HB 1121-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares that, for purposes related to permanency planning:  (1) "Guardianship" means a dependency guardianship pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW, a legal guardianship pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW, or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

     (2) "permanent legal custody" means legal custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or of a federally recognized Indian tribe.

     (3) "permanent custody order" means a custody order entered pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW.

     Provides that continued juvenile court jurisdiction under chapter 13.34 RCW shall not be a barrier to the entry of an order establishing a legal guardianship or permanent legal custody when: (1) The court has ordered implementation of a permanency plan that includes legal guardianship or permanent legal custody; and

     (2) the party pursuing the legal guardianship or permanent legal custody is the party identified in the permanency plan as the prospective legal guardian or custodian.

     Provides that, prior to awarding custody of a child to a non-parental individual, the court must determine if the child is the subject of a dependency proceeding in juvenile court.