BILL REQ. #:  S-4454.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/04/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to relatives in dependency proceedings; amending RCW 13.34.060; reenacting and amending RCW 13.34.130; adding a new section to chapter 13.34 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A relative of a dependent child may petition the juvenile court to be heard on the department or supervising agency's decision to remove the child from the relative's care if:
     (a) The child has been found to be a dependent child under this chapter;
     (b) The parents of the child have consented to the relative filing a petition to be heard on the placement decision;
     (c) The child is in the custody of the department or supervising agency at the time the petition is filed;
     (d) The department or supervising agency has made the decision to remove or has already removed the child from the relative's care; and
     (e) The child had been in the relative's care for twelve months or more prior to the decision to remove or the removal of the child.
     (2) The relative has ten business days from the date the relative learns of the removal decision, or the child is removed from the relative's care, whichever is later, to file the petition to be heard.
     (3) If the requirements of subsection (1) of this section are met, the court shall grant the petition to be heard on the sole issue of the placement decision and shall schedule an expedited hearing on the matter.
     (4) The relative has the right to be represented by counsel, at his or her own expense, at the hearing on the petition to be heard. The relative may call and cross-examine witnesses at the hearing.
     (5) The granting of the petition to be heard under this section does not grant the relative party status in the underlying dependency.
     (6) For the purposes of this section, "relative" means a relative as defined in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a) except parents.

Sec. 2   RCW 13.34.060 and 2007 c 413 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A child taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050 shall be immediately placed in shelter care. A child taken by a relative of the child in violation of RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070 shall be placed in shelter care only when permitted under RCW 13.34.055. No child may be held longer than seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after such child is taken into custody unless a court order has been entered for continued shelter care. In no case may a child who is taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.055, 13.34.050, or 26.44.050 be detained in a secure detention facility.
     (2)(a) Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that the efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered, priority placement for a child in shelter care, pending a court hearing, shall be with any person described in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a) or 13.34.130(1)(b). The person must be willing and available to care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child and the court must find that such placement is in the best interests of the child. The person must be willing to facilitate the child's visitation with siblings, if such visitation is part of the supervising agency's plan or is ordered by the court.
     (b) If a child is not initially placed with a relative or other suitable person requested by the parent pursuant to this section, the supervising agency shall make an effort within available resources to place the child with a relative or other suitable person requested by the parent on the next business day after the child is taken into custody.
     (c) The supervising agency shall document its effort to place the child with a relative or other suitable person requested by the parent pursuant to this section. Nothing within this subsection (2) establishes an entitlement to services or a right to a particular placement.
     (d) When the parent requests relative placement, there is a presumption that the placement is in the best interests of the child as long as the placement will not impede reasonable efforts to reunify. The department has the burden to overcome the presumption by a preponderance of the evidence.
     (3) Whenever a child is taken into custody pursuant to this section, the supervising agency may authorize evaluations of the child's physical or emotional condition, routine medical and dental examination and care, and all necessary emergency care.

Sec. 3   RCW 13.34.130 and 2009 c 520 s 27, 2009 c 491 s 2, and 2009 c 397 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     If, after a fact-finding hearing pursuant to RCW 13.34.110, it has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence that the child is dependent within the meaning of RCW 13.34.030 after consideration of the social study prepared pursuant to RCW 13.34.110 and after a disposition hearing has been held pursuant to RCW 13.34.110, the court shall enter an order of disposition pursuant to this section.
     (1) The court shall order one of the following dispositions of the case:
     (a) Order a disposition other than removal of the child from his or her home, which shall provide a program designed to alleviate the immediate danger to the child, to mitigate or cure any damage the child has already suffered, and to aid the parents so that the child will not be endangered in the future. In determining the disposition, the court should choose services to assist the parents in maintaining the child in the home, including housing assistance, if appropriate, that least interfere with family autonomy and are adequate to protect the child.
     (b)(i) Order the child to be removed from his or her home and into the custody, control, and care of a relative or other suitable person, the department, or a supervising agency for supervision of the child's placement.
     (ii) Absent good cause, the department or supervising agency shall follow the wishes of the parent regarding placement of the child as provided in RCW 13.34.260.
     (iii) If the parent requests the relative placement, there is a presumption that the placement is in the best interests of the child as long as the placement does not impede reasonable efforts to reunify. The department has the burden of overcoming the presumption by a preponderance of the evidence.
     (iv) If the child is not placed with a relative as requested by the parent, the department or supervising agency has the authority to place the child, subject to review and approval by the court (((i))) (A) with a relative as defined in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a), (((ii))) (B) in the home of another suitable person if the child or family has a preexisting relationship with that person, and the person has completed all required criminal history background checks and otherwise appears to the department or supervising agency to be suitable and competent to provide care for the child, or (((iii))) (C) in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. ((Absent good cause, the department or supervising agency shall follow the wishes of the natural parent regarding the placement of the child in accordance with RCW 13.34.260.))
     (v) The department or supervising agency may only place a child with a person not related to the child as defined in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a) when the court finds that such placement is in the best interest of the child. Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered, the child shall be placed with a person who is: (A) Related to the child as defined in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a) with whom the child has a relationship and is comfortable; or (B) a suitable person as described in this subsection (1)(b); and (C) willing, appropriate, and available to care for the child. The court shall consider the child's existing relationships and attachments when determining placement.
     (2) Placement of the child with a relative or other suitable person as described in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be given preference by the court. An order for out-of-home placement may be made only if the court finds that reasonable efforts have been made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home and to make it possible for the child to return home, specifying the services, including housing assistance, that have been provided to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and that preventive services have been offered or provided and have failed to prevent the need for out-of-home placement, unless the health, safety, and welfare of the child cannot be protected adequately in the home, and that:
     (a) There is no parent or guardian available to care for such child;
     (b) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not willing to take custody of the child; or
     (c) The court finds, by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, a manifest danger exists that the child will suffer serious abuse or neglect if the child is not removed from the home and an order under RCW 26.44.063 would not protect the child from danger.
     (3) If the court has ordered a child removed from his or her home pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section, the court shall consider whether it is in a child's best interest to be placed with, have contact with, or have visits with siblings.
     (a) There shall be a presumption that such placement, contact, or visits are in the best interests of the child provided that:
     (i) The court has jurisdiction over all siblings subject to the order of placement, contact, or visitation pursuant to petitions filed under this chapter or the parents of a child for whom there is no jurisdiction are willing to agree; and
     (ii) There is no reasonable cause to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of any child subject to the order of placement, contact, or visitation would be jeopardized or that efforts to reunite the parent and child would be hindered by such placement, contact, or visitation. In no event shall parental visitation time be reduced in order to provide sibling visitation.
     (b) The court may also order placement, contact, or visitation of a child with a step-brother or step-sister provided that in addition to the factors in (a) of this subsection, the child has a relationship and is comfortable with the step-sibling.
     (4) If the court has ordered a child removed from his or her home pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section and placed into nonparental or nonrelative care, the court shall order a placement that allows the child to remain in the same school he or she attended prior to the initiation of the dependency proceeding when such a placement is practical and in the child's best interest.
     (5) If the court has ordered a child removed from his or her home pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section, the court may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed if the requirements of RCW 13.34.132 are met.
     (6) If there is insufficient information at the time of the disposition hearing upon which to base a determination regarding the suitability of a proposed placement with a relative or other suitable person, the child shall remain in foster care and the court shall direct the department or supervising agency to conduct necessary background investigations as provided in chapter 74.15 RCW and report the results of such investigation to the court within thirty days. However, if such relative or other person appears otherwise suitable and competent to provide care and treatment, the criminal history background check need not be completed before placement, but as soon as possible after placement. Any placements with relatives or other suitable persons, pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon cooperation by the relative or other suitable person with the agency case plan and compliance with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child including, but not limited to, court orders regarding parent-child contacts, sibling contacts, and any other conditions imposed by the court. Noncompliance with the case plan or court order shall be grounds for removal of the child from the relative's or other suitable person's home, subject to review by the court.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act may be known and cited as the Alexis Stuth act.