SB 6007 - DIGEST

Finds that all children, but particularly the youngest children, are harmed by multiple placements and the lack of a permanent home. Therefore, the legislature finds that when children are in out-of-home placement and subsequently returned to their parents more than three times, a petition for termination of parental rights must be filed, if in the best interests of the child.

Provides that, if the department fails to comply with the transition services requirements in chapter 13.34 RCW, any aggrieved person may institute proceedings for injunctive or other appropriate relief for enforcement of the requirement to provide evidence-based transition services. These proceedings may be instituted in the superior court for the county in which the person resides, or, if the person is not then a resident of this state, in the superior court for Thurston county.

Declares that in a proceeding under this act, the court shall enforce obedience to the requirement to provide evidence-based transition services by enjoining compliance upon the secretary. The court may issue such writs and processes as are necessary to carry out its orders and may award a penalty of up to one thousand dollars and reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs to the aggrieved person who instituted the proceedings.