FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5491

                          C 280 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for termination of parent and child relationship.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Stevens, Swecker, Strannigan, Schow and Hochstatter).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Background:  A "dependent child" means any child who has been abandoned, who is abused or neglected by a person legally responsible for the child's care, or who has a developmental disability and whose care cannot be provided in the home.  At a fact-finding hearing held 75 days after filing a dependency petition, the court may continue the removal of a child from the home.  This decision is made based upon a preponderance of the evidence.

Summary:  At the 75 day fact-finding hearing, the court is required to use the standard of clear and convincing evidence to continue the placement of a child out of his or her home on the basis that a manifest danger exists to the child.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     98 0 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

Conference Committee

House     97 0

Senate    41 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997