BILL REQ. #:  S-1883.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to subsequent foster family home placements; and amending RCW 74.13.290.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 74.13.290 and 1990 c 284 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) To provide stability to children in out-of-home care, placement selection shall be made with a view toward the fewest possible placements for each child. If possible, the initial placement shall be viewed as the only placement for the child. The use of short-term interim placements of thirty days or less to protect the child's health or safety while the placement of choice is being arranged is not a violation of this principle.
     (2) If a child has been previously placed in out-of-home care and is subsequently returned to out-of-home care, the department shall give preference to placement of the child with a relative as required in RCW 13.34.130. If, after due diligence by the department, an appropriate relative cannot be located or is otherwise unavailable or inappropriate, the department shall give preference to a foster family home in which the child was previously placed, if the foster family home is available and willing, is currently appropriate for the child's needs, and the placement is in the best interest of the child.