SSB 5510 - H AMD898
By Representative Kagi
ADOPTED 04/25/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) After entry of a dispositional order pursuant to RCW 13.34.130
ordering placement of a child in out-of-home care, the department shall
continue to encourage the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child
to engage in services and maintain contact with the child, which shall
be accomplished by attaching a standard notice to the services and
safety plan to be provided in advance of hearings conducted pursuant to
RCW 13.34.138.
(2) The notice shall be photocopied on contrasting paper to
distinguish it from the services and safety plan to which it is
attached, and shall be in substantially the following form:
"NOTICE
If you have not been maintaining consistent contact with your child
in out-of-home care, your ability to reunify with your child may be
jeopardized. If this is your situation, you need to be aware that you
have important legal rights and must take steps to protect your
interests.
1. The department of social and health services (or other
supervising agency) and the court have created a permanency plan for
your child, including a primary placement plan and a secondary
placement plan, and recommending services needed before your child can
be placed in the primary or secondary placement. If you want the court
to order that your child be reunified with you, you should notify your
lawyer and the department, and you should carefully comply with court
orders for services and participate regularly in visitation with your
child. Failure to promptly engage in services or to maintain contact
with your child may lead to the filing of a petition to terminate your
rights as a parent.
2. Primary and secondary permanency plans are intended to run at
the same time so that your child will have a permanent home as quickly
as possible. Even if you want another parent or person to be the
primary placement choice for your child, you should tell your lawyer,
the department, and the court if you want to be the secondary placement
option, and you should comply with any court orders for services and
participate in visitation with your child. Early and consistent
involvement in your child's case plan is important for the well-being
of your child.
3. Dependency review hearings, and all other dependency case
hearings, are legal proceedings with potentially serious consequences.
Failure to participate, respond, or comply with court orders may lead
to the loss of your parental rights.""
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Strikes the underlying bill and requires a standard
single-page notice be attached to all Individual Services and Safety
Plans prepared in children's dependency cases reminding parents of the
importance of engaging in services, complying with court orders, and
maintaining contact with the child.