SB 5494 - DIGEST

Creates the baby court initiative to support early interventions with parents of young children who are found to be dependent.

Defines "baby court" as a therapeutic court that provides an intensive court process for families with a child under age three who has been found dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW (the juvenile court act).

Requires the family and juvenile court improvement grant program to: (1) Develop standards for baby courts;

(2) Develop a process where a superior court may apply for grant funds from the grant program to establish a baby court;

(3) Distribute grant funds to support baby courts in two superior courts that serve rural and urban populations; and

(4) Sponsor and coordinate training for judicial officers and other professionals that participate in baby courts receiving grant funding.