H-1675.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1858

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State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Boldt, Cooke, Dickerson and Mulliken

Read first time 02/11/97.  Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

Requiring parents who are the subject of an abuse or neglect allegation to be notified of their rights.

    AN ACT Relating to information about parents' rights; amending RCW 26.44.120; and adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 26.44 RCW to read as follows:

    Whenever child protective services or law enforcement is investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect, the parents of the child who are the subject of the allegation shall be advised orally and in writing of their basic rights and other specific information as set forth in this chapter, in compliance with the legislative intent in RCW 26.44.100.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 26.44.120 and 1985 c 183 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    Whenever the child protective services worker is required to notify parents and children of their basic rights and other specific information as set forth in RCW 26.44.105 through 26.44.115 and section 1 of this act, the child protective services worker shall also make a reasonable effort to notify the noncustodial parent of the same information in a timely manner.

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