"Sec. 1   RCW 13.34.096 and 2009 c 520 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department or supervising agency shall provide the child's foster parents, preadoptive parents, or other caregivers with notice of their right to be heard prior to each proceeding held with respect to the child in juvenile court under this chapter. The rights to notice and to be heard apply only to persons with whom a child has been placed by the department ((before shelter care)) or other supervising agency and who are providing care to the child at the time of the proceeding. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person solely on the basis of such notice and right to be heard.
     (2) The department or other supervising agency and the court also shall consider, in any hearing under this chapter regarding a change in the child's placement, written information about the child submitted by persons who provided care to the child within twelve months preceding the hearing and other persons who have a significant relationship with the child.

Sec. 2   RCW 74.13.300 and 2009 c 520 s 77 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever a child has been placed in a foster family home or in the home of a relative caregiver or other suitable person as described in RCW 13.34.130(1)(b) by the department or supervising agency and the child has thereafter resided in the home for at least ninety consecutive days, the department or supervising agency shall notify the foster family, relative caregiver, or other suitable person at least five days prior to moving the child to another placement, unless:
     (a) A court order has been entered requiring an immediate change in placement;
     (b) The child is being returned home;
     (c) The child's safety is in jeopardy; or
     (d) The child is residing in a receiving home or a group home.
     (2) If the child has resided in a foster family home or in the home of a relative caregiver or other suitable person as described in RCW 13.34.130(1)(b) for less than ninety days or if, due to one or more of the circumstances in subsection (1) of this section, it is not possible to give five days' notification, the department or supervising agency shall notify the foster family, relative caregiver, or suitable person of proposed placement changes as soon as reasonably possible.
     (3) This section is intended ((solely)) to assist in minimizing disruption to the child in changing ((foster care)) placements. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that a court hearing be held prior to changing a child's ((foster care)) placement nor to create any substantive custody rights ((in the)) for foster parents, relative caregivers, or other suitable persons with whom a child is placed.
     (4) Whenever a child has been placed with and resided in the home of a foster family, relative caregiver, or other suitable person as described in RCW 13.34.130(1)(b) for twelve continuous months or longer, the notice required under this section must be in writing and specify the reasons for changing the child's placement. The department shall report annually to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding changes in placement for children who have resided for twelve continuous months or longer with a foster family, relative caregiver, or other suitable person, including the reasons for changing the placements of those children. The first report is due to the legislature not later than September 1, 2011, and a final report is due September 1, 2015.

Sec. 3   RCW 13.34.105 and 2008 c 267 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unless otherwise directed by the court, the duties of the guardian ad litem for a child subject to a proceeding under this chapter, including an attorney specifically appointed by the court to serve as a guardian ad litem, include but are not limited to the following:
     (a) To investigate, collect relevant information about the child's situation, and report to the court factual information regarding the best interests of the child;
     (b) To meet with, interview, or observe the child, depending on the child's age and developmental status, and report to the court any views or positions expressed by the child on issues pending before the court;
     (c) To monitor all court orders for compliance and to bring to the court's attention any change in circumstances that may require a modification of the court's order;
     (d) To report to the court information on the legal status of a child's membership in any Indian tribe or band;
     (e) Court-appointed special advocates and guardians ad litem may make recommendations based upon an independent investigation regarding the best interests of the child, which the court may consider and weigh in conjunction with the recommendations of all of the parties; and
     (f) To represent and be an advocate for the best interests of the child.
     (2) The guardian ad litem's duties do not include making findings under RCW 26.44.030 regarding alleged child abuse or neglect.
     (3) A guardian ad litem shall be deemed an officer of the court for the purpose of immunity from civil liability.
     (((3))) (4) Except for information or records specified in RCW 13.50.100(7), the guardian ad litem shall have access to all information available to the state or agency on the case. Upon presentation of the order of appointment by the guardian ad litem, any agency, hospital, school organization, division or department of the state, doctor, nurse, or other health care provider, psychologist, psychiatrist, police department, or mental health clinic shall permit the guardian ad litem to inspect and copy any records relating to the child or children involved in the case, without the consent of the parent or guardian of the child, or of the child if the child is under the age of thirteen years, unless such access is otherwise specifically prohibited by law.
     (((4))) (5) A guardian ad litem may release confidential information, records, and reports to the office of the family and children's ombudsman for the purposes of carrying out its duties under chapter 43.06A RCW.
     (((5))) (6) The guardian ad litem shall release case information in accordance with the provisions of RCW 13.50.100."