed that to which an adult could be subjected for the same offense. (11) A disposition under this section is not appealable under RCW 13.40.230 . (12) Subject to funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the costs incurred by the juvenile courts for the mental health, substance use disorder, and/or co-occurring disorder evaluations, treatment, and costs of supervision required under this section shall be paid by the health care authority. (13) A juvenile, or the parent, guardian, or other person having custody of the juvenile shall not be required to pay the cost of any evaluation or treatment ordered under this section.
RCW 13.50.140 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 50 / Section 140
RCW 13.50.140: Disclosure of privileged information to office of the family and children's ombuds—Privilege not waived as to others.
Status: in_force

Any communication or advice privileged under RCW 5.60.060 that is disclosed by the office of the attorney general, the department of children, youth, and families, or the department of social and health services to the office of the family and children's ombuds may not be deemed to be a waiver of the privilege as to others.
RCW 13.04.005 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 005
RCW 13.04.005: Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the "basic juvenile court act".
RCW 13.34.265 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 265
RCW 13.34.265: Foster home placement—Considerations.
Status: in_force

If a child has been previously placed in out-of-home care and is subsequently returned to out-of-home care, and the department cannot locate an appropriate and available relative or other suitable person, the preferred placement for the child is in a foster family home where the child previously was placed, if the following conditions are met: (1) The foster family home is available and willing to care for the child; (2) The foster family is appropriate and able to meet the child's needs; and (3) The placement is in the best interest of the child.
RCW 13.32A.200 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 200
RCW 13.32A.200: Hearings under chapter—Time or place—Public excluded.
Status: in_force

(1) All hearings pursuant to this chapter may be conducted at any time or place within the county of the residence of the parent and such cases shall be heard in conjunction with the business of any other division of the superior court, except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. (2) The public shall be excluded from a child in need of services hearing if the judicial officer finds that it is in the best interest of the child. (3) The public shall be excluded from an at-risk youth hearing if: (a) The judicial officer finds that it is in the best interest of the child; or (b) Either parent requests that the public be excluded from the hearing. (4) At the beginning of the at-risk youth hearing, the judicial officer shall notify the parents that either parent has the right to request that the public be excluded from the at-risk youth hearing. (5) If the public is excluded from hearings under subsection (2) or (3) of this section, only such persons who are found by the court to have a direct interest in the case or the work of the court shall be admitted to the proceedings.
RCW 13.40.130 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 130
RCW 13.40.130: Procedure upon plea of guilty or not guilty to information allegations—Notice—Adjudicatory and disposition hearing—Disposition standards used in sentencing.
Status: in_force

(1) The respondent shall be advised of the allegations in the information and shall be required to plead guilty or not guilty to the allegation(s). The state or the respondent may make preliminary motions up to the time of the plea. (2) If the respondent pleads guilty, the court may proceed with disposition or may continue the case for a dispositional hearing. If the respondent denies guilt, an adjudicatory hearing date shall be set. The court shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian who has custody of a juvenile described in the charging document of the dispositional or adjudicatory hearing and shall require attendance. (3) At the adjudicatory hearing it shall be the burden of the prosecution to prove the allegations of the information beyond a reasonable doubt. (4) The court shall record its findings of fact and shall enter its decision upon the record. Such findings shall set forth the evidence relied upon by the court in reaching its decision. (5) If the respondent is found not guilty he or she shall be released from detention. (6) If the respondent is found guilty the court may immediately proceed to disposition or may continue the case for a dispositional hearing. Notice of the time and place of the continued hearing may be given in open court. If notice is not given in open court to a party, the party and the parent, guardian, or custodian who has custody of the juvenile shall be notified by mail of the time and place of the continued hearing. (7) The court following an adjudicatory hearing may request that a predisposition study be prepared to aid the court in its evaluation of the matters relevant to disposition of the case. (8) The disposition hearing shall be held within fourteen days after the adjudicatory hearing or plea of guilty unless good cause is shown for further delay, or within twenty-one days if the juvenile is not held in a detention facility, unless good cause is shown for further delay. (9) In sentencing an offender, the court shall use the disposition standards in effect on the date of the offense. (10) A person notified under this section who fails without reasonable cause to appear and abide by the order of the court may be proceeded against as for contempt of court. In determining whether a parent, guardian, or custodian had reasonable cause not to appear, the court may consider all factors relevant to the person's ability to appear as summoned.
RCW 13.34.270 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 270
RCW 13.34.270: Child with developmental disability—Out-of-home placement—Permanency planning hearing.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever the department of social and health services places a child with a developmental disability in out-of-home care pursuant to *RCW 74.13.350 , the department shall obtain a judicial determination within one hundred eighty days of the placement that continued placement is in the best interests of the child. If the child's out-of-home placement ends before one hundred eighty days have elapsed, no judicial determination is required. (2) To obtain the judicial determination, the department shall file a petition alleging that there is located or residing within the county a child who has a developmental disability and that the child has been placed in out-of-home care pursuant to *RCW 74.13.350 . The petition shall request that the court review the child's placement, make a determination whether continued placement is in the best interests of the child, and take other necessary action as provided in this section. The petition shall contain the name, date of birth, and residence of the child and the names and residences of the child's parent or legal guardian who has agreed to the child's placement in out-of-home care. Reasonable attempts shall be made by the department to ascertain and set forth in the petition the identity, location, and custodial status of any parent who is not a party to the placement agreement and why that parent cannot assume custody of the child. (3) Upon filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall schedule the petition for a hearing to be held no later than fourteen calendar days after the petition has been filed. The department shall provide notification of the time, date, and purpose of the hearing to the parent or legal guardian who has agreed to the child's placement in out-of-home care. The department shall also make reasonable attempts to notify any parent who is not a party to the placement agreement, if the parent's identity and location is known. Notification under this section may be given by the most expedient means, including but not limited to, mail, personal service, and telephone. (4) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child as provided in RCW 13.34.100 , unless the court for good cause finds the appointment unnecessary. (5) Permanency planning hearings shall be held as provided in this section. At the hearing, the court shall review whether the child's best interests are served by continued out-of-home placement and determine the future legal status of the child. (a) For children age ten and under, a permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least nine months and an adoption decree or guardianship order under chapter 11.130 RCW has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than twelve months following commencement of the child's current placement episode. (b) For children over age ten, a permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least fifteen months and an adoption decree or guardianship order under chapter 11.130 RCW has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than eighteen months following commencement of the current placement episode. (c) No later than ten working days before the permanency planning hearing, the department shall submit a written permanency plan to the court and shall mail a copy of the plan to all parties. The plan shall be directed toward securing a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child as soon as possible. The plan shall identify one of the following outcomes as the primary goal and may also identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent or legal guardian; adoption; guardianship; or long-term out-of-home care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the child's care provider. (d) If a goal of long-term out-of-home care has been achieved before the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remains appropriate. In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal. (e) Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the voluntary placement agreement is terminated. (6) Any party to the voluntary placement agreement may terminate the agreement at any time. Upon termination of the agreement, the child shall be returned to the care of the child's parent or legal guardian, unless the child has been taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050 , placed in shelter care pursuant to RCW 13.34.060 , or placed in foster care pursuant to RCW 13.34.130 . The department shall notify the court upon termination of the voluntary placement agreement and return of the child to the care of the child's parent or legal guardian. Whenever a voluntary placement agreement is terminated, an action under this section shall be dismissed. (7) When state or federal funds are expended for the care and maintenance of a child with a developmental disability, placed in care as a result of an action under this chapter, the department shall refer the case to the division of child support, unless the department finds that there is good cause not to pursue collection of child support against the parent or parents of the child. (8) This section does not prevent the department of children, youth, and families from filing a dependency petition if there is reason to believe that the child is a dependent child as defined in RCW 13.34.030 . An action filed under this section shall be dismissed upon the filing of a dependency petition regarding a child who is the subject of the action under this section. (9) For purposes of this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, "department" means the department of social and health services.
RCW 13.34.240 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 240
RCW 13.34.240: Acts, records, and proceedings of Indian tribe or band given full faith and credit.
Status: in_force

The courts of this state shall give full faith and credit as provided for in the United States Constitution to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of any Indian tribe or band in any proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter to the same extent that full faith and credit is given to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of any other state.
RCW 13.04.093 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 093
RCW 13.04.093: Hearings—Duties of prosecuting attorney or attorney general.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney to act in proceedings relating to the commission of a juvenile offense as provided in RCW 13.40.070 and 13.40.090 and in proceedings as provided in chapter 71.34 RCW. It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney to handle delinquency cases under chapter 13.24 RCW and it shall be the duty of the attorney general to handle dependency cases under chapter 13.24 RCW. It shall be the duty of the attorney general in contested cases brought by the department to present the evidence supporting any petition alleging dependency or seeking the termination of a parent and child relationship or any contested case filed under RCW 26.33.100 or approving or disapproving out-of-home placement: PROVIDED, That in each county with a population of less than two hundred ten thousand, the attorney general may contract with the prosecuting attorney of the county to perform the duties of the attorney general under this section.
RCW 13.50.250 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 50 / Section 250
RCW 13.50.250: Records chapter applicable to.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to all juvenile justice or care agency records created on or after July 1, 1978.
RCW 13.38.100 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 100
RCW 13.38.100: Full faith and credit.
Status: in_force

The state shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, judicial proceedings, and judgments of any Indian tribe applicable to Indian child custody proceedings.
RCW 13.60.050 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 60 / Section 050
RCW 13.60.050: Endangered missing person advisory plan.
Status: in_force

Within existing resources, the Washington state patrol shall develop and implement a plan, commonly known as an "endangered missing person advisory plan," for voluntary cooperation between local, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies, state government agencies, radio and television stations, and cable and satellite systems to enhance the public's ability to assist in recovering endangered missing persons who do not qualify for inclusion in an amber alert.
RCW 13.36.090 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 36 / Section 090
RCW 13.36.090: Guardianship subsidies—Eligibility.
Status: in_force

(1) Any guardian who is a foster parent licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030 at the time a guardianship is established under this chapter and who has been the child's foster parent for a minimum of six consecutive months preceding entry of the guardianship order is eligible for a guardianship subsidy on behalf of the child. The department may establish rules setting eligibility, application, and program standards consistent with applicable federal guidelines for expenditure of state and federal funds. (2) A child is eligible for guardianship subsidies when: (a) The child has been placed for at least six consecutive months with a guardian who has been licensed for at least six consecutive months; or (b) The child is placed with a guardian who is already receiving a guardianship assistance subsidy for the benefit of the child's sibling. (3) A child need not be eligible for federal foster care reimbursement in order to qualify for state-funded guardianship assistance payments. (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create an entitlement to guardianship assistance subsidies.
RCW 13.90.060 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 90 / Section 060
RCW 13.90.060: Termination of guardianship.
Status: in_force

(1) The vulnerable youth guardianship terminates on the vulnerable youth's twenty-first birthday. (2) The vulnerable youth may request the termination of the vulnerable youth guardianship at any time. The court shall terminate the vulnerable youth guardianship upon the request of the vulnerable youth. The vulnerable youth may also withdraw consent to the vulnerable youth guardianship at any time. (3) The guardian may request termination of the vulnerable youth guardianship by filing a petition and supporting affidavit alleging a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the vulnerable youth or the guardian and that the termination is necessary to serve the best interests of the vulnerable youth. The petition and affidavit must be served on both parties to the vulnerable youth guardianship. (4) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the court shall not terminate a vulnerable youth guardianship unless it finds, upon the basis of facts that have arisen since the vulnerable youth guardianship was established or that were unknown to the court at the time the vulnerable youth guardianship was established, that a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the vulnerable youth or the guardian and that termination of the vulnerable youth guardianship is necessary to serve the best interests of the vulnerable youth. The effect of a guardian's duties while serving in the military potentially impacting vulnerable youth guardianship functions is not, by itself, a substantial change of circumstances justifying termination of a vulnerable youth guardianship.
RCW 13.40.280 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 280
RCW 13.40.280: Transfer of juvenile to department of corrections facility—Grounds—Hearing—Term—Retransfer to a facility for juveniles.
Status: in_force

(1) The secretary of the department of children, youth, and families, with the consent of the secretary of the department of corrections, has the authority to transfer a juvenile presently or hereafter committed to the department of children, youth, and families to the department of corrections for appropriate institutional placement in accordance with this section. (2) The secretary of the department of children, youth, and families may, with the consent of the secretary of the department of corrections, transfer a juvenile offender to the department of corrections if it is established at a hearing before a review board that continued placement of the juvenile offender in an institution for juvenile offenders presents a continuing and serious threat to the safety of others in the institution. The department of children, youth, and families shall establish rules for the conduct of the hearing, including provision of counsel for the juvenile offender. (3) Assaults made against any staff member at a juvenile corrections institution that are reported to a local law enforcement agency shall require a hearing held by the department of children, youth, and families review board within ten judicial working days. The board shall determine whether the accused juvenile offender represents a continuing and serious threat to the safety of others in the institution. (4) Upon conviction in a court of law for custodial assault as defined in RCW 9A.36.100 , the department of children, youth, and families review board shall conduct a second hearing, within five judicial working days, to recommend to the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families that the convicted juvenile be transferred to an adult correctional facility if the review board has determined the juvenile offender represents a continuing and serious threat to the safety of others in the institution. The juvenile has the burden to show cause why the transfer to an adult correctional facility should not occur. (5) A juvenile offender transferred to an institution operated by the department of corrections shall not remain in such an institution beyond the maximum term of confinement imposed by the juvenile court. (6) A juvenile offender who has been transferred to the department of corrections under this section may, in the discretion of the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families and with the consent of the secretary of the department of corrections, be transferred from an institution operated by the department of corrections to a facility for juvenile offenders deemed appropriate by the secretary.
RCW 13.34.160 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 160
RCW 13.34.160: Order of support for dependent child.
Status: in_force

(1) In an action brought under this chapter, the court may inquire into the ability of the parent or parents of the child to pay child support and may enter an order of child support as set forth in chapter 26.19 RCW. The court may enforce the same by execution, or in any way in which a court of equity may enforce its decrees. All child support orders entered pursuant to this chapter shall be in compliance with the provisions of RCW 26.23.050 . (2) For purposes of this section, if a dependent child's parent is an unmarried minor parent or pregnant minor applicant, then the parent or parents of the minor shall also be deemed a parent or parents of the dependent child. However, liability for child support under this subsection only exists if the parent or parents of the unmarried minor parent or pregnant minor applicant are provided the opportunity for a hearing on their ability to provide support. Any child support order requiring such a parent or parents to provide support for the minor parent's child may be effective only until the minor parent reaches eighteen years of age. (3) In the absence of a court order setting support, the department may establish an administrative order for support upon receipt of a referral or application for support enforcement services.
RCW 13.40.200 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 200
RCW 13.40.200: Violation of order of restitution, community supervision, or confinement—Modification of order after hearing.
Status: in_force

(1) When a respondent fails to comply with an order of restitution, community supervision, or confinement of less than 30 days, the court upon motion of the prosecutor or its own motion, may modify the order after a hearing on the violation. (2) The hearing shall afford the respondent the same due process of law as would be afforded an adult probationer. The court may issue a summons or a warrant to compel the respondent's appearance. The state shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the fact of the violation. The respondent shall have the burden of showing that the violation was not a willful refusal to comply with the terms of the order. If a respondent has failed to pay restitution or to perform community restitution hours, as required by the court, it shall be the respondent's burden to show that he or she did not have the means and could not reasonably have acquired the means to pay the restitution or to perform community restitution. (3) If the court finds that a respondent has willfully violated the terms of an order pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section, it may impose a penalty of up to 30 days' confinement. Penalties for multiple violations occurring prior to the hearing shall not be aggregated to exceed 30 days' confinement. Regardless of the number of times a respondent is brought to court for violations of the terms of a single disposition order, the combined total number of days spent by the respondent in detention shall never exceed the maximum term to which an adult could be sentenced for the underlying offense. (4) When a respondent has willfully violated the terms of a probation bond, the court may modify, revoke, or retain the probation bond as provided in RCW 13.40.054 .
RCW 13.60.110 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 60 / Section 110
RCW 13.60.110: Task force on missing and exploited children—Establishment—Activities.
Status: in_force

(1) A task force on missing and exploited children is established in the Washington state patrol. The task force shall be under the direction of the chief of the state patrol. (2) The task force is authorized to assist law enforcement agencies, upon request, in cases involving missing or exploited children by: (a) Direct assistance and case management; (b) Technical assistance; (c) Personnel training; (d) Referral for assistance from local, state, national, and international agencies; and (e) Coordination and information sharing among local, state, interstate, and federal law enforcement and social service agencies. (3) To maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of state resources and to improve interagency cooperation, the task force shall, where feasible, use existing facilities, systems, and staff made available by the state patrol and other local, state, interstate, and federal law enforcement and social service agencies. The chief of the state patrol may employ such additional personnel as are necessary for the work of the task force and may share personnel costs with other agencies. (4) The chief of the state patrol shall seek public and private grants and gifts to support the work of the task force. (5) For the purposes of this chapter, "exploited children" means children under the age of eighteen who are employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced to engage in, or assist another person to engage in, sexually explicit conduct. "Exploited children" also means the rape, molestation, or use for prostitution of children under the age of eighteen.
RCW 13.34.045 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 045
RCW 13.34.045: Educational liaison—Identification.
Status: in_force

(1) The department must identify an educational liaison for youth in grades six through twelve who are subject to a proceeding under this chapter and who meet one of the following requirements: (a) All parental rights have been terminated; (b) Parents are unavailable because of incarceration or other limitations; (c) The court has restricted contact between the youth and parents; or (d) The youth is placed in a behavioral rehabilitative setting and the court has limited the educational rights of parents. (2) If a child is placed in the custody of the department at the shelter care hearing, the department shall recommend the identified educational liaison at the shelter care hearing and all subsequent review hearings for the given case. The purpose of identifying the educational liaison at each hearing during the dependency case is to determine if the identified educational liaison remains appropriate for the case as youth change placements. (3) It is presumed that the educational liaison is the youth's parent. If a youth's parent is not able to serve as the educational liaison, the department must identify another person to act as the educational liaison. It is preferred that the educational liaison be known to the youth and be a relative, other suitable person as described in RCW 13.34.130 (1)(b), or the youth's foster parent. Birth parents with a primary plan of family reunification may serve as the educational liaison. The identified educational liaison should be a person committed to providing enduring educational support to the youth. If the department is not able to identify an adult with an existing relationship to the youth who is able to serve as the educational liaison, the court may appoint another adult as the educational liaison, such as the court-appointed special advocate if applicable, but may not appoint the youth's caseworker. In the event that any party disagrees with the department's recommendation, the court shall determine who will serve as the educational liaison based on who is most appropriate and available to act in the youth's educational interest.
RCW 13.40.212 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 212
RCW 13.40.212: Intensive supervision program—Elements.
Status: in_force

The department shall, no later than January 1, 1999, implement an intensive supervision program as a part of its parole services that includes, at a minimum, the following program elements: (1) A process of case management involving coordinated and comprehensive planning, information exchange, continuity and consistency, service provision and referral, and monitoring. The components of the case management system shall include assessment, classification, and selection criteria; individual case planning that incorporates a family and community perspective; a mixture of intensive surveillance and services; a balance of incentives and graduated consequences coupled with the imposition of realistic, enforceable conditions; and service brokerage with community resources and linkage with social networks; (2) Administration of transition services that transcend traditional agency boundaries and professional interests and include courts, institutions, aftercare, education, social and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and employment and vocational training; and (3) A plan for information management and program evaluation that maintains close oversight over implementation and quality control, and determines the effectiveness of both the processes and outcomes of the program.
RCW 13.40.462 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 462
RCW 13.40.462: Reinvesting in youth program.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall establish a reinvesting in youth program that awards grants to counties for implementing research-based early intervention services that target juvenile justice-involved youth and reduce crime, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose. (2) Effective July 1, 2007, any county or group of counties may apply for participation in the reinvesting in youth program. (3) Counties that participate in the reinvesting in youth program shall have a portion of their costs of serving youth through the research-based intervention service models paid for with moneys from the reinvesting in youth account established pursuant to *RCW 13.40.466 . (4) The department shall review county applications for funding through the reinvesting in youth program and shall select the counties that will be awarded grants with funds appropriated to implement this program. The department, in consultation with the Washington state institute for public policy, shall develop guidelines to determine which counties will be awarded funding in accordance with the reinvesting in youth program. At a minimum, counties must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the reinvesting in youth program: (a) Counties must match state moneys awarded for research-based early intervention services with nonstate resources that are at least proportional to the expected local government share of state and local government cost avoidance that would result from the implementation of such services; (b) Counties must demonstrate that state funds allocated pursuant to this section are used only for the intervention service models authorized pursuant to RCW 13.40.464 ; (c) Counties must participate fully in the state quality assurance program established in RCW 13.40.468 to ensure fidelity of program implementation. If no state quality assurance program is in effect for a particular selected research-based service, the county must submit a quality assurance plan for state approval with its grant application. Failure to demonstrate continuing compliance with quality assurance plans shall be grounds for termination of state funding; and (d) Counties that submit joint applications must submit for approval by the department multicounty plans for efficient program delivery.
RCW 13.50.270 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 50 / Section 270
RCW 13.50.270: Destruction of records.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Subject to RCW 13.50.050 (13), all records maintained by any court or law enforcement agency, including the juvenile court, local law enforcement, the Washington state patrol, and the prosecutor's office, shall be automatically destroyed within ninety days of becoming eligible for destruction. Juvenile records are eligible for destruction when: (i) The person who is the subject of the information or complaint is at least eighteen years of age; (ii) The records in question consist of successfully completed diversion agreements and counsel and release agreements, or both, which were completed on or after June 7, 2018; and (iii) There is no restitution owing in the case. (b) Notwithstanding this subsection (1), records of successfully completed diversion agreements and counsel and release agreements remain subject to destruction under the terms set forth in subsections (2) through (4) of this section, as well as sealing under RCW 13.50.260 . (c) No less than quarterly, the administrative office of the courts shall provide a report to the juvenile courts of those individuals whose records may be eligible for destruction. The juvenile court shall verify eligibility and notify the Washington state patrol and the appropriate local law enforcement agency and prosecutor's office of the records to be destroyed. The requirement to destroy records under this subsection is not dependent on a court hearing or the issuance of a court order to destroy records. (d) The state and local governments and their officers and employees are not liable for civil damages for the failure to destroy records pursuant to this section. (2) All records maintained by any court or law enforcement agency, including the juvenile court, local law enforcement, the Washington state patrol, and the prosecutor's office, shall be automatically destroyed within thirty days of being notified by the governor's office that the subject of those records received a full and unconditional pardon by the governor. (3)(a) A person may request that the court order the records in his or her case destroyed as follows: (i) A person eighteen years of age or older whose criminal history consists entirely of one diversion agreement or counsel and release entered prior to June 12, 2008. The request shall be granted if the court finds that two years have elapsed since completion of the agreement or counsel and release. (ii) A person twenty-three years of age or older whose criminal history consists of only referrals for diversion. The request shall be granted if the court finds that all diversion agreements have been successfully completed and no proceeding is pending against the person seeking the conviction of a criminal offense. (b) If the court grants the motion to destroy records made pursuant to this subsection, it shall, subject to RCW 13.50.050 (13), order the official juvenile court record, the social file, and any other records named in the order to be destroyed. (c) The person making the motion pursuant to this subsection must give reasonable notice of the motion to the prosecuting attorney and to any agency whose records are sought to be destroyed. (4) Any juvenile justice or care agency may, subject to the limitations in RCW 13.50.050 (13) and this section, develop procedures for the routine destruction of records relating to juvenile offenses and diversions. (a) Records may be routinely destroyed only when the person the subject of the information or complaint has attained twenty-three years of age or older or pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. (b) The court may not routinely destroy the official juvenile court record or recordings or transcripts of any proceedings.
RCW 13.34.094 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 094
RCW 13.34.094: Description of services provided to parents.
Status: in_force

The department shall, within existing resources, provide to parents requesting or participating in a multidisciplinary team, family group conference, case conference, or prognostic staffing information that describes these processes prior to the processes being undertaken.
RCW 13.64.901 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 64 / Section 901
RCW 13.64.901: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
RCW 13.22.040 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 22 / Section 040
RCW 13.22.040: Reporting requirements for the department.
Status: in_force

(1) The department must compile, on a monthly basis until November 1, 2022, the following information with respect to juveniles confined in all state institutions and facilities used for juvenile rehabilitation for whom isolation or room confinement was used in excess of one hour: (a) The number of times isolation and room confinement were used; (b) The circumstances leading to the use of isolation and room confinement; (c) The duration of each use of isolation and whether, for each instance of isolation, the use of isolation lasted more than four hours within a twenty-four hour period; (d) Whether or not supervisory review occurred and was documented for each instance of isolation and room confinement; (e) The race and age of the juvenile for each instance of isolation and room confinement; (f) Whether or not a medical assessment or review and a mental health assessment or review were conducted and documented for each instance of isolation; and (g) If the affected juvenile was not afforded access to medication, meals, and reading material during the term of confinement for each instance of isolation and room confinement. (2) Until November 1, 2022, information collected under subsection (1) of this section must be compiled into a report and submitted in compliance with RCW 13.22.060 (1). (3) After November 1, 2022, the department must annually compile the information collected under subsection (1) of this section. The information collected must be posted on the department's website.
RCW 13.40.745 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 745
RCW 13.40.745: Program grants—Sex offender evaluation and treatment programs.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall develop and implement a grant program that allows defense attorneys and counties to apply for funding for sex offender evaluation and treatment programs. (2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall provide funding to counties for process mapping, site assessment, and training for additional sex offender treatment modalities such as multisystemic therapy-problem sexual behavior or problematic sexual behavior-cognitive behavioral therapy.
RCW 13.40.590 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 590
RCW 13.40.590: Youth court programs.
Status: in_force

(1) The administrative office of the courts shall encourage the juvenile courts to work with cities and counties to implement, expand, or use youth court programs for juveniles who commit diversion-eligible offenses, civil, or traffic infractions. Program operations of youth court programs may be funded by government and private grants. Youth court programs are limited to those that: (a) Are developed using the guidelines for creating and operating youth court programs developed by nationally recognized experts in youth court projects; (b) Target offenders age eight through seventeen; and (c) Emphasize the following principles: (i) Youth must be held accountable for their problem behavior; (ii) Youth must be educated about the impact their actions have on themselves and others including their victims, their families, and their community; (iii) Youth must develop skills to resolve problems with their peers more effectively; and (iv) Youth should be provided a meaningful forum to practice and enhance newly developed skills. (2) Youth court programs under this section may be established by private nonprofit organizations and schools, upon prior approval and under the supervision of juvenile court.
RCW 13.24.035 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 24 / Section 035
RCW 13.24.035: Governor authorized and directed to execute supplementary compact—Contents.
Status: in_force

(1) The governor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a compact amending and supplementing the interstate compact on juveniles on behalf of this state with any other state or states legally joining therein in the form substantially as set forth in subsection (2) of this section. (2)(a) All provisions and procedures of Articles V and VI of the interstate compact on juveniles shall be construed to apply to any juvenile charged with being a delinquent by reason of a violation of any criminal law. Any juvenile charged with being a delinquent by reason of violating any criminal law, shall be returned to the requesting state upon a requisition to the state where the juvenile may be found. A petition in such case shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction in the requesting state where the violation of criminal law is alleged to have been committed. The petition may be filed regardless of whether the juvenile has left the state before or after the filing of the petition. The requisition described in Article V of the compact shall be forwarded by the judge of the court in which the petition has been filed. (b) This amendment provides additional remedies and shall be binding only as among and between those party states which substantially execute the same.
RCW 13.20.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 20 / Section 020
RCW 13.20.020: Terms of office—Removal—Vacancies.
Status: in_force

The nonjudicial members of the board first appointed shall be appointed for the respective terms of one, two, three, and four years and until their successors are appointed and qualified; and thereafter their successors shall be appointed for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any such member of the board may be removed at any time by majority vote of the judges of the superior court. Vacancies on the board may be filled at any time by majority vote of said judges, and such appointee shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the member in whose stead he or she was appointed.
RCW 13.40.010 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 010
RCW 13.40.010: Short title—Intent—Purpose.
Status: in_force

(1) This chapter shall be known and cited as the Juvenile Justice Act of 1977. (2) It is the intent of the legislature that a system capable of having primary responsibility for, being accountable for, and responding to the needs of youthful offenders and their victims, as defined by this chapter, be established. It is the further intent of the legislature that youth, in turn, be held accountable for their offenses and that communities, families, and the juvenile courts carry out their functions consistent with this intent. To effectuate these policies, the legislature declares the following to be equally important purposes of this chapter: (a) Protect the citizenry from criminal behavior; (b) Provide for determining whether accused juveniles have committed offenses as defined by this chapter; (c) Make the juvenile offender accountable for his or her criminal behavior; (d) Provide for punishment commensurate with the age, crime, and criminal history of the juvenile offender; (e) Provide due process for juveniles alleged to have committed an offense; (f) Provide for the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders; (g) Provide necessary treatment, supervision, and custody for juvenile offenders; (h) Provide for the handling of juvenile offenders by communities whenever consistent with public safety; (i) Provide for restitution to victims of crime; (j) Develop effective standards and goals for the operation, funding, and evaluation of all components of the juvenile justice system and related services at the state and local levels; (k) Provide for a clear policy to determine what types of offenders shall receive punishment, treatment, or both, and to determine the jurisdictional limitations of the courts, institutions, and community services; (l) Provide opportunities for victim participation in juvenile justice process, including court hearings on juvenile offender matters, and ensure that Article I, section 35 of the Washington state Constitution, the victim bill of rights, is fully observed; and (m) Encourage the parents, guardian, or custodian of the juvenile to actively participate in the juvenile justice process.
RCW 13.32A.100 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 100
RCW 13.32A.100: Family reconciliation services for child in out-of-home placement.
Status: in_force

Where a child is placed in an out-of-home placement pursuant to *RCW 13.32A.090 (3)(d)(ii), the department shall make available family reconciliation services in order to facilitate the reunification of the family. Any such placement may continue as long as there is agreement by the child and parent.
RCW 13.34.315 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 315
RCW 13.34.315: Health care—Evaluation and treatment.
Status: in_force

Whenever a child is ordered removed from his or her home pursuant to this chapter, the agency charged with his or her care may authorize an evaluation and treatment for the child's routine and necessary medical, dental, or mental health care, and all necessary emergency care.
RCW 13.34.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 020
RCW 13.34.020: Legislative declaration of family unit as resource to be nurtured—Rights of child.
Status: in_force

The legislature declares that the family unit is a fundamental resource of American life which should be nurtured. Toward the continuance of this principle, the legislature declares that the family unit should remain intact unless a child's right to conditions of basic nurture, health, or safety is jeopardized. When the rights of basic nurture, physical and mental health, and safety of the child and the legal rights of the parents are in conflict, the rights and safety of the child should prevail. In making reasonable efforts under this chapter, the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern. The right of a child to basic nurturing includes the right to a safe, stable, and permanent home and a speedy resolution of any proceeding under this chapter.
RCW 13.40.180 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 180
RCW 13.40.180: Single disposition order—Consecutive terms when two or more offenses—Limitations—Separate disposition order—Concurrent period of community supervision.
Status: in_force

(1) Where a disposition in a single disposition order is imposed on a youth for two or more offenses, the terms shall run consecutively, subject to the following limitations: (a) Where the offenses were committed through a single act or omission, omission, or through an act or omission which in itself constituted one of the offenses and also was an element of the other, the aggregate of all the terms shall not exceed 150 percent of the term imposed for the most serious offense; (b) The aggregate of all consecutive terms shall not exceed three hundred percent of the term imposed for the most serious offense; and (c) The aggregate of all consecutive terms of community supervision shall not exceed two years in length, or require any payment of fines or the performance of more than 200 hours of community restitution. (2) Where disposition in separate disposition orders is imposed on a youth, the periods of community supervision contained in separate orders, if any, shall run concurrently. All other terms contained in separate disposition orders shall run consecutively.
RCW 13.04.145 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 04 / Section 145
RCW 13.04.145: Educational program for juveniles in detention facilities—Application of chapter 28A.190 RCW.
Status: in_force

A program of education shall be provided for by the several counties and school districts of the state for common school-age persons confined in each of the detention facilities staffed and maintained by the several counties of the state under this chapter and chapters 13.16 and 13.20 RCW. The division of duties, authority, and liabilities of the several counties and school districts of the state respecting the educational programs is the same in all respects as set forth in chapter 28A.190 RCW respecting programs of education for state residential school residents. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from utilizing the services of an educational service district subject to RCW 28A.310.180 .
RCW 13.32A.110 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 110
RCW 13.32A.110: Interstate compact to apply, when.
Status: in_force

If a child who has a legal residence outside the state of Washington is admitted to a crisis residential center or is released by a law enforcement officer to the department, and the child refuses to return home, the provisions of *RCW 13.24.010 shall apply.
RCW 13.20.060 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 20 / Section 060
RCW 13.20.060: Transfer of administration of juvenile court services to county executive—Authorized—Advisory board—Procedure.
Status: in_force

In addition, and alternatively, to the authority granted by RCW 13.20.010 , the judges of the superior court of any county with a population of one million or more operating under a county charter providing for an elected county executive are hereby authorized, by a majority vote, subject to approval by ordinance of the legislative authority of the county to transfer to the county executive the responsibility for, and administration of all or part of juvenile court services, including detention, intake and probation. The superior court and county executive of such county are further authorized to establish a five-member juvenile court advisory board to advise the county in its administration of such services, facilities and programs. If the advisory board is established, two members of the advisory board shall be appointed by the superior court, two members shall be appointed by the county executive, and one member shall be selected by the vote of the other four members. The county is authorized to contract or otherwise make arrangements with other public or private agencies to provide all or a part of such services, facilities and programs. Subsequent to any transfer to the county of responsibility and administration of such services, facilities and programs pursuant to the foregoing authority, the judges of such superior court, by majority vote subject to the approval by ordinance of the legislative authority of the county, may retransfer the same to the superior court.
RCW 13.60.030 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 60 / Section 030
RCW 13.60.030: Information and education regarding missing children—Plan.
Status: in_force

The superintendent of public instruction shall meet semiannually with the Washington state patrol to develop a coordinated plan for the distribution of information and education of teachers and students in the school districts of the state regarding the missing children problem in the state. The superintendent of public instruction shall encourage local school districts to cooperate by providing the state patrol information on any missing children that may be identified within the district.
RCW 13.34.233 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 233
RCW 13.34.233: Guardianship for dependent child—Modification or termination of order—Hearing—Termination of guardianship.
Status: in_force

(1) Any party may request the court under RCW 13.34.150 to modify or terminate a dependency guardianship order. Notice of any motion to modify or terminate the guardianship shall be served on all other parties, including any agency that was responsible for supervising the child's placement at the time the guardianship petition was filed. Notice in all cases shall be served upon the department. If the department was not previously a party to the guardianship proceeding, the department shall nevertheless have the right to: (a) Initiate a proceeding to modify or terminate a guardianship; and (b) intervene at any stage of such a proceeding. (2) The guardianship may be modified or terminated upon the motion of any party, or the department if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there has been a substantial change of circumstances subsequent to the establishment of the guardianship and that it is in the child's best interest to modify or terminate the guardianship. The court shall hold a hearing on the motion before modifying or terminating a guardianship. (3) Upon entry of an order terminating the guardianship, the dependency guardian shall not have any rights or responsibilities with respect to the child and shall not have legal standing to participate as a party in further dependency proceedings pertaining to the child. The court may allow the child's dependency guardian to attend dependency review proceedings pertaining to the child for the sole purpose of providing information about the child to the court. (4) Upon entry of an order terminating the guardianship, the child shall remain dependent and the court shall either return the child to the child's parent or order the child into the custody, control, and care of the department for placement in a foster home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to such chapter. The court shall not place a child in the custody of the child's parent unless the court finds that reasons for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exist and that such placement is in the child's best interest. The court shall thereafter conduct reviews as provided in RCW 13.34.138 and, where applicable, shall hold a permanency planning hearing in accordance with RCW 13.34.145 .
RCW 13.64.080 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 64 / Section 080
RCW 13.64.080: Forms to initiate petition of emancipation.
Status: in_force

The administrative office of the courts shall prepare and distribute to the county court clerks appropriate forms for minors seeking to initiate a petition of emancipation.
RCW 13.32A.192 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 192
RCW 13.32A.192: At-risk youth petition—Prehearing procedures.
Status: in_force

(1) When a proper at-risk youth petition is filed by a child's parent under this chapter, the juvenile court shall: (a)(i) Schedule a fact-finding hearing to be held: (A) For a child who resides in a place other than his or her parent's home and other than an out-of-home placement, within five calendar days unless the last calendar day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, in which case the hearing shall be held on the preceding judicial day; or (B) for a child living at home or in an out-of-home placement, within ten days; and (ii) notify the parent and the child of such date; (b) Notify the parent of the right to be represented by counsel at the parent's own expense; (c) Appoint legal counsel for the child; (d) Inform the child and his or her parent of the legal consequences of the court finding the child to be an at-risk youth; and (e) Notify the parent and the child of their rights to present evidence at the fact-finding hearing. (2) Unless out-of-home placement of the child is otherwise authorized or required by law, the child shall reside in the home of his or her parent or in an out-of-home placement requested by the parent or child and approved by the parent. (3) If upon sworn written or oral declaration of the petitioning parent, the court has reason to believe that a child has willfully and knowingly violated a court order issued pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the court may issue an order directing law enforcement to take the child into custody and place the child in a juvenile detention facility or in a secure facility within a crisis residential center. If the child is placed in detention, a review shall be held as provided in *RCW 13.32A.065 . (4) If both a child in need of services petition and an at-risk youth petition have been filed with regard to the same child, the petitions and proceedings shall be consolidated as an at-risk youth petition. Pending a fact-finding hearing regarding the petition, the child may be placed in the parent's home or in an out-of-home placement if not already placed in a temporary out-of-home placement pursuant to a child in need of services petition. The child or the parent may request a review of the child's placement including a review of any court order requiring the child to reside in the parent's home.
RCW 13.38.190 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 38 / Section 190
RCW 13.38.190: Review of cases—Standards and procedures—Compliance.
Status: in_force

(1) The department, in consultation with Indian tribes, shall establish standards and procedures for the department's review of cases subject to this chapter and methods for monitoring the department's compliance with provisions of the federal Indian child welfare act and this chapter. These standards and procedures and the monitoring methods shall also be integrated into the department's child welfare contracting and contract monitoring process. (2) Nothing in this chapter shall affect, impair, or limit rights or remedies provided to any party under the federal Indian child welfare act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1914.
RCW 13.34.050 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 050
RCW 13.34.050: Court order to take child into custody, when—Hearing.
Status: in_force

(1) The court may enter an order directing a law enforcement officer, probation counselor, or child protective services official to take a child into custody if: (a) A petition is filed with the juvenile court with sufficient corroborating evidence to establish that the child is dependent; (b) an affidavit or declaration is filed by the department in support of the petition setting forth specific factual information evidencing insufficient time to serve a parent with a dependency petition and hold a hearing prior to removal; and (c) the allegations contained in the petition, if true, establish that there are reasonable grounds to believe that removal is necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect, including that which results from sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, a pattern of severe neglect, or a high-potency synthetic opioid. The court shall give great weight to the lethality of high-potency synthetic opioids and public health guidance from the department of health related to high-potency synthetic opioids in determining whether removal is necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect. (2) Any petition that does not have the necessary affidavit or declaration demonstrating a risk of imminent harm requires that the parents are provided notice and an opportunity to be heard before the order may be entered. (3) The petition and supporting documentation must be served on the parent, and if the child is in custody at the time the child is removed, on the entity with custody other than the parent. If the court orders that a child be taken into custody under subsection (1) of this section, the petition and supporting documentation must be served on the parent at the time of the child's removal unless, after diligent efforts, the parents cannot be located at the time of removal. If the parent is not served at the time of removal, the department shall make diligent efforts to personally serve the parent. Failure to effect service does not invalidate the petition if service was attempted and the parent could not be found.
RCW 13.90.040 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 90 / Section 040
RCW 13.90.040: Order establishing guardianship.
Status: in_force

(1) If the court has made the findings required under RCW 13.90.030 , the court shall issue an order establishing a vulnerable youth guardianship for the vulnerable youth. The order shall: (a) Appoint a person to be the guardian for the vulnerable youth; (b) Provide that the guardian shall ensure that the legal rights of the vulnerable youth are not violated, and may specify the guardian's other rights and responsibilities concerning the care, custody, and nurturing of the vulnerable youth; (c) Specify that the guardian shall not have possession of any identity documents belonging to the vulnerable youth; and (d) Specify the need for and scope of continued oversight by the court, if any. (2) Unless specifically ordered by the court, the standards and requirements for relocation in chapter 26.09 RCW do not apply to vulnerable youth guardianships established under this chapter. (3) The court shall provide a certified copy of the vulnerable youth guardianship order to the vulnerable youth and the guardian. (4) For an unrepresented vulnerable youth whose vulnerable youth guardian is a suitable person, as defined in RCW 13.90.010 , the court shall provide a list of service providers and available resources for survivors of human trafficking, such as any relevant lists or materials created by the Washington state task force against the trafficking of persons under RCW 7.68.350 .
RCW 13.40.651 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 651
RCW 13.40.651: Use of restraints on pregnant youth in custody—Provision of information to staff and pregnant youth in custody.
Status: in_force

(1) The director of the juvenile detention facility shall provide an informational packet about the requirements of chapter 181, Laws of 2010 to all medical staff and nonmedical staff who are involved in the transportation of youth who are pregnant, as well as such other staff as appropriate. The informational packet provided to staff under this section shall be developed as provided in RCW 70.48.800 . (2) The director shall cause the requirements of chapter 181, Laws of 2010 to be provided to all youth who are pregnant, at the time the facility assumes custody of the person. In addition, the facility shall cause a notice containing the requirements of chapter 181, Laws of 2010 to be posted in conspicuous locations in the detention facilities, including but not limited to the locations in which medical care is provided within the facilities.
RCW 13.40.060 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 060
RCW 13.40.060: Jurisdiction of actions—Transfer of case and records, when—Change in venue, grounds.
Status: in_force

(1) All actions under this chapter shall be commenced and tried in the county where any element of the offense was committed except as otherwise specially provided by statute. In cases in which diversion is provided by statute, venue is in the county in which the juvenile resides or in the county in which any element of the offense was committed. (2)(a) The court upon motion of any party or upon its own motion may, at any time, transfer a proceeding to another juvenile court when there is reason to believe that an impartial proceeding cannot be held in the county in which the proceeding was begun; and (b) A court may transfer a proceeding to another juvenile court following disposition for the purposes of supervision and enforcement of the disposition order. (3) If the court orders a transfer of the proceeding pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section: (a) The case and copies of only those legal and social documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to the county in which the juvenile resides, without regard to whether or not his or her custodial parent resides there, for supervision and enforcement of the disposition order. (b) If any restitution is yet to be determined, the originating court shall transfer the case to the new county with the exception of the restitution. Venue over restitution shall be retained by the originating court for purposes of establishing a restitution order. Once restitution is determined, the originating county shall then transfer venue over modification and enforcement of the restitution to the new county. (c) The court of the receiving county may modify and enforce the disposition order, including restitution. (d) The clerk of the originating county shall maintain the account receivable in the judicial information system and all payments shall be made to the clerk of the originating county. (e) Any collection of the offender legal financial obligation shall be managed by the juvenile probation department of the new county while the offender is under juvenile probation supervision, or by the clerk of the original county at the conclusion of supervision by juvenile probation. The probation department of the new county shall notify the clerk of the originating county when they end supervision of the offender. (f) In cases where a civil judgment has already been established, venue may not be transferred to another county.
RCW 13.34.830 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 830
RCW 13.34.830: Child protection and child welfare—Racial disproportionality—Evaluation—Report.
Status: in_force

(1) Within amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, or within funding made available by private grant or contribution, the Washington state institute for public policy shall evaluate the department of social and health services' use of structured decision-making practices and implementation of the family team decision-making model to determine whether and how those child protection and child welfare efforts result in reducing disproportionate representation of African American, Native American, and Latino children in the state's child welfare system. The institute shall analyze the points in the system at which current data reflect the greatest levels of disproportionality. The institute shall report its findings to the legislature and the department of social and health services by September 1, 2010. (2) If adequate funding is not made available through state appropriation or through private grant or contribution to simultaneously study the impact on racial disproportionality of both the structured decision-making process and family team decision-making model, the institute shall first study and report on the family team decision-making model. The department of social and health services and the Washington state institute for public policy jointly, shall: (a) Promptly complete and execute a data-sharing agreement to comply with the department's confidential or records requirements and to provide the institute with data and other information necessary to conduct its evaluation; and (b) Identify potential sources of private funding to supplement any state-appropriated amounts.
RCW 13.40.650 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 650
RCW 13.40.650: Use of restraints on pregnant youth in custody—Allowed in extraordinary circumstances.
Status: in_force

(1) Except in extraordinary circumstances, no restraints of any kind may be used on any pregnant youth in an institution or detention facility covered by this chapter during transportation to and from visits to medical providers and court proceedings during the third trimester of her pregnancy, or during postpartum recovery. For purposes of this section, "extraordinary circumstances" exist where an employee at an institution or detention facility makes an individualized determination that restraints are necessary to prevent an incarcerated pregnant youth from escaping, or from injuring herself, medical or correctional personnel, or others. In the event the employee of the institution or detention facility determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and restraints are used, the employee of the institution or detention facility must fully document in writing the reasons that he or she determined such extraordinary circumstances existed such that restraints were used. As part of this documentation, the employee of the institution or detention facility must also include the kind of restraints used and the reasons those restraints were considered the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances. (2) While the pregnant youth is in labor or in childbirth no restraints of any kind may be used. Nothing in this section affects the use of hospital restraints requested for the medical safety of a patient by treating physicians licensed under Title 18 RCW. (3) Anytime restraints are permitted to be used on a pregnant youth, the restraints must be the least restrictive available and the most reasonable under the circumstances, but in no case shall leg irons or waist chains be used on any youth known to be pregnant. (4) No employee of the institution or detention facility shall be present in the room during the pregnant youth's labor or childbirth, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If the employee's presence is requested by medical personnel, the employee should be female, if practicable. (5) If the doctor, nurse, or other health professional treating the pregnant youth requests that restraints not be used, the employee of the institution or detention facility accompanying the pregnant youth shall immediately remove all restraints.
RCW 13.22.005 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 22 / Section 005
RCW 13.22.005: Finding—Intent—2020 c 333.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature finds that prolonged isolation for juveniles may cause harm. Prolonged solitary confinement has also been shown as ineffective at reducing behavioral incidents and may increase anxiety and anger in youth. (2) Creating alternative solutions to solitary confinement for juveniles will further protect the well-being of juveniles in all detention facilities and institutions and enhance the rehabilitative goals of Washington's juvenile justice system. Chapter 333, Laws of 2020 seeks to end the use of solitary confinement in juvenile facilities when used as a form of punishment or retaliation. Chapter 333, Laws of 2020 also seeks to limit placement in isolation, except in the circumstances outlined in RCW 13.22.020 . Juvenile institutions and detention facilities must implement a system of graduated interventions to avoid the use of solitary confinement. Less restrictive forms of confinement should be used to regulate the behavior of juveniles in institutions and detention facilities. (3) The legislature intends to prevent the use of solitary confinement and, in the limited instances of isolation, ensure that the use advances the rehabilitative goals of Washington's juvenile justice system, and that it is not used as a punitive measure.
RCW 13.40.530 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 530
RCW 13.40.530: Community juvenile accountability programs—Effectiveness standards.
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes the importance of evaluation and outcome measurements of programs serving juvenile offenders in order to ensure cost-effective use of public funds. The Washington state institute for public policy shall develop standards for measuring the effectiveness of juvenile accountability programs established and approved under RCW 13.40.510 . The standards must be developed and presented to the governor and legislature not later than January 1, 1998. The standards must include methods for measuring success factors following intervention. Success factors include, but are not limited to, continued use of alcohol or controlled substances, arrests, violations of terms of community supervision, convictions for subsequent offenses, and restitution to victims.
RCW 13.34.120 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 120
RCW 13.34.120: Social study and reports made available at disposition hearing—Contents—Notice to parents.
Status: in_force

(1) To aid the court in its decision on disposition, a social study shall be made by the person or agency filing the petition. A parent may submit a counselor's or health care provider's evaluation of the parent, which shall either be included in the social study or considered in conjunction with the social study. The study shall include all social files and may also include facts relating to the child's cultural heritage, and shall be made available to the court. The court shall consider the social file, social study, guardian ad litem report, the court-appointed special advocate's report, if any, and any reports filed by a party at the disposition hearing in addition to evidence produced at the fact-finding hearing. At least ten working days before the disposition hearing, the department shall mail to the parent and his or her attorney a copy of the agency's social study and proposed service plan, which shall be in writing or in a form understandable to the parents or custodians. In addition, the department shall provide an opportunity for parents to review and comment on the plan at the local office closest to the parents' residence. If the parents disagree with the agency's plan or any part thereof, the parents shall submit to the court at least twenty-four hours before the hearing, in writing, or signed oral statement, an alternative plan to correct the problems which led to the finding of dependency. This section shall not interfere with the right of the parents or custodians to submit oral arguments regarding the disposition plan at the hearing. (2)(a) The guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate shall file his or her report with the court and with the parties pursuant to court rule prior to a hearing for which a report is required. The report shall include a written list of persons interviewed and reports or documentation considered. If the report makes particular recommendations, the report shall include specific information on which the guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate relied in making each particular recommendation. (b) The parties to the proceeding may file written responses to the guardian ad litem's or court-appointed special advocate's report with the court and deliver such responses to the other parties at a reasonable time or pursuant to court rule before the hearing. The court shall consider any written responses to the guardian ad litem's or court-appointed special advocate's report, including any factual information or recommendations provided in the report.
RCW 13.40.240 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 240
RCW 13.40.240: Construction of RCW references to juvenile delinquents or juvenile delinquency.
Status: in_force

All references to juvenile delinquents or juvenile delinquency in other chapters of the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed as meaning juvenile offenders or the commitment of an offense by juveniles as defined by this chapter.
RCW 13.20.040 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 20 / Section 040
RCW 13.20.040: Powers and duties of board.
Status: in_force

The juvenile court board of managers shall: (1) Have general supervision and care of all physical structures and grounds connected with the rendition of probation and detention services and power to do everything necessary to the proper maintenance thereof within the limits of the appropriations authorized. (2) Subject to the approval and authority of said superior court, the board of managers shall have authority and power to determine the type and extent of probation and detention services to be conducted in connection with the juvenile court, and authority over all matters concerning employment, job classifications, salary scales, qualifications, and number of personnel necessarily involved in the rendition of probation and detention services. (3) Prepare, in accordance with the provisions of the county budget law, and file with the county auditor a detailed and itemized estimate, both of probable revenues from sources other than taxation and of all expenditures required for the rendition of the services under the jurisdiction of said board. (4) Prepare and file with the superior court on July 1st of each year, and at such other times and in such form as the court shall require, a report of its operations.
RCW 13.32A.140 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 140
RCW 13.32A.140: Out-of-home placement—Child in need of services petition by department—Procedure.
Status: in_force

Unless the department files a dependency petition, the department shall file a child in need of services petition to approve an out-of-home placement on behalf of a child under any of the following sets of circumstances: (1) The child has been admitted to a crisis residential center or has been placed by the department in an out-of-home placement, and: (a) The parent has been notified that the child was so admitted or placed; (b) The child cannot return home, and legal authorization is needed for out-of-home placement beyond seventy-two hours; (c) No agreement between the parent and the child as to where the child shall live has been reached; (d) No child in need of services petition has been filed by either the child or parent; (e) The parent has not filed an at-risk youth petition; and (f) The child has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent. (2) The child has been admitted to a crisis residential center and: (a) Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, have passed since such placement; (b) The staff, after searching with due diligence, have been unable to contact the parent of such child; and (c) The child has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent. (3) An agreement between parent and child made pursuant to *RCW 13.32A.090 (3)(d)(ii) or pursuant to RCW 13.32A.120 (1) is no longer acceptable to parent or child, and: (a) The party to whom the arrangement is no longer acceptable has so notified the department; (b) Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, have passed since such notification; (c) No new agreement between parent and child as to where the child shall live has been reached; (d) No child in need of services petition has been filed by either the child or the parent; (e) The parent has not filed an at-risk youth petition; and (f) The child has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent. Under the circumstances of subsections (1), (2), or (3) of this section, the child shall remain in an out-of-home placement until a child in need of services petition filed by the department on behalf of the child is reviewed and resolved by the juvenile court. The department may authorize emergency medical or dental care for a child admitted to a crisis residential center or placed in an out-of-home placement by the department. The state, when the department files a child in need of services petition under this section, shall be represented as provided for in RCW 13.04.093 .
RCW 13.40.285 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 285
RCW 13.40.285: Juvenile offender sentenced to terms in juvenile and adult facilities—Transfer to department of corrections—Term of confinement.
Status: in_force

A juvenile offender ordered to serve a term of confinement with the department of children, youth, and families who is subsequently sentenced to the department of corrections may, with the consent of the department of corrections, be transferred by the secretary of children, youth, and families to the department of corrections to serve the balance of the term of confinement ordered by the juvenile court. The juvenile and adult sentences shall be served consecutively. In no case shall the secretary credit time served as a result of an adult conviction against the term of confinement ordered by the juvenile court.
RCW 13.16.030 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 16 / Section 030
RCW 13.16.030: Mandatory function of counties.
Status: in_force

The construction, acquisition and maintenance of juvenile detention facilities for dependent, wayward and delinquent children, separate and apart from the detention facilities for adults, is hereby declared to be a mandatory function of the several counties of the state.
RCW 13.34.200 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 200
RCW 13.34.200: Order terminating parent and child relationship—Rights of parties when granted.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the termination of parental rights pursuant to RCW 13.34.180 , all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations, including any rights to custody, control, visitation, or support existing between the child and parent shall be severed and terminated and the parent shall have no standing to appear at any further legal proceedings concerning the child, except as provided in RCW 13.34.215 : PROVIDED, That any support obligation existing prior to the effective date of the order terminating parental rights shall not be severed or terminated. The rights of one parent may be terminated without affecting the rights of the other parent and the order shall so state. (2) An order terminating the parent and child relationship shall not disentitle a child to any benefit due the child from any third person, agency, state, or the United States, nor shall any action under this chapter be deemed to affect any rights and benefits that an Indian child derives from the child's descent from a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. (3) An order terminating the parent-child relationship shall include a statement addressing the status of the child's sibling relationships and the nature and extent of sibling placement, contact, or visits.
RCW 13.34.067 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 34 / Section 067
RCW 13.34.067: Shelter care—Case conference—Service agreement.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Following shelter care and no later than thirty days prior to fact-finding, the department shall convene a case conference as required in the shelter care order to develop and specify in a written service agreement the expectations of both the department and the parent regarding voluntary services for the parent. (b) The case conference shall include the parent, counsel for the parent, caseworker, counsel for the state, guardian ad litem, counsel for the child, and any other person agreed upon by the parties. Once the shelter care order is entered, the department is not required to provide additional notice of the case conference to any participants in the case conference. (c) The written service agreement expectations must correlate with the court's findings at the shelter care hearing. The written service agreement must set forth specific services to be provided to the parent. (d) The case conference agreement must be agreed to and signed by the parties. The court shall not consider the content of the discussions at the case conference at the time of the fact-finding hearing for the purposes of establishing that the child is a dependent child, and the court shall not consider any documents or written materials presented at the case conference but not incorporated into the case conference agreement, unless the documents or written materials were prepared for purposes other than or as a result of the case conference and are otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence. (2) At any other stage in a dependency proceeding, the department, upon the parent's request, shall convene a case conference. (3) If a case conference is convened pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section and the parent is unable to participate in person due to incarceration, the parent must have the option to participate through the use of a teleconference or videoconference.
RCW 13.40.301 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 301
RCW 13.40.301: Department to protect younger children in confinement from older youth confined pursuant to 2018 c 162.
Status: in_force

The department must take appropriate actions to protect younger children in confinement from older youth who may be confined pursuant to chapter 162, Laws of 2018, recognizing both the potential for positive mentorship and the potential risks relating to victimization and the exercise of negative influence. The court may exercise oversight if needed to accomplish the goals of this section.
RCW 13.40.580 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 40 / Section 580
RCW 13.40.580: Youth courts—Diversion.
Status: in_force

Youth courts provide a diversion for cases involving juvenile offenders, in which participants, under the supervision of an adult coordinator, may serve in various capacities within the program, acting in the role of jurors, lawyers, bailiffs, clerks, and judges. Youths who appear before youth courts are youths eligible for diversion pursuant to *RCW 13.40.070 (6) and (7). Youth courts have no jurisdiction except as provided for in chapter 237, Laws of 2002. Youth courts are diversion units and not courts established under Article IV of the state Constitution.
RCW 13.64.020 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 64 / Section 020
RCW 13.64.020: Petition for emancipation—Filing fees.
Status: in_force

(1) A petition for emancipation shall be signed and verified by the petitioner, and shall include the following information: (a) The full name of the petitioner, the petitioner's birthdate, and the state and county of birth; (b) a certified copy of the petitioner's birth certificate; (c) the name and last known address of the petitioner's parent or parents, guardian, or custodian; (d) the petitioner's present address, and length of residence at that address; (e) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs, including any supporting information; and (f) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs, including any supporting information. (2) Fees for this section are set under RCW 36.18.014 .
RCW 13.16.060 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 16 / Section 060
RCW 13.16.060: Statutory debt limits may be exceeded.
Status: in_force

Appropriations made under authority and by virtue of RCW 13.16.020 through 13.16.080 and debts incurred by any county in carrying out the provisions of RCW 13.16.020 through 13.16.080 may exceed all statutory limitations otherwise applicable and limiting the debt any county may incur.
RCW 13.24.900 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 24 / Section 900
RCW 13.24.900: Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the "uniform interstate compact on juveniles."
RCW 13.32A.010 — Washington Code / Title 13 / Chapter 32A / Section 010
RCW 13.32A.010: Legislative findings and intent.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that within any group of people there exists a need for guidelines for acceptable behavior and that, presumptively, the experience and maturity of parents make them better qualified to establish guidelines beneficial to and protective of their children. The legislature further finds that it is the right and responsibility of adults to establish laws for the benefit and protection of the society; and that, in the same manner, the right and responsibility for establishing reasonable guidelines for the family unit belongs to the adults within that unit. Further, absent abuse or neglect, parents have the right to exercise control over their children. The legislature reaffirms its position stated in RCW 13.34.020 that the family unit is the fundamental resource of American life which should be nurtured and that it should remain intact in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary. The legislature recognizes there is a need for services and assistance for parents and children who are in conflict. These conflicts are manifested by children who exhibit various behaviors including: Running away, substance abuse, serious acting out problems, mental health needs, and other behaviors that endanger themselves or others. The legislature finds many parents do not know their rights regarding their adolescent children and law enforcement. Parents and courts feel they have insufficient legal recourse for the chronic runaway child who is endangering himself or herself through his or her behavior. The legislature further recognizes that for chronic runaways whose behavior puts them in serious danger of harming themselves or others, secure facilities must be provided to allow opportunities for assessment, treatment, and to assist parents and protect their children. The legislature intends to give tools to parents, courts, and law enforcement to keep families together and reunite them whenever possible. The legislature recognizes that some children run away to protect themselves from abuse or neglect in their homes. Abused and neglected children should be dealt with pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW and it is not the intent of the legislature to handle dependency matters under this chapter. The legislature intends services offered under this chapter be on a voluntary basis whenever possible to children and their families and that the courts be used as a last resort. The legislature intends to increase the safety of children through the preservation of families and the provision of assessment, treatment, and placement services for children in need of services and at-risk youth including services and assessments conducted under chapter 13.32A RCW and *RCW 74.13.033 . Within available funds, the legislature intends to provide these services through crisis residential centers in which children and youth may safely reside for a limited period of time. The time in residence shall be used to conduct an assessment of the needs of the children, youth, and their families. The assessments are necessary to identify appropriate services and placement options that will reduce the likelihood that children will place themselves in dangerous or life-threatening situations. The legislature recognizes that crisis residential centers provide an opportunity for children to receive short-term necessary support and nurturing in cases where there may be abuse or neglect. The legislature intends that center staff provide an atmosphere of concern, care, and respect for children in the center and their parents. The legislature intends to provide for the protection of children who, through their behavior, are endangering themselves. The legislature intends to provide appropriate residential services, including secure facilities, to protect, stabilize, and treat children with serious problems. The legislature further intends to empower parents by providing them with the assistance they require to raise their children.