Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee | |
HB 1279
Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to public access to child in need of services and at-risk youth hearings.
Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Hinkle, Dickerson, McDonald, Clibborn, P. Sullivan, Pettigrew, Roach, Orcutt, Morrell, Kenney, Wallace and Chase.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/11/06
Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).
Background:
There are several different types of hearings that pertain to the welfare of children. Some of the
hearings that pertain to children include child in need of services (CHINS), at-risk youth (ARY),
dependency, and termination hearings.
CHINS proceedings may be initiated by a parent or child to request the court to approve or
continue an out-of-home placement. An ARY proceeding may be initiated by a parent who seeks
assistance from the court in maintaining parental control over his or her child. Dependency and
termination proceedings are generally initiated by the state in cases where the state is alleging the
parent is not providing sufficiently appropriate care for his or her child and the state is seeking to
intervene in the relationship.
CHINS, ARY, dependency and termination hearings have traditionally been closed to the public
largely due to the sensitive nature of matters that are often discussed about the children involved
in the cases. However, states have been increasingly moving towards opening these hearings to
the public. In 1993, the Washington legislature passed ESB 5379 which required that the public
not be excluded from any dependency or termination hearings unless the judge finds that
excluding the public is in the best interests of the child.
CHINS and ARY hearings remain closed to the public.
Summary of Bill:
CHINS and ARY hearings are required to be open to the public unless the judge finds that
excluding the public is in the best interests of the child.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.