H-0957.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2013

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representative Kagi

Read first time 02/12/2001.  Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

Indemnifying individuals for good faith child abuse or neglect investigations.

    AN ACT Relating to indemnifying individuals for good faith investigations of child abuse or neglect or fatality reviews; 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:

    In cases involving a child abuse, neglect, or fatality review team of volunteers, a team member acting in good faith and without gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties shall be indemnified by the state from claims arising out of the team's investigation.  If a claim is made against a team member, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the member acted in bad faith.

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