Opinion ID: 2453230
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Third Mathews Factor Government Interest

Text: ¶ 17 The State's interest in protecting children from the threat of physical and sexual abuse is paramount. The legislature expressly states that [t]o safeguard and promote the health, safety, and well-being of children receiving child care and early learning assistance ... is paramount over the right of any person to provide care. RCW 43.215.005(4)(c). Though our inquiry concerning the State's interests does not defer to legislative proclamations, statutory aims and objectives serve as strong independent evidence of a public good's value. The State holds the highest interest in the protection of children. In fulfilling its obligation to protect children, the State must be able to regulate the providers and facilities to which we entrust their care. A requirement that the Department perfect its case to a quasi-criminal standard of proof could endanger children and ignores the reality and the responsibility of the State to protect its most innocent and vulnerable residents.