S-4146

AN ACT Relating to technical and clarifying amendments to the dependency and termination of parental rights statutes; amending RCW 13.34.030, 13.34.040, 13.34.050, 13.34.060, 13.34.070, 13.34.080, 13.34.120, 13.34.145, 13.34.165, 13.34.170, 13.34.174, 13.34.176, 13.34.180, 13.34.190, 13.34.200, 13.34.210, 13.34.231, 13.34.233, 13.34.235, 13.34.260, 13.34.270, 13.34.300, 13.34.340, 13.70.003, 13.70.110, 13.70.140, 26.44.115, and 74.15.030; reenacting and amending RCW 13.34.090, 13.34.110, and 13.34.130; adding new sections to chapter 13.34 RCW; recodifying RCW 13.34.170; and repealing RCW 13.34.162 and 13.34.220.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 13.34.030 and 1999 c 267 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

For purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Abandoned" means when the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian has expressed, either by statement or conduct, an intent to forego, for an extended period, parental rights or responsibilities despite an ability to exercise such rights and responsibilities. If the court finds that the petitioner has exercised due diligence in attempting to locate the parent, no contact between the child and the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian for a period of three months creates a rebuttable presumption of abandonment, even if there is no expressed intent to abandon.

(2) "Child" and "juvenile" means any individual under the age of eighteen years.

((~~(2)~~)) (3) "Current placement episode" means the period of time that begins with the most recent date that the child was removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian for purposes of placement in out-of-home care and continues until: (a) The child returns home((,)) ; (b) an adoption decree, a permanent custody order, or guardianship order is entered((,)); or (c) the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs ((~~soonest~~)) first. ((If the most recent date of removal occurred prior to the filing of a dependency petition under this chapter or after filing but prior to entry of a disposition order, such time periods shall be included when calculating the length of a child's current placement episode.

~~(3)~~)) (4) "Dependency guardian" means the person, nonprofit corporation, or Indian tribe appointed by the court pursuant to ((~~RCW 13.34.232~~)) this chapter for the limited purpose of assisting the court in the supervision of the dependency.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) "Dependent child" means any child who:

(a) ((~~Who~~)) Has been abandoned; ((that is, where the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian has expressed either by statement or conduct, an intent to forego, for an extended period, parental rights or parental responsibilities despite an ability to do so. If the court finds that the petitioner has exercised due diligence in attempting to locate the parent, no contact between the child and the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian for a period of three months creates a rebuttable presumption of abandonment, even if there is no expressed intent to abandon;))

(b) ((~~Who~~)) Is abused or neglected as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW by a person legally responsible for the care of the child; or

(c) ((~~Who~~)) Has no parent, guardian, or custodian capable of adequately caring for the child, such that the child is in circumstances which constitute a danger of substantial damage to the child's psychological or physical development.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) "Developmental disability" means a disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition of an individual found by the secretary to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with mental retardation, which disability originates before the individual attains age eighteen, which has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely, and which constitutes a substantial handicap to the individual.

(7) "Guardian" means the person or agency that: (a) Has been appointed as the guardian of a child in a legal proceeding other than a proceeding under this chapter; and (b) has the legal right to custody of the child pursuant to such appointment. The term "guardian" shall not include a "dependency guardian" appointed pursuant to a proceeding under this chapter.

((~~(6)~~)) (8) "Guardian ad litem" means a person, appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a proceeding under this chapter, or in any matter which may be consolidated with a proceeding under this chapter. A "court-appointed special advocate" appointed by the court to be the guardian ad litem for the child, or to perform substantially the same duties and functions as a guardian ad litem, shall be deemed to be guardian ad litem for all purposes and uses of this chapter.

((~~(7)~~)) (9) "Guardian ad litem program" means a court-authorized volunteer program, which is or may be established by the superior court of the county in which such proceeding is filed, to manage all aspects of volunteer guardian ad litem representation for children alleged or found to be dependent. Such management shall include but is not limited to: Recruitment, screening, training, supervision, assignment, and discharge of volunteers.

((~~(8)~~)) (10) "Indigent" means a person who, at any stage of a court proceeding, is:

(a) Receiving one of the following types of public assistance: Temporary assistance for needy families, general assistance, poverty-related veterans' benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, medicaid, or supplemental security income; or

(b) Involuntarily committed to a public mental health facility; or

(c) Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of one hundred twenty-five percent or less of the federally established poverty level; or

(d) Unable to pay the anticipated cost of counsel for the matter before the court because his or her available funds are insufficient to pay any amount for the retention of counsel.

(11) "Out-of-home care" means placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or placement in a home, other than that of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW.

((~~(9)~~)) (12) "Preventive services" means preservation services, as defined in chapter 74.14C RCW, and other reasonably available services, including housing services, capable of preventing the need for out-of-home placement while protecting the child. Housing services may include, but are not limited to, referrals to federal, state, local, or private agencies or organizations, assistance with forms and applications, or financial subsidies for housing.

(13) "Shelter care" means temporary physical care in a facility licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030 or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030.

(14) "Social study" means a written evaluation of matters relevant to the disposition of the case and shall contain the following information:

(a) A statement of the specific harm or harms to the child that intervention is designed to alleviate;

(b) A description of the specific programs, for both the parents and child, that are needed in order to prevent serious harm to the child; the reasons why such programs are likely to be useful; the availability of any proposed services; and the agency's overall plan for ensuring that the services will be delivered. The description shall identify the services chosen and approved by the parent;

(c) If removal is recommended, a full description of the reasons why the child cannot be protected adequately in the home, including a description of any previous efforts to work with the parents and the child in the home; the in-home treatment programs that have been considered and rejected; the preventive services that 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 the parents' attitude toward placement of the child;

(d) A statement of the likely harms the child will suffer as a result of removal;

(e) A description of the steps that will be taken to minimize the harm to the child that may result if separation occurs; and

(f) Behavior that will be expected before determination that supervision of the family or placement is no longer necessary.

Sec. 2. RCW 13.34.040 and 1977 ex.s. c 291 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person may file with the clerk of the superior court a petition showing that there is within the county, or residing within the county, a dependent child and ((~~praying~~)) requesting that the superior court deal with such child as provided in this chapter((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)). There shall be no fee for filing such petitions.

(2) In counties having paid probation officers, ((~~such~~)) these officers shall, ((~~as far as~~)) to the extent possible, first determine if ((~~such~~)) a petition is reasonably justifiable. ((~~Such~~)) Each petition shall be verified and ((~~shall~~)) contain a statement of facts constituting ((~~such~~)) a dependency, ((~~as defined in this chapter,~~)) and the names and residence, if known to the petitioner, of the parents, guardian, or custodian of ((~~such~~)) the alleged dependent child. ((~~There shall be no fee for filing such petitions.~~))

Sec. 3. RCW 13.34.050 and 1998 c 328 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The court may enter an order directing a law enforcement officer, probation counselor, or child protective services official to take a child into custody if: (a) A petition is filed with the juvenile court alleging that the child is dependent and that the child's health, safety, and welfare will be seriously endangered if not taken into custody; (b) an affidavit or declaration is filed by the department in support of the petition setting forth specific factual information evidencing reasonable grounds that the child's health, safety, and welfare will be seriously endangered if not taken into custody and at least one of the grounds set forth demonstrates a risk of imminent harm to the child. "Imminent harm" for purposes of this section shall include, but not be limited to, circumstances of sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation as defined in RCW 26.44.020; and (c) the court finds reasonable grounds to believe the child is dependent and that the child's health, safety, and welfare will be seriously endangered if not taken into custody.

(2) Any petition that does not have the necessary affidavit or declaration demonstrating a risk of imminent harm requires that the parents are provided notice and an opportunity to be heard ((~~by the parents~~)) before the order may be entered.

(3) The petition and supporting documentation must be served on the parent, and ((~~the entity with whom~~)) if the child is in custody at the time the child is removed, on the entity with custody other than the parent. Failure to effect service does not invalidate the petition if service was attempted and the parent could not be found.

Sec. 4. RCW 13.34.060 and 1999 c 17 s 2 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. ((~~"Shelter care" means temporary physical care in a facility licensed pursuant to RCW 74.15.030 or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to that section.~~))

(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 shall be with any person described in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a). The person must be willing and available to care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child. If a child is not initially placed with a relative pursuant to this section, the supervising agency shall make an effort within available resources to place the child with a relative on the next business day after the child is taken into custody. The supervising agency shall document its effort to place the child with a relative pursuant to this section. Nothing within this subsection (1)(a) establishes an entitlement to services or a right to a particular placement.

(b) Whenever a child is taken into ((~~such~~)) 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. 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. 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. The child and his or her parent, guardian, or custodian shall be informed that they have a right to a shelter care hearing. The court shall hold a shelter care hearing within seventy-two hours after the child is taken into custody, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If a parent, guardian, or legal custodian desires to waive the shelter care hearing, the court shall determine, on the record and with the parties present, ((~~that~~)) whether such waiver is knowing and voluntary.

(2) Whenever a child is taken into custody by child protective services pursuant to a court order issued under RCW 13.34.050 or when child protective services is notified that a child has been taken into custody pursuant to RCW 26.44.050 or 26.44.056, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to inform the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the fact that the child has been taken into custody, the reasons why the child was taken into custody, and their legal rights under this title as soon as possible and in no event ((~~longer~~)) shall notice be provided more than twenty-four hours after the child has been taken into custody or twenty-four hours after child protective services has been notified that the child has been taken into custody. The notice of custody and rights may be given by any means reasonably certain of notifying the parents including, but not limited to, written, telephone, or in person oral notification. If the initial notification is provided by a means other than writing, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to also provide written notification.

((~~The written notice of custody and rights shall be in substantially the following form:~~

~~"NOTICE~~

Your child has been placed in temporary custody under the supervision of Child Protective Services (or other person or agency). You have important legal rights and you must take steps to protect your interests.

~~1. A court hearing will be held before a judge within 72 hours of the time your child is taken into custody. You should call the court at~~ ~~(insert appropriate phone number here)~~ ~~for specific information about the date, time, and location of the court hearing.~~

2. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. You have the right to records the department intends to rely upon. A lawyer can look at the files in your case, talk to child protective services and other agencies, tell you about the law, help you understand your rights, and help you at hearings. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one to represent you. To get a court-appointed lawyer you must contact: ~~(explain local procedure)~~ .

~~3. At the hearing, you have the right to speak on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, to examine witnesses, and to receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented to the judge.~~

4. If your hearing occurs before a court commissioner, you have the right to have the decision of the court commissioner reviewed by a superior court judge. To obtain that review, you must, within ten days after the entry of the decision of the court commissioner, file with the court a motion for revision of the decision, as provided in RCW 2.24.050.

~~You should be present at this hearing. If you do not come, the judge will not hear what you have to say.~~

~~You may call the Child Protective Services' caseworker for more information about your child. The caseworker's name and telephone number are:~~ ~~(insert name and telephone number)~~ ."

Upon receipt of the written notice, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian shall acknowledge such notice by signing a receipt prepared by child protective services. If the parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not sign the receipt, the reason for lack of a signature shall be written on the receipt. The receipt shall be made a part of the court's file in the dependency action.

If after making reasonable efforts to provide notification, child protective services is unable to determine the whereabouts of the parents, guardian, or legal custodian, the notice shall be delivered or sent to the last known address of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

(3) If child protective services is not required to give notice under subsection (2) of this section, the juvenile court counselor assigned to the matter shall make all reasonable efforts to advise the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the time and place of any shelter care hearing, request that they be present, and inform them of their basic rights as provided in RCW 13.34.090.

(4) Reasonable efforts to advise and to give notice, as required in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, shall include, at a minimum, investigation of the whereabouts of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. If such reasonable efforts are not successful, or the parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not appear at the shelter care hearing, the juvenile court counselor or caseworker shall testify at the hearing or state in a declaration:

~~(a) The efforts made to investigate the whereabouts of, and to advise, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian; and~~

~~(b) Whether actual advice of rights was made, to whom it was made, and how it was made, including the substance of any oral communication or copies of written materials used.~~

(5) At the commencement of the shelter care hearing the court shall advise the parties of their basic rights as provided in RCW 13.34.090 and shall appoint counsel pursuant to RCW 13.34.090 if counsel has not been retained by the parent or guardian and if the parent or guardian is indigent, unless the court finds that the right to counsel has been expressly and voluntarily waived in court.

(6) The court shall hear evidence regarding notice given to, and efforts to notify, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and shall examine the need for shelter care. The court shall hear evidence regarding the efforts made to place the child with a relative. The court shall make an express finding as to whether the notice required under subsections (2) and (3) of this section was given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. All parties have the right to present testimony to the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care. Hearsay evidence before the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care must be supported by sworn testimony, affidavit, or declaration of the person offering such evidence.

(7) The juvenile court probation counselor shall submit a recommendation to the court as to the further need for shelter care, except that such recommendation shall be submitted by the department of social and health services in cases where the petition alleging dependency has been filed by the department of social and health services, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(8) The court shall release a child alleged to be dependent to the care, custody, and control of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian unless the court finds there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(a) After consideration of the specific services that have been provided, 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; and

~~(b)(i) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian to provide supervision and care for such child; or~~

~~(ii) The release of such child would present a serious threat of substantial harm to such child; or~~

~~(iii) The parent, guardian, or custodian to whom the child could be released is alleged to have violated RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070.~~

If the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and the child was initially placed with a relative pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the court shall order continued placement with a relative, unless there is reasonable cause to believe the safety or welfare of the child would be jeopardized. If the child was not initially placed with a relative, and the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the supervising agency shall make reasonable efforts to locate a relative pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. If a relative is not available, the court shall order continued shelter care or order placement with another suitable person, and the court shall set forth its reasons for the order. The court shall enter a finding as to whether subsections (2) and (3) of this section have been complied with. If actual notice was not given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and the whereabouts of such person is known or can be ascertained, the court shall order the supervising agency or the department of social and health services to make reasonable efforts to advise the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the status of the case, including the date and time of any subsequent hearings, and their rights under RCW 13.34.090.

(9) An order releasing the child on any conditions specified in this section may at any time be amended, with notice and hearing thereon, so as to return the child to shelter care for failure of the parties to conform to the conditions originally imposed.

The court shall consider whether nonconformance with any conditions resulted from circumstances beyond the control of the parent and give weight to that fact before ordering return of the child to shelter care.

(10) A shelter care order issued pursuant to this section may be amended at any time with notice and hearing thereon. The shelter care decision of placement shall be modified only upon a showing of change in circumstances. No child may be detained for longer than thirty days without an order, signed by the judge, authorizing continued shelter care.

(11) Any parent, guardian, or legal custodian who for good cause is unable to attend the initial shelter care hearing may request that a subsequent shelter care hearing be scheduled. The request shall be made to the clerk of the court where the petition is filed prior to the initial shelter care hearing. The hearing shall be held within seventy-two hours of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The clerk shall notify all other parties of the hearing by any reasonable means.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The written notice of custody and rights required by RCW 13.34.060 shall be in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE

1. A court hearing will be held before a judge within 72 hours of the time your child is taken into custody excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. You should call the court at (insert appropriate phone number here) for specific information about the date, time, and location of the court hearing.

3. At the hearing, you have the right to speak on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, to examine witnesses, and to receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented to the judge.

You should be present at any shelter care hearing. If you do not come, the judge will not hear what you have to say.

You may call the Child Protective Services' caseworker for more information about your child. The caseworker's name and telephone number are: (insert name and telephone number) ."

(2) If child protective services is not required to give notice under RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsection (1) of this section, the juvenile court counselor assigned to the matter shall make all reasonable efforts to advise the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the time and place of any shelter care hearing, request that they be present, and inform them of their basic rights as provided in RCW 13.34.090.

(3) Reasonable efforts to advise and to give notice, as required in RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section, shall include, at a minimum, investigation of the whereabouts of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. If such reasonable efforts are not successful, or the parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not appear at the shelter care hearing, the petitioner shall testify at the hearing or state in a declaration:

(a) The efforts made to investigate the whereabouts of, and to advise, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian; and

(b) Whether actual advice of rights was made, to whom it was made, and how it was made, including the substance of any oral communication or copies of written materials used.

(4) The court shall hear evidence regarding notice given to, and efforts to notify, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and shall examine the need for shelter care. The court shall hear evidence regarding the efforts made to place the child with a relative. The court shall make an express finding as to whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section was given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. All parties have the right to present testimony to the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care. Hearsay evidence before the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care must be supported by sworn testimony, affidavit, or declaration of the person offering such evidence.

(5) A shelter care order issued pursuant to section 7 of this act may be amended at any time with notice and hearing thereon. The shelter care decision of placement shall be modified only upon a showing of change in circumstances. No child may be placed in shelter care for longer than thirty days without an order, signed by the judge, authorizing continued shelter care.

(6) Any parent, guardian, or legal custodian who for good cause is unable to attend the initial shelter care hearing may request that a subsequent shelter care hearing be scheduled. The request shall be made to the clerk of the court where the petition is filed prior to the initial shelter care hearing. Upon the request of the parent, the court shall schedule the hearing within seventy-two hours of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The clerk shall notify all other parties of the hearing by any reasonable means.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

At the commencement of the shelter care hearing the court shall advise the parties of basic rights as provided in RCW 13.34.090 and appoint counsel pursuant to RCW 13.34.090 if the parent or guardian is indigent unless counsel has been retained by the parent or guardian or the court finds that the right to counsel has been expressly and voluntarily waived in court.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The juvenile court probation counselor shall submit a recommendation to the court as to the further need for shelter care unless the petition has been filed by the department, in which case the recommendation shall be submitted by the department.

(2) The court shall release a child alleged to be dependent to the care, custody, and control of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian unless the court finds there is reasonable cause to believe that:

(b)(i) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian to provide supervision and care for such child; or

(ii) The release of such child would present a serious threat of substantial harm to such child; or

(iii) The parent, guardian, or custodian to whom the child could be released has been charged with violating RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070.

If the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and the child was initially placed with a relative pursuant to RCW 13.34.060(1), the court shall order continued placement with a relative, unless there is reasonable cause to believe the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized. If the child was not initially placed with a relative, and the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the supervising agency shall make reasonable efforts to locate a relative pursuant to RCW 13.34.060(1). If a relative is not available, the court shall order continued shelter care or order placement with another suitable person, and the court shall set forth its reasons for the order. The court shall enter a finding as to whether RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section have been complied with. If actual notice was not given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and the whereabouts of such person is known or can be ascertained, the court shall order the supervising agency or the department of social and health services to make reasonable efforts to advise the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the status of the case, including the date and time of any subsequent hearings, and their rights under RCW 13.34.090.

(3) An order releasing the child on any conditions specified in this section may at any time be amended, with notice and hearing thereon, so as to return the child to shelter care for failure of the parties to conform to the conditions originally imposed.

Sec. 8. RCW 13.34.070 and 1993 c 358 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon the filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall issue a summons, one directed to the child, if the child is twelve or more years of age, and another to the parents, guardian, or custodian, and such other persons as appear to the court to be proper or necessary parties to the proceedings, requiring them to appear personally before the court at the time fixed to hear the petition. If the child is developmentally disabled and not living at home, the notice shall be given to the child's custodian as well as to the child's parent. The developmentally disabled child shall not be required to appear unless requested by the court. ((~~Where~~)) When the custodian is summoned, the parent or guardian or both shall also be served with a summons. The fact-finding hearing on the petition shall be held no later than seventy-five days after the filing of the petition, unless exceptional reasons for a continuance are found. The party requesting the continuance shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that exceptional circumstances ((do)) exist. To ensure that the hearing on the petition occurs within the seventy-five day time limit, the court shall schedule and hear the matter on an expedited basis.

(2) A copy of the petition shall be attached to each summons.

(3) The summons shall advise the parties of the right to counsel. The summons shall also inform the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian of his or ((~~[her]~~)) her right to appointed counsel, if indigent, and of the procedure to use to secure appointed counsel.

(4) The summons shall advise the parents that they may be held responsible for the support of the child if the child is placed in out-of-home care.

(5) The judge may endorse upon the summons an order directing any parent, guardian, or custodian having the custody or control of the child to bring the child to the hearing.

(6) If it appears from affidavit or sworn statement presented to the judge that there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest or that the child needs to be taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050, the judge may endorse upon the summons an order that an officer serving the summons shall at once take the child into custody and take him or her to the place of shelter designated by the court.

(7) If the person summoned as provided in this section is subject to an order of the court pursuant to subsection (5) or (6) of this section, and if the person fails to abide by the order, he or she may be proceeded against as for contempt of court. The order endorsed upon the summons shall conspicuously display the following legend:

NOTICE:

VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER

IS SUBJECT TO PROCEEDING

FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT

PURSUANT TO RCW 13.34.070.

(8) If a party to be served with a summons can be found within the state, the summons shall be served upon the party personally as soon as possible following the filing of the petition, but in no case later than fifteen court days before the fact-finding hearing, or such time as set by the court. If the party is within the state and cannot be personally served, but the party's address is known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, the summons may be served upon the party by mailing a copy ((~~thereof~~)) by certified mail as soon as possible following the filing of the petition, but in no case later than fifteen court days before the hearing, or such time as set by the court. If a party other than the child is without the state but can be found or the address is known, or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, service of the summons may be made either by delivering a copy ((~~thereof~~)) to the party personally or by mailing a copy thereof to the party by certified mail at least ten court days before the fact-finding hearing, or such time as set by the court.

(9) Service of summons may be made under the direction of the court by any person eighteen years of age or older who is not a party to the proceedings or by any law enforcement officer, probation counselor, or department ((~~of social and health services social worker~~)) employee.

(10) In any proceeding brought under this chapter where the court knows or has reason to know that the child involved is a member or is eligible to be a member of an Indian tribe, notice of the pendency of the proceeding shall also be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the child's tribe. If the identity or location of the tribe cannot be determined, such notice shall be transmitted to the secretary of the interior of the United States.

Sec. 9. RCW 13.34.080 and 1990 c 246 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

((In a dependency case where it appears by the petition or verified statement, that the person standing in the position of natural or legal guardian of the person of any child, is a nonresident of this state, or that the name or place of residence or whereabouts of such person is unknown, as well as in all cases where, after due diligence, the officer has been unable to make service of the summons or notice provided for in RCW 13.34.070, and a copy of the notice has been deposited in the post office, postage prepaid, directed to such person at his last known place of residence,)) (1) The court shall direct the clerk to publish notice in a legal newspaper printed in the county, qualified to publish summons, once a week for three consecutive weeks, with the first publication of the notice to be at least twenty-five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing when it appears by the petition or verified statement that:

(a)(i) The parent or guardian is a nonresident of this state; or

(ii) The name or place of residence or whereabouts of the parent or guardian is unknown; and

(b) After due diligence, the person attempting service of the summons or notice provided for in RCW 13.34.070 has been unable to make service, and a copy of the notice has been deposited in the post office, postage prepaid, directed to such person at his or her last known place of residence. If the parent, guardian, or legal custodian is believed to be a resident of another state or a county other than the county in which the petition has been filed, notice also shall be published in the county in which the parent, guardian, or legal custodian is believed to reside.

((~~Additionally,~~)) (2) Publication may proceed simultaneously with efforts to provide ((~~personal~~)) service in person or ((~~service~~)) by mail ((~~for good cause shown~~)), when the court determines there is reason to believe that ((~~personal~~)) service in person or ((~~service~~)) by mail will not be successful. ((~~Such~~)) Notice shall be directed to the parent, parents, or other person claiming the right to the custody of the child, if their names are known((~~, or~~)). If their names are unknown, the phrase "To whom it may concern" shall be used ((~~and~~)), apply to, and be binding upon, ((~~any such~~)) those persons whose names are unknown. The name of the court, the name of the child (or children if of one family), the date of the filing of the petition, the date of hearing, and the object of the proceeding in general terms shall be set forth((~~, and the whole shall be subscribed by the clerk~~)). There shall be filed with the clerk an affidavit showing due publication of the notice((~~, and~~)). The cost of publication shall be paid by the county at a rate not ((~~to exceed~~)) greater than the rate paid ((~~by the county~~)) for other legal notices. The publication of notice shall be deemed equivalent to personal service upon all persons, known or unknown, who have been designated as provided in this section.

Sec. 10. RCW 13.34.090 and 1998 c 328 s 3 and 1998 c 141 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) Any party has a right to be represented by an attorney in all proceedings under this chapter, to introduce evidence, to be heard in his or her own behalf, to examine witnesses, to receive a decision based solely on the evidence adduced at the hearing, and to an unbiased fact-finder.

(2) At all stages of a proceeding in which a child is alleged to be dependent ((~~as defined in RCW 13.34.030(4)~~)), the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian has the right to be represented by counsel, and if indigent, to have counsel appointed for him or her by the court. Unless waived in court, counsel shall be provided to the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, if such person (a) has appeared in the proceeding or requested the court to appoint counsel and (b) is financially unable to obtain counsel because of indigency ((~~as defined in chapter 10.101 RCW~~)).

(3) If a party to an action under this chapter is represented by counsel, no order shall be provided to that party for his or her signature without prior notice and provision of the order to counsel.

(4) Copies of department of social and health services or supervising agency records to which parents have legal access pursuant to chapter 13.50 RCW shall be given to the child's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or his or her legal counsel, prior to any shelter care hearing and within fifteen days after the department or supervising agency receives a written request for such records from the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or his or her legal counsel. These records shall be provided to the child's parents, guardian, legal custodian, or legal counsel a reasonable period of time prior to the shelter care hearing in order to allow an opportunity to review the records prior to the hearing. These records shall be legible and shall be provided at no expense to the parents, guardian, legal custodian, or his or her counsel. When the records are served on legal counsel, legal counsel shall have the opportunity to review the records with the parents and shall review the records with the parents prior to the shelter care hearing.

Sec. 11. RCW 13.34.110 and 1995 c 313 s 1 and 1995 c 311 s 27 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The court shall hold a fact-finding hearing on the petition and, unless the court dismisses the petition, shall make written findings of fact, stating the reasons therefor((, and after it has announced its findings of fact shall hold a hearing to consider disposition of the case immediately following the fact-finding hearing or at a continued hearing within fourteen days or longer for good cause shown)). Immediately after the entry of the findings of fact, the court shall hold a disposition hearing, unless there is good cause for continuing the matter. If good cause is shown, the case may be continued. Notice of the time and place of the continued hearing may be given in open court. If notice in open court is not given to a party, that party shall be notified by certified mail of the time and place of any continued hearing. Unless there is reasonable cause to believe the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or efforts to reunite the parent and child would be hindered, the court shall direct the department to notify those adult persons who: (1) Are related by blood or marriage to the child in the following degrees: Parent, grandparent, brother, sister, stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, or aunt; (2) are known to the department as having been in contact with the family or child within the past twelve months; and (3) would be an appropriate placement for the child. Reasonable cause to dispense with notification to a parent under this section must be proved by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence.

The parties need not appear at the fact-finding or dispositional hearing if the parties, their attorneys, the guardian ad litem, and court-appointed special advocates, if any, are all in agreement. The court shall receive and review a social study before entering an order based on agreement. No social file or social study may be considered by the court in connection with the fact-finding hearing or prior to factual determination, except as otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence. ((Notice of the time and place of the continued hearing may be given in open court. If notice in open court is not given to a party, that party shall be notified by mail of the time and place of any continued hearing.

All hearings may be conducted at any time or place within the limits of the county, and such cases may not be heard in conjunction with other business of any other division of the superior court. The general public shall be excluded, and only such persons may be admitted who are found by the judge to have a direct interest in the case or in the work of the court. Unless the court states on the record the reasons to disallow attendance, the court shall allow a child's relatives and, if a child resides in foster care, the child's foster parent, to attend all hearings and proceedings pertaining to the child for the sole purpose of providing oral and written information about the child and the child's welfare to the court.

~~Stenographic notes or any device which accurately records the proceedings may be required as provided in other civil cases pursuant to RCW 2.32.200.~~))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

All hearings may be conducted at any time or place within the limits of the county, and such cases may not be heard in conjunction with other business of any other division of the superior court. The public shall be excluded, and only such persons may be admitted who are found by the judge to have a direct interest in the case or in the work of the court. Unless the court states on the record the reasons to disallow attendance, the court shall allow a child's relatives and, if a child resides in foster care, the child's foster parent, to attend all hearings and proceedings pertaining to the child for the sole purpose of providing oral and written information about the child and the child's welfare to the court.

Stenographic notes or any device which accurately records the proceedings may be required as provided in other civil cases pursuant to RCW 2.32.200.

Sec. 13. RCW 13.34.120 and 1998 c 328 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~(1)~~)) To aid the court in its decision on disposition, a social study((~~, consisting of a written evaluation of matters relevant to the disposition of the case,~~)) shall be made by the person or agency filing the petition. A parent may submit a counselor's or health care provider's evaluation of the parent, which shall either be included in the social study or considered in conjunction with the social study. The study shall include all social ((~~records~~)) files and may also include facts relating to the child's cultural heritage, and shall be made available to the court. The court shall consider the social file, social study, guardian ad litem report, the court-appointed special advocate's report, if any, and any reports filed by a party at the disposition hearing in addition to evidence produced at the fact-finding hearing. At least ten working days before the disposition hearing, the department shall mail to the parent and his or her attorney a copy of the agency's social study and proposed service plan, which shall be in writing or in a form understandable to the parents or custodians. In addition, the department shall provide an opportunity for parents to review and comment on the plan at the ((~~community service~~)) local office closest to the parents' residence. If the parents disagree with the agency's plan or any part thereof, the parents shall submit to the court at least twenty-four hours before the hearing, in writing, or signed oral statement, an alternative plan to correct the problems which led to the finding of dependency. This section shall not interfere with the right of the parents or custodians to submit oral arguments regarding the disposition plan at the hearing.

(((2) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this section, a predisposition study to the court in cases of dependency alleged pursuant to RCW 13.34.030(4) (b) or (c) shall contain the following information:

~~(a) A statement of the specific harm or harms to the child that intervention is designed to alleviate;~~

(c) If removal is recommended, a full description of the reasons why the child cannot be protected adequately in the home, including a description of any previous efforts to work with the parents and the child in the home; the in-home treatment programs which have been considered and rejected; the preventive services that 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 the parents' attitude toward placement of the child;

(d) A statement of the likely harms the child will suffer as a result of removal. This section should include an exploration of the nature of the parent-child attachment and the meaning of separation and loss to both the parents and the child;

~~(e) A description of the steps that will be taken to minimize harm to the child that may result if separation occurs; and~~

~~(f) Behavior that will be expected before determination that supervision of the family or placement is no longer necessary.~~))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

If the most recent date that a child was removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian for purposes of placement in out-of-home care occurred prior to the filing of a dependency petition or after filing but prior to entry of a disposition order, such time periods shall be included when calculating the length of the child's current placement episode.

Sec. 15. RCW 13.34.130 and 1999 c 267 s 16, 1999 c 267 s 9, and 1999 c 173 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 ((~~predisposition report~~)) 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 ((~~selecting a program~~)) determining the disposition, the court should choose those services, including housing assistance, that least interfere with family autonomy((~~, provided that the services~~)) and are adequate to protect the child.

(b) Order ((~~that~~)) the child to be removed from his or her home and ((~~ordered~~)) into the custody, control, and care of a relative or the department ((~~of social and health services~~)) or a licensed child placing agency for placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. 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, such child shall be placed with a person who is: (i) Related to the child as defined in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a) ((~~and~~)) with whom the child has a relationship and is comfortable((,)); and ((~~who is~~)) (ii) willing and available to care for the child.

(2) Placement of the child with a relative under this subsection 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 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:

((~~(i)~~)) (a) There is no parent or guardian available to care for such child;

((~~(ii)~~)) (b) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not willing to take custody of the child; or

((~~(iii)~~)) (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((~~; or~~

(iv) The extent of the child's disability is such that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian is unable to provide the necessary care for the child and the parent, guardian, or legal custodian has determined that the child would benefit from placement outside of the home)).

((~~(2)~~)) (3) 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 ((court finds: (a) Termination is recommended by the supervising agency; (b) termination is in the best interests of the child; and (c) that because of the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts to unify the family are not required. Notwithstanding the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts may be required if the court or department determines it is in the best interest of the child. In determining whether aggravated circumstances exist by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, the court shall consider one or more of the following:

~~(i) Conviction of the parent of rape of the child in the first, second, or third degree as defined in RCW 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, and 9A.44.079;~~

~~(ii) Conviction of the parent of criminal mistreatment of the child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.42.020 and 9A.42.030;~~

(iii) Conviction of the parent of one of the following assault crimes, when the child is the victim: Assault in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.011 and 9A.36.021 or assault of a child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.120 or 9A.36.130;

~~(iv) Conviction of the parent of murder, manslaughter, or homicide by abuse of the child's other parent, sibling, or another child;~~

~~(v) Conviction of the parent of attempting, soliciting, or conspiracy to commit a crime listed in (c)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this subsection;~~

~~(vi) A finding by a court that a parent is a sexually violent predator as defined in RCW 71.09.020;~~

(vii) Failure of the parent to complete available treatment ordered under this chapter or the equivalent laws of another state, where such failure has resulted in a prior termination of parental rights to another child and the parent has failed to effect significant change in the interim. In the case of a parent of an Indian child, as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, P.L. 95-608 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903), the court shall also consider tribal efforts to assist the parent in completing treatment and make it possible for the child to return home;

~~(viii) An infant under three years of age has been abandoned as defined in RCW 13.34.030(4)(a);~~

~~(ix) The mother has given birth to three or more drug-affected infants, resulting in the department filing a petition under section 23, chapter 314, Laws of 1998;~~

~~(x) Conviction of the parent of a sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW or incest under RCW 9A.64.020 when the child is born of the offense.~~

(3) If reasonable efforts are not ordered under subsection (2) of this section a permanency planning hearing shall be held within thirty days. Reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

~~(4) Whenever a child is ordered removed from the child's home, the agency charged with his or her care shall provide the court with:~~

(a) A permanency plan of care that shall identify one of the following outcomes as a primary goal and may identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; permanent legal custody; long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; and independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older; or a responsible living skills program. Whenever a permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Before the court approves independent living as a permanency plan of care, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial affairs and to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.

(b) Unless the court has ordered, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to return the child home, and what actions the agency will take to maintain parent-child ties. All aspects of the plan shall include the goal of achieving permanence for the child.

(i) The agency plan shall specify what services the parents will be offered in order to enable them to resume custody, what requirements the parents must meet in order to resume custody, and a time limit for each service plan and parental requirement.

(ii) The agency shall be required to encourage the maximum parent-child contact possible, including regular visitation and participation by the parents in the care of the child while the child is in placement. Visitation may be limited or denied only if the court determines that such limitation or denial is necessary to protect the child's health, safety, or welfare.

(iii) A child shall be placed as close to the child's home as possible, preferably in the child's own neighborhood, unless the court finds that placement at a greater distance is necessary to promote the child's or parents' well-being.

(iv) The agency charged with supervising a child in placement shall provide all reasonable services that are available within the agency, or within the community, or those services which the department of social and health services has existing contracts to purchase. It shall report to the court if it is unable to provide such services.

(c) If the court has ordered, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to achieve permanency for the child, services to be offered or provided to the child, and, if visitation would be in the best interests of the child, a recommendation to the court regarding visitation between parent and child pending a fact-finding hearing on the termination petition. The agency shall not be required to develop a plan of services for the parents or provide services to the parents.

(5) If the court determines that the continuation of reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from his or her home or to safely return the child home should not be part of the permanency plan of care for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

~~(6)~~)) requirements of section 16 of this act are met.

(4) 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, the child shall remain in foster care and the court shall direct the 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 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, pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon cooperation by the relative 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 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 home, subject to review by the court.

(((7) Except for children whose cases are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW, the status of all children found to be dependent shall be reviewed by the court at least every six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or the date dependency is established, whichever is first, at a hearing in which it shall be determined whether court supervision should continue. The review shall include findings regarding the agency and parental completion of disposition plan requirements, and if necessary, revised permanency time limits. The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative with notice of, and their right to an opportunity to be heard in, a review hearing pertaining to the child, but only if that person is currently providing care to that child at the time of the hearing. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person who has been provided an opportunity to be heard.

(a) A child shall not be returned home at the review hearing unless the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in this section no longer exists. The parents, guardian, or legal custodian shall report to the court the efforts they have made to correct the conditions which led to removal. If a child is returned, casework supervision shall continue for a period of six months, at which time there shall be a hearing on the need for continued intervention.

~~(b) If the child is not returned home, the court shall establish in writing:~~

~~(i) Whether reasonable services have been provided to or offered to the parties to facilitate reunion, specifying the services provided or offered;~~

(ii) Whether the child has been placed in the least-restrictive setting appropriate to the child's needs, including whether consideration and preference has been given to placement with the child's relatives;

~~(iii) Whether there is a continuing need for placement and whether the placement is appropriate;~~

~~(iv) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;~~

~~(v) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;~~

~~(vi) Whether the parents have visited the child and any reasons why visitation has not occurred or has been infrequent;~~

(vii) Whether additional services, including housing assistance, are needed to facilitate the return of the child to the child's parents; if so, the court shall order that reasonable services be offered specifying such services; and

~~(viii) The projected date by which the child will be returned home or other permanent plan of care will be implemented.~~

~~(c) The court at the review hearing may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed.~~

(8) The court's ability to order housing assistance under this section is: (a) Limited to cases in which homelessness or the lack of adequate and safe housing is the primary reason for an out-of-home placement; and (b) subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

A court may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed if the following requirements are met:

(1) The court has removed the child from his or her home pursuant to RCW 13.34.130;

(2) Termination is recommended by the supervising agency;

(3) Termination is in the best interests of the child; and

(4) Because of the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts to unify the family are not required. Notwithstanding the existence of aggravated circumstances, reasonable efforts may be required if the court or department determines it is in the best interests of the child. In determining whether aggravated circumstances exist by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, the court shall consider one or more of the following:

(a) Conviction of the parent of rape of the child in the first, second, or third degree as defined in RCW 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, and 9A.44.079;

(b) Conviction of the parent of criminal mistreatment of the child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.42.020 and 9A.42.030;

(c) Conviction of the parent of one of the following assault crimes, when the child is the victim: Assault in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.011 and 9A.36.021 or assault of a child in the first or second degree as defined in RCW 9A.36.120 or 9A.36.130;

(d) Conviction of the parent of murder, manslaughter, or homicide by abuse of the child's other parent, sibling, or another child;

(e) Conviction of the parent of attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit a crime listed in (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection;

(f) A finding by a court that a parent is a sexually violent predator as defined in RCW 71.09.020;

(g) Failure of the parent to complete available treatment ordered under this chapter or the equivalent laws of another state, where such failure has resulted in a prior termination of parental rights to another child and the parent has failed to effect significant change in the interim. In the case of a parent of an Indian child, as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act, P.L. 95-608 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903), the court shall also consider tribal efforts to assist the parent in completing treatment and make it possible for the child to return home;

(h) An infant under three years of age has been abandoned;

(i) Conviction of the parent, when a child has been born of the offense, of: (A) A sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW; or (B) incest under RCW 9A.64.020.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

If reasonable efforts are not ordered under section 16 of this act, a permanency planning hearing shall be held within thirty days of the court order to file a petition to terminate parental rights. Reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Whenever a child is ordered removed from the child's home, the agency charged with his or her care shall provide the court with:

(b) Unless the court has ordered, pursuant to RCW 13.34.130(3), that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to return the child home, and what actions the agency will take to maintain parent-child ties. All aspects of the plan shall include the goal of achieving permanence for the child.

(i) The agency plan shall specify what services the parents will be offered to enable them to resume custody, what requirements the parents must meet to resume custody, and a time limit for each service plan and parental requirement.

(ii) The agency shall encourage the maximum parent-child contact possible, including regular visitation and participation by the parents in the care of the child while the child is in placement. Visitation may be limited or denied only if the court determines that such limitation or denial is necessary to protect the child's health, safety, or welfare.

(iv) The agency charged with supervising a child in placement shall provide all reasonable services that are available within the agency, or within the community, or those services which the department has existing contracts to purchase. It shall report to the court if it is unable to provide such services; and

(c) If the court has ordered, pursuant to RCW 13.34.130(3), that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to achieve permanency for the child, services to be offered or provided to the child, and, if visitation would be in the best interests of the child, a recommendation to the court regarding visitation between parent and child pending a fact-finding hearing on the termination petition. The agency shall not be required to develop a plan of services for the parents or provide services to the parents if the court orders a termination petition be filed.

(2) If the court determines that the continuation of reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from his or her home or to safely return the child home should not be part of the permanency plan of care for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except for children whose cases are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW, the status of all children found to be dependent shall be reviewed by the court at least every six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or the date dependency is established, whichever is first, at a hearing in which it shall be determined whether court supervision should continue. The review shall include findings regarding the agency and parental completion of disposition plan requirements, and if necessary, revised permanency time limits. The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative with notice of, and their right to an opportunity to be heard in, a review hearing pertaining to the child, but only if that person is currently providing care to that child at the time of the hearing. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person who has been provided an opportunity to be heard.

(a) A child shall not be returned home at the review hearing unless the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exists. The parents, guardian, or legal custodian shall report to the court the efforts they have made to correct the conditions which led to removal. If a child is returned, casework supervision shall continue for a period of six months, at which time there shall be a hearing on the need for continued intervention.

(b) If the child is not returned home, the court shall establish in writing:

(i) Whether reasonable services have been provided to or offered to the parties to facilitate reunion, specifying the services provided or offered;

(iii) Whether there is a continuing need for placement and whether the placement is appropriate;

(iv) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;

(v) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;

(vi) Whether the parents have visited the child and any reasons why visitation has not occurred or has been infrequent;

(viii) The projected date by which the child will be returned home or other permanent plan of care will be implemented.

(c) The court at the review hearing may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed.

(2) The court's ability to order housing assistance under RCW 13.34.130 and this section is: (a) Limited to cases in which homelessness or the lack of adequate and safe housing is the primary reason for an out-of-home placement; and (b) subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose.

Sec. 20. RCW 13.34.145 and 1999 c 267 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A permanency plan shall be developed no later than sixty days from the time the supervising agency assumes responsibility for providing services, including placing the child, or at the time of a hearing under RCW 13.34.130, whichever occurs first. The permanency planning process continues until a permanency planning goal is achieved or dependency is dismissed. The planning process shall include reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent's home.

(a) Whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 13.34.130, the agency that has custody of the child shall provide the court with a written permanency plan of care directed towards securing a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child as soon as possible. The plan shall identify one of the following outcomes as the primary goal and may also identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; permanent legal custody; long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; a responsible living skills program; and independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older and the provisions of subsection (2) of this section are met.

(b) The identified outcomes and goals of the permanency plan may change over time based upon the circumstances of the particular case.

(c) Permanency planning goals should be achieved at the earliest possible date, preferably before the child has been in out-of-home care for fifteen months. In cases where parental rights have been terminated, the child is legally free for adoption, and adoption has been identified as the primary permanency planning goal, it shall be a goal to complete the adoption within six months following entry of the termination order.

(d) For purposes related to permanency planning:

(i) "Guardianship" means a dependency guardianship ((~~pursuant to this chapter~~)), a legal guardianship pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW, or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(ii) "Permanent custody order" means a custody order entered pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW.

(iii) "Permanent legal custody" means legal custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or of a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(2) Whenever a permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Before the court approves independent living as a permanency plan of care, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial ((~~affairs and to manage his or her~~)), personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.

(3) A permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least nine months and an adoption decree, guardianship order, or permanent custody order has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than twelve months following commencement of the current placement episode.

(4) Whenever a child is removed from the home of a dependency guardian or long-term relative or foster care provider, and the child is not returned to the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian but is placed in out-of-home care, a permanency planning hearing shall take place no later than twelve months, as provided in subsection (3) of this section, following the date of removal unless, prior to the hearing, the child returns to the home of the dependency guardian or long-term care provider, the child is placed in the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, an adoption decree, guardianship order, or a permanent custody order is entered, or the dependency is dismissed.

(5) No later than ten working days prior to the permanency planning hearing, the agency having custody of the child shall submit a written permanency plan to the court and shall mail a copy of the plan to all parties and their legal counsel, if any.

(6) At the permanency planning hearing, the court shall enter findings as required by ((~~RCW 13.34.130(7)~~)) section 19 of this act and shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency. If the child has resided in the home of a foster parent or relative for more than six months prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall also enter a finding regarding whether the foster parent or relative was informed of the hearing as required in RCW 74.13.280 and ((~~13.34.130(7)~~)) section 19 of this act. If a goal of long-term foster or relative care has been achieved prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remain appropriate. In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not ((~~yet~~)) been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal. In all cases, the court shall:

(a)(i) Order the permanency plan prepared by the agency to be implemented; or

(ii) Modify the permanency plan, and order implementation of the modified plan; and

(b)(i) Order the child returned home only if the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exists; or

(ii) Order the child to remain in out-of-home care for a limited specified time period while efforts are made to implement the permanency plan.

(7) If the court orders the child returned home, casework supervision shall continue for at least six months, at which time a review hearing shall be held pursuant to ((~~RCW 13.34.130(7)~~)) section 19 of this act, and the court shall determine the need for continued intervention.

(8) Continued juvenile court jurisdiction under this chapter shall not be a barrier to the entry of an order establishing a legal guardianship or permanent legal custody when((,)): (a) The court has ordered implementation of a permanency plan that includes legal guardianship or permanent legal custody((,)); and (b) the party pursuing the legal guardianship or permanent legal custody is the party identified in the permanency plan as the prospective legal guardian or custodian. During the pendency of such proceeding, ((~~juvenile~~)) the court shall conduct review hearings and further permanency planning hearings as provided in this chapter. At the conclusion of the legal guardianship or permanent legal custody proceeding, a juvenile court hearing shall be held for the purpose of determining whether dependency should be dismissed. If a guardianship or permanent custody order has been entered, the dependency shall be dismissed.

(9) Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs first.

(10) Except as ((~~otherwise~~)) provided in RCW 13.34.235, the status of all dependent children shall continue to be reviewed by the court at least once every six months, in accordance with ((~~RCW 13.34.130(7)~~)) section 19 of this act, until the dependency is dismissed. Prior to the second permanency planning hearing, the agency that has custody of the child shall consider whether to file a petition for termination of parental rights.

(11) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the ability of the agency that has custody of the child to file a petition for termination of parental rights or a guardianship petition at any time following the establishment of dependency. Upon the filing of such a petition, a fact-finding hearing shall be scheduled and held in accordance with this chapter unless the agency requests dismissal of the petition prior to the hearing or unless the parties enter an agreed order terminating parental rights, establishing guardianship, or otherwise resolving the matter.

(12) The approval of a permanency plan that does not contemplate return of the child to the parent does not relieve the supervising agency of its obligation to provide reasonable services, under this chapter, intended to effectuate the return of the child to the parent, including but not limited to, visitation rights.

(13) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the procedural due process rights of any party in a termination or guardianship proceeding filed under this chapter.

Sec. 21. RCW 13.34.165 and 1998 c 296 s 38 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.21.030(2)(e).

(2) The maximum term of ((~~imprisonment~~)) confinement that may be imposed as a remedial sanction for contempt of court under this section is confinement for up to seven days.

(3) A child ((~~imprisoned~~)) held for contempt under this section shall be confined only in a secure juvenile detention facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with a county.

(4) A motion for contempt may be made by a parent, juvenile court personnel, or by any public agency, organization, or person having custody of the child under a court order entered pursuant to this chapter.

(5) Whenever the court finds probable cause to believe, based upon consideration of a motion for contempt and the information set forth in a supporting declaration, that a child has violated a placement order entered under this chapter, the court may issue an order directing law enforcement to pick up and take the child to detention. The order may be entered ex parte without prior notice to the child or other parties. Following the child's admission to detention, a detention review hearing must be held in accordance with RCW 13.32A.065.

Sec. 22. RCW 13.34.170 and 1981 c 195 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

In any case in which ((~~an order or decree of~~)) the ((~~juvenile~~)) court ((~~requiring~~)) has ordered a parent or parents, guardian, or other person having custody of a child to pay ((~~for shelter care and/or~~)) support ((~~of such child is~~)) under RCW 13.34.160 and the order has not been complied with, the court may, upon such person or persons being duly summoned or voluntarily appearing, proceed to inquire into the amount due upon ((~~said~~)) the order ((~~or decree~~)) and enter judgment for ((~~such~~)) that amount against the defaulting party or parties, and ((~~such~~)) the judgment shall be docketed as are other judgments for the payment of money.

In such judgments, the county in which the ((~~same are~~)) order is entered shall be ((~~denominated~~)) the judgment creditor, or the state may be the judgment creditor where the child is in the custody of a state agency ((~~and said~~)). Judgments may be enforced by the prosecuting attorney of ((~~such~~)) the county, or the attorney general where the state is the judgment creditor and any moneys recovered ((~~thereon~~)) shall be paid into the registry of the juvenile court and shall be disbursed to such person, persons, agency, or governmental department as the court ((~~shall find to be~~)) finds is entitled ((~~thereto~~)) to it.

Such judgments shall remain ((as)) valid and enforceable ((~~judgments~~)) for a period of ten years ((~~subsequent to the~~)) after the date of entry ((~~thereof~~)).

Sec. 23. RCW 13.34.174 and 1993 c 412 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply when a court orders a party to undergo an alcohol or substance abuse diagnostic investigation and evaluation.

(2) The facility conducting the investigation and evaluation shall make a written report to the court stating its findings and recommendations including family-based services or treatment when appropriate. If its findings and recommendations support treatment, it shall also recommend a treatment plan setting out:

(a) Type of treatment;

(b) Nature of treatment;

(d) A treatment time schedule; and

(e) Approximate cost of the treatment.

The affected person shall be included in developing the appropriate ((~~plan of~~)) treatment plan. The ((~~plan of~~)) treatment plan must be signed by ((~~[the]~~)) the treatment provider and the affected person. The initial written progress report based on the treatment plan ((~~and response to treatment~~)) shall be sent to the appropriate persons six weeks after initiation of treatment((~~, and~~)). Subsequent progress reports shall be provided after three months, ((~~after~~)) six months, ((~~after~~)) twelve months, and thereafter every six months if treatment exceeds twelve months. Reports are to be filed with the court in a timely manner. Close-out of the treatment record must include summary of pretreatment and posttreatment, with final outcome and disposition. The report shall also include recommendations for ongoing stability and decrease in destructive behavior.

((~~The~~)) Each report ((~~with the treatment plan~~)) shall also be filed with the court and a copy given to the person evaluated and the person's counsel. A copy of the treatment plan shall also be given to the department's caseworker and to the guardian ad litem. Any program for chemical dependency shall meet the program requirements contained in chapter 70.96A RCW.

(3) If the court has ordered treatment pursuant to a dependency proceeding it shall also require the treatment program to provide, in the reports required by subsection (2) of this section, status reports to the court, the department, the supervising child-placing agency if any, and the person or person's counsel regarding((~~: (a)~~)) the person's cooperation with the treatment plan proposed((;)) and ((~~(b)~~)) the person's progress in treatment.

(4) ((~~In addition,~~)) If ((~~the party~~)) a person subject to this section fails or neglects to carry out and fulfill any term or condition of the treatment plan, the program or agency administering the treatment shall report such breach to the court, the department, the guardian ad litem, the supervising child-placing agency if any, and the person or person's counsel, within twenty-four hours, together with its recommendation. These reports shall be made as a declaration by the person who is personally responsible for providing the treatment.

(5) Nothing in this chapter may be construed as allowing the court to require the department to pay for the cost of any alcohol or substance abuse evaluation or treatment program.

Sec. 24. RCW 13.34.176 and 1993 c 412 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The court ((~~or the department~~)), upon receiving a report under RCW 13.34.174(4) or at the department's request, may schedule a show cause hearing to determine whether the person is in violation of the treatment conditions. All parties shall be given notice of the hearing. The court shall hold the hearing within ten days of the request for a hearing. At the hearing, testimony, declarations, reports, or other relevant information may be presented on the person's alleged failure to comply with the treatment plan and the person shall have the right to present similar information on his or her own behalf.

(2) If the court finds that there has been a violation of the treatment conditions it shall modify the dependency order, as necessary, to ensure the safety of the child. The modified order shall remain in effect until the party is in full compliance with the treatment requirements.

Sec. 25. RCW 13.34.180 and 1998 c 314 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A petition seeking termination of a parent and child relationship may be filed in juvenile court by any party to the dependency proceedings concerning that child. Such petition shall conform to the requirements of RCW 13.34.040, shall be served upon the parties as provided in RCW 13.34.070(8), and shall allege all of the following unless subsection (2) or (3) of this section applies:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) That the child has been found to be a dependent child ((~~under RCW 13.34.030(4)~~)); ((~~and~~

~~(2)~~)) (b) That the court has entered a dispositional order pursuant to RCW 13.34.130; ((~~and~~

~~(3)~~)) (c) That the child has been removed or will, at the time of the hearing, have been removed from the custody of the parent for a period of at least six months pursuant to a finding of dependency ((~~under RCW 13.34.030(4)~~)); ((~~and~~

~~(4)~~)) (d) That the services ordered under ((~~RCW 13.34.130~~)) section 18 of this act have been expressly and understandably offered or provided and all necessary services, reasonably available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been expressly and understandably offered or provided; ((~~and~~

~~(5)~~)) (e) That there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future. A parent's failure to substantially improve parental deficiencies within twelve months following entry of the dispositional order shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that there is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future. The presumption shall not arise unless the petitioner makes a showing that all necessary services reasonably capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been clearly offered or provided. In determining whether the conditions will be remedied the court may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) Use of intoxicating or controlled substances so as to render the parent incapable of providing proper care for the child for extended periods of time and documented unwillingness of the parent to receive and complete treatment or documented multiple failed treatment attempts; or

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) Psychological incapacity or mental deficiency of the parent that is so severe and chronic as to render the parent incapable of providing proper care for the child for extended periods of time, and documented unwillingness of the parent to receive and complete treatment or documentation that there is no treatment that can render the parent capable of providing proper care for the child in the near future; and

((~~(6)~~)) (f) That continuation of the parent and child relationship clearly diminishes the child's prospects for early integration into a stable and permanent home((~~; or~~)).

((~~(7)~~)) (2) In lieu of the allegations in subsection((s)) (1) ((~~through (6)~~)) of this section, the petition may allege that the child was found under such circumstances that the whereabouts of the child's parent are unknown and no person has acknowledged paternity or maternity and requested custody of the child within two months after the child was found((~~; or~~)).

((~~(8)~~)) (3) In lieu of the allegations in subsection((~~s (2) through (6)~~)) (1)(b) through (f) of this section, the petition may allege that the parent has been ((~~found by a court of competent jurisdiction~~)) convicted of:

(a) ((~~To have committed, against another child of such parent,~~)) Murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, or homicide by abuse as defined in chapter 9A.32 RCW against another child of the parent;

(b) ((~~To have committed, against another child of such parent,~~)) Manslaughter in the first degree or manslaughter in the second degree, as defined in chapter 9A.32 RCW against another child of the parent;

(c) ((~~To have attempted, conspired, or solicited~~)) Attempting, conspiring, or soliciting another to commit one or more of the crimes listed in (a) or (b) of this subsection; or

(d) ((~~To have committed~~)) Assault in the first or second degree, as defined in chapter 9A.36 RCW, against the surviving child or another child of the parent.

(4) Notice of rights shall be served upon the parent, guardian, or legal custodian with the petition and shall be in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE

A petition for termination of parental rights has been filed against you. You have important legal rights and you must take steps to protect your interests. This petition could result in permanent loss of your parental rights.

1. You have the right to a fact-finding hearing before a judge.

2. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. A lawyer can look at the files in your case, talk to the department of social and health services and other agencies, tell you about the law, help you understand your rights, and help you at hearings. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one to represent you. To get a court-appointed lawyer you must contact: (explain local procedure) .

3. At the hearing, you have the right to speak on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, to examine witnesses, and to receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented to the judge.

You should be present at this hearing.

You may call (insert agency) for more information about your child. The agency's name and telephone number are (insert name and telephone number) ."

Sec. 26. RCW 13.34.190 and 1998 c 314 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

After hearings pursuant to RCW 13.34.110 or 13.34.130, the court may enter an order terminating all parental rights to a child only if the court finds that:

(1)(a) The allegations contained in the petition as provided in RCW 13.34.180(1) ((~~through (6)~~)) are established by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence; or

(b) ((~~RCW 13.34.180 (3) and (4) may be waived because the allegations under~~)) The provisions of RCW 13.34.180 (1)((~~, (2), (5), and (6)~~)) (a), (b), (e), and (f) are established beyond a reasonable doubt and if so, then RCW 13.34.180(1) (c) and (d) may be waived. When an infant has been abandoned, as defined in RCW 13.34.030, and the abandonment has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then RCW 13.34.180(1) (c) and (d) may be waived; or

(c) The allegation under RCW 13.34.180((~~(7)~~)) (2) is established beyond a reasonable doubt. In determining whether RCW 13.34.180 ((~~(5) and (6)~~)) (1) (e) and (f) are established beyond a reasonable doubt, the court shall consider whether one or more of the aggravated circumstances listed in ((~~RCW 13.34.130(2)~~)) section 16 of this act exist; or

(d) The allegation under RCW 13.34.180((~~(8)~~)) (3) is established beyond a reasonable doubt; and

(2) Such an order is in the best interests of the child.

Sec. 27. RCW 13.34.200 and 1977 ex.s. c 291 s 48 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon the termination of parental rights pursuant to RCW 13.34.180, all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations, including any rights to custody, control, visitation, or support existing between the child and parent shall be severed and terminated and the parent shall have no standing to appear at any further legal proceedings concerning the child: PROVIDED, That any support obligation existing prior to the effective date of the order terminating parental rights shall not be severed or terminated. The rights of one parent may be terminated without affecting the rights of the other parent and the order shall so state.

(2) An order terminating the parent and child relationship shall not disentitle a child to any benefit due the child from any third person, agency, state, or the United States, nor shall any action under this chapter be deemed to affect any rights and benefits that ((~~a native American~~)) an Indian child derives from the child's descent from a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Sec. 28. RCW 13.34.210 and 1991 c 127 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

If, upon entering an order terminating the parental rights of a parent, there remains no parent having parental rights, the court shall commit the child to the custody of the department ((~~of social and health services~~)) or to a licensed child-placing agency willing to accept custody for the purpose of placing the child for adoption((~~, or in the absence thereof~~)). If an adoptive home has not been identified, the department or agency shall place the child in a licensed foster home, or take other suitable measures for the care and welfare of the child. The custodian shall have authority to consent to the adoption of the child consistent with chapter 26.33 RCW, the marriage of the child, the enlistment of the child in the armed forces of the United States, necessary surgical and other medical treatment for the child, and to consent to such other matters as might normally be required of the parent of the child.

If a child has not been adopted within six months after the date of the order and a ((~~general guardian~~)) guardianship of the child under RCW 13.34.231 or chapter 11.88 RCW, or a permanent custody order under chapter 26.10 RCW, has not been ((~~appointed~~)) entered by the court, ((the child shall be returned to the court for entry of further orders for his or her care, custody, and control, and, except for children whose cases are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW,)) the court shall review the case every six months ((~~thereafter~~)) until a decree of adoption is entered except for those cases which are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW.

Sec. 29. RCW 13.34.231 and 1994 c 288 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

At the hearing on a dependency guardianship petition, all parties have the right to present evidence and cross examine witnesses. The rules of evidence apply to the conduct of the hearing. A guardianship shall be established if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(1) The child has been found to be a dependent child under RCW 13.34.030;

(2) A dispositional order has been entered pursuant to RCW 13.34.130;

(3) The child has been removed or will, at the time of the hearing, have been removed from the custody of the parent for a period of at least six months pursuant to a finding of dependency under RCW 13.34.030;

(4) The services ordered under RCW 13.34.130 and section 18 of this act have been offered or provided and all necessary services, reasonably available, capable of correcting the parental deficiencies within the foreseeable future have been offered or provided;

(5) There is little likelihood that conditions will be remedied so that the child can be returned to the parent in the near future; and

(6) A guardianship, rather than termination of the parent-child relationship or continuation of efforts to return the child to the custody of the parent, would be in the best interest of the child.

Sec. 30. RCW 13.34.233 and 1995 c 311 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any party may request the court under RCW 13.34.150 to modify or terminate a dependency guardianship order ((~~under RCW 13.34.150~~)). Notice of any motion to modify or terminate the guardianship shall be served on all other parties, including any agency that was responsible for supervising the child's placement at the time the guardianship petition was filed. Notice ((~~shall~~)) in all cases shall be served upon the department ((~~of social and health services~~)). If the department was not previously a party to the guardianship proceeding, the department shall nevertheless have the right to: (a) Initiate a proceeding to modify or terminate a guardianship; and ((~~the right to~~)) (b) intervene at any stage of such a proceeding.

(2) The guardianship may be modified or terminated upon the motion of any party or the department if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there has been a substantial change of circumstances subsequent to the establishment of the guardianship and that it is in the child's best interest to modify or terminate the guardianship. The court shall hold a hearing on the motion before modifying or terminating a guardianship.

(3) Upon entry of an order terminating the guardianship, the dependency guardian shall not have any rights or responsibilities with respect to the child and shall not have legal standing to participate as a party in further dependency proceedings pertaining to the child. The court may allow the child's dependency guardian to attend dependency review proceedings pertaining to the child for the sole purpose of providing information about the child to the court.

(4) Upon entry of an order terminating the guardianship, the child shall remain dependent and the court shall either return the child to the child's parent or order the child into the custody, control, and care of the department ((~~of social and health services~~)) or a licensed child-placing agency for placement in a foster home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or in a home not required to be licensed pursuant to such chapter. The court shall not place a child in the custody of the child's parent unless the court finds that ((a)) reasons for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exist((s)) and that such placement is in the child's best interest. The court shall thereafter conduct reviews as provided in ((~~RCW 13.34.130(5)~~)) section 19 of this act and, where applicable, shall hold a permanency planning hearing in accordance with RCW 13.34.145.

Sec. 31. RCW 13.34.235 and 1981 c 195 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

A dependency guardianship ((~~established under RCW 13.34.231 and 13.34.232~~)) is not subject to the review hearing requirements of ((~~RCW 13.34.130~~)) section 19 of this act unless ordered by the court under RCW 13.34.232(1)(e).

Sec. 32. RCW 13.34.260 and 1990 c 284 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

In an attempt to minimize the inherent intrusion in the lives of families involved in the foster care system and to maintain parental authority where appropriate, the department, absent good cause, shall follow the wishes of the natural parent regarding the placement of the child. Preferences such as family constellation, ethnicity, and religion shall be ((~~given consideration~~)) considered when matching children to foster homes. Parental authority is appropriate in areas that are not connected with the abuse or neglect that resulted in the dependency and ((~~should~~)) shall be integrated through the foster care team. For purposes of this section, "foster care team" means the foster parent currently providing care, the currently assigned caseworker, and the parent or parents.

Sec. 33. RCW 13.34.270 and 1998 c 229 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Whenever the department ((~~of social and health services~~)) places a ((~~developmentally disabled~~)) child with a developmental disability in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 74.13.350, the department shall obtain a judicial determination within one hundred eighty days of the placement that continued placement is in the best interests of the child. If the child's out-of-home placement ends before one hundred eighty days have elapsed, no judicial determination is required.

(2) To obtain the judicial determination, the department shall file a petition alleging that there is located or residing within the county a child who has a developmental disability((~~, as defined in RCW 71A.10.020,~~)) and that the child has been placed in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 74.13.350. The petition shall request that the court review the child's placement, make a determination ((~~that~~)) whether continued placement is in the best interests of the child, and take other necessary action as provided in this section. The petition shall contain the name, date of birth, and residence of the child and the names and residences of the child's parent or legal guardian who has agreed to the child's placement in out-of-home care. Reasonable attempts shall be made by the department to ascertain and set forth in the petition the identity, location, and custodial status of any parent who is not a party to the placement agreement and why that parent cannot assume custody of the child.

(3) Upon filing of the petition, the clerk of the court shall schedule the petition for a hearing to be held no later than fourteen calendar days after the petition has been filed. The department shall provide notification of the time, date, and purpose of the hearing to the parent or legal guardian who has agreed to the child's placement in out-of-home care. The department shall also make reasonable attempts to notify any parent who is not a party to the placement agreement, if the parent's identity and location is known. Notification under this section may be given by the most expedient means, including but not limited to, mail, personal service, and telephone((~~, and telegraph~~)).

(4) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child as provided in RCW 13.34.100, unless the court for good cause finds the appointment unnecessary.

(5) Permanency planning hearings shall be held as provided in this ((~~subsection~~)) section. At the hearing, the court shall review whether the child's best interests are served by continued out-of-home placement and determine the future legal status of the child.

(a) For children age ten and under, a permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least nine months and an adoption decree or guardianship order under chapter 11.88 RCW has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than twelve months following commencement of the child's current placement episode.

(b) For children over age ten, a permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least fifteen months and an adoption decree or guardianship order under chapter 11.88 RCW has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than eighteen months following commencement of the current placement episode.

(c) No later than ten working days before the permanency planning hearing, the department shall submit a written permanency plan to the court and shall mail a copy of the plan to all parties. The plan shall be directed toward securing a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child as soon as possible. The plan shall identify one of the following outcomes as the primary goal and may also identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent or legal guardian; adoption; guardianship; or long-term out-of-home care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the child's care provider.

(d) If a goal of long-term out-of-home care has been achieved before the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remains appropriate. In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal.

(e) Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the voluntary placement agreement is terminated.

(6) Any party to the voluntary placement agreement may terminate the agreement at any time. Upon termination of the agreement, the child shall be returned to the care of the child's parent or legal guardian, unless the child has been taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050, placed in shelter care pursuant to RCW 13.34.060, or placed in foster care pursuant to RCW 13.34.130. The department shall notify the court upon termination of the voluntary placement agreement and return of the child to the care of the child's parent or legal guardian. Whenever a voluntary placement agreement is terminated, an action under this section shall be dismissed.

(7) This section does not prevent the department from filing a dependency petition if there is reason to believe that the child is a dependent child as defined in RCW 13.34.030. An action filed under this section shall be dismissed upon the filing of a dependency petition regarding a child who is the subject of the action under this section.

Sec. 34. RCW 13.34.300 and 1979 ex.s. c 201 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that it is the responsibility of the custodial parent, parents or guardian to ensure that children within the custody of such individuals attend school as provided for by law. To this end, while a parent's failure to cause a juvenile to attend school should not alone provide a basis for a neglect petition against the parent or guardian, when a neglect petition is filed on the basis of other evidence, a parent or guardian's failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that the juvenile attends school may be ((~~used as evidence with respect~~)) relevant to the question of the appropriate disposition of a neglect petition.

Sec. 35. RCW 13.34.340 and 1999 c 188 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

For minors who cannot consent to the release of their records with the department because they are not old enough to consent to treatment, or, if old enough, lack the capacity to consent, or if the minor is receiving treatment involuntarily with a provider the department has authorized to provide mental health treatment under RCW 13.34.320, the department shall disclose, upon the treating physician's request, all relevant records, including the minor's passport as established under RCW 74.13.285, in the department's possession that the treating physician determines contain information required for treatment of the minor. The treating physician shall maintain all records received from the department in a manner that distinguishes the records from any other records in the minor's file with the treating physician and the department records may not be disclosed by the treating physician to any other person or entity absent a court order except that, for medical purposes only, a treating physician may disclose the department records to another treating physician.

Sec. 36. RCW 13.70.003 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 17 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature recognizes the importance of permanency and continuity to children and of fairness to parents in the provision of child welfare services.

The legislature intends to create a citizen review board system that will function in an advisory capacity to the judiciary, the department, and the legislature. The purpose of the citizen review board system is to:

(1) Provide periodic review of cases involving substitute care of children in a manner that complies with case review requirements and time lines imposed by federal laws pertaining to child welfare services;

(2) Improve the quality of case review provided to children in substitute care and their families; and

(3) Provide a means for community involvement in monitoring cases of children in substitute care.

In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes, the citizen review board system shall not be subject to the procedures and standards usually applicable to judicial and administrative hearings, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter and ((~~RCW 13.34.130~~)) section 19 of this act, 13.34.145, and 26.44.115. Nothing in this chapter and ((~~RCW 13.34.130~~)) section 19 of this act, 13.34.145, and 26.44.115 shall limit the ability of the department to utilize court review hearings and administrative reviews to meet the periodic review requirements imposed by federal law.

Sec. 37. RCW 13.70.110 and 1991 c 127 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) This section shall apply to cases where a child has been placed in substitute care pursuant to a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW.

(2) Within forty-five days following commencement of the placement episode, the court shall assign the child's case to a board and forward to the board a copy of the dependency petition and any shelter care or dependency disposition orders which have been entered in the case by the court.

(3) The board shall review the case plan for each child whose case is assigned to the board by the court. The review shall take place at times set by the board. The first review shall occur within ninety days following commencement of the placement episode. The second review shall occur within six months following commencement of the placement episode. The next review shall occur within one year after commencement of the placement episode. Within eighteen months following commencement of the placement episode, a permanency planning hearing shall be held before the court in accordance with RCW 13.34.145. Thereafter, the court shall assign the child's case for a board review or a court review hearing pursuant to ((~~RCW 13.34.130(5)~~)) section 17 of this act. A board review or a court review hearing shall take place at least once every six months until the child is no longer within the jurisdiction of the court or no longer in substitute care or until a guardianship order or adoption decree is entered. After the permanency planning hearing, a court review hearing must occur at least once a year as provided in ((~~RCW 13.34.130~~)) section 19 of this act. The board shall review any case where a petition to terminate parental rights has been denied, and such review shall occur as soon as practical but no later than forty-five days after the denial.

(4) The board shall prepare written findings and recommendations with respect to:

(a) Whether reasonable efforts were made before the placement to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the home, including whether consideration was given to removing the alleged offender, rather than the child, from the home;

(b) Whether reasonable efforts have been made subsequent to the placement to make it possible for the child to be returned home;

(c) Whether the child has been placed in the least-restrictive setting appropriate to the child's needs, including whether consideration has been given to placement with the child's relatives;

(d) Whether there is a continuing need for placement and whether the placement is appropriate;

(e) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan;

(f) Whether progress has been made toward alleviating the need for placement;

(g) A likely date by which the child may be returned home or other permanent plan of care may be implemented; and

(h) Other problems, solutions, or alternatives the board determines should be explored.

(5) Within ten working days following the review, the board shall send a copy of its findings and recommendations to the parents and their attorneys, the child's custodians and their attorneys, mature children and their attorneys, other attorneys or guardians ad litem appointed by the court to represent children, the department and other child placement agencies directly responsible for supervising the child's placement, and any prosecuting attorney or attorney general actively involved in the case. If the child is an Indian as defined in the Indian child welfare act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq., a copy of the board's findings and recommendations shall also be sent to the child's Indian tribe.

(6) If the department is unable or unwilling to implement the board recommendations, the department shall submit to the board, within ten working days after receipt of the findings and recommendations, an implementation report setting forth the reasons why the department is unable or unwilling to implement the board's recommendations. The report will also set forth the case plan which the department intends to implement.

(7) Within forty-five days following the review, the board shall either:

(a) Schedule the case for further review by the board; or

(b) Submit to the court the board's findings and recommendations and the department's implementation reports, if any. If the board's recommendations are different from the existing court-ordered case plan, the board shall also file with the court a motion for a review hearing.

(8) Within ten days of receipt of the board's written findings and recommendations and the department's implementation report, if any, the court shall review the findings and recommendations and implementation reports, if any. The court may on its own motion schedule a review hearing.

(9) Unless modified by subsequent court order, the court-ordered case plan and court orders that are in effect at the time that a board reviews a case shall remain in full force and effect. Board findings and recommendations are advisory only and do not in any way modify existing court orders or court-ordered case plans.

(10) The findings and recommendations of the board and the department's implementation report, if any, shall become part of the department's case file and the court social file pertaining to the child.

(11) Nothing in this section shall limit or otherwise modify the rights of any party to a dependency proceeding to request and receive a court review hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 13.34 RCW or applicable court rules.

Sec. 38. RCW 13.70.140 and 1993 c 505 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

A permanency planning hearing shall be held before the court in accordance with RCW 13.34.145. Thereafter, court review hearings shall occur at least once every six months, under ((~~RCW 13.34.130(5)~~)) section 19 of this act, until the child is no longer within the jurisdiction of the court or the child returns home or a guardianship order or adoption decree is entered. The court may review the case more frequently upon the court's own motion or upon the request of any party to the proceeding.

Sec. 39. RCW 26.44.115 and 1990 c 246 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

If a child is taken into custody by child protective services pursuant to a court order issued under ((~~RCW 13.34.050~~)) section 5 of this act, the child protective services worker shall take reasonable steps to advise the parents immediately, regardless of the time of day, that the child has been taken into custody, the reasons why the child was taken into custody, and general information about the child's placement. The department shall comply with RCW 13.34.060 when providing notice under this section.

Sec. 40. RCW 74.15.030 and 1997 c 386 s 33 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary shall have the power and it shall be the secretary's duty:

(1) In consultation with the children's services advisory committee, and with the advice and assistance of persons representative of the various type agencies to be licensed, to designate categories of facilities for which separate or different requirements shall be developed as may be appropriate whether because of variations in the ages, sex and other characteristics of persons served, variations in the purposes and services offered or size or structure of the agencies to be licensed hereunder, or because of any other factor relevant thereto;

(2) In consultation with the children's services advisory committee, and with the advice and assistance of persons representative of the various type agencies to be licensed, to adopt and publish minimum requirements for licensing applicable to each of the various categories of agencies to be licensed.

The minimum requirements shall be limited to:

(a) The size and suitability of a facility and the plan of operation for carrying out the purpose for which an applicant seeks a license;

(b) The character, suitability and competence of an agency and other persons associated with an agency directly responsible for the care and treatment of children, expectant mothers or developmentally disabled persons. In consultation with law enforcement personnel, the secretary shall investigate the conviction record or pending charges and dependency record information under chapter 43.43 RCW of each agency and its staff seeking licensure or relicensure. In order to determine the suitability of applicants for an agency license, licensees, their employees, and other persons who have unsupervised access to children in care, and who have not resided in the state of Washington during the three-year period before being authorized to care for children shall be fingerprinted. The fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Washington state patrol and federal bureau of investigation for a criminal history records check. The fingerprint criminal history records checks will be at the expense of the licensee except that in the case of a foster family home, if this expense would work a hardship on the licensee, the department shall pay the expense. The licensee may not pass this cost on to the employee or prospective employee, unless the employee is determined to be unsuitable due to his or her criminal history record. The secretary shall use the information solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for a license and for determining the character, suitability, and competence of those persons or agencies, excluding parents, not required to be licensed who are authorized to care for children, expectant mothers, and developmentally disabled persons. Criminal justice agencies shall provide the secretary such information as they may have and that the secretary may require for such purpose;

(c) The number of qualified persons required to render the type of care and treatment for which an agency seeks a license;

(d) The safety, cleanliness, and general adequacy of the premises to provide for the comfort, care and well-being of children, expectant mothers or developmentally disabled persons;

(e) The provision of necessary care, including food, clothing, supervision and discipline; physical, mental and social well-being; and educational, recreational and spiritual opportunities for those served;

(f) The financial ability of an agency to comply with minimum requirements established pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031; and

(g) The maintenance of records pertaining to the admission, progress, health and discharge of persons served;

(3) To investigate any person, including relatives by blood or marriage except for parents, for character, suitability, and competence in the care and treatment of children, expectant mothers, and developmentally disabled persons prior to authorizing that person to care for children, expectant mothers, and developmentally disabled persons. However, if a child is placed with a relative under ((~~RCW 13.34.060~~)) section 7 of this act or RCW 13.34.130, and if such relative appears otherwise suitable and competent to provide care and treatment the criminal history background check required by this section need not be completed before placement, but shall be completed as soon as possible after placement;

(4) On reports of alleged child abuse and neglect, to investigate agencies in accordance with chapter 26.44 RCW, including child day-care centers and family day-care homes, to determine whether the alleged abuse or neglect has occurred, and whether child protective services or referral to a law enforcement agency is appropriate;

(5) To issue, revoke, or deny licenses to agencies pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031. Licenses shall specify the category of care which an agency is authorized to render and the ages, sex and number of persons to be served;

(6) To prescribe the procedures and the form and contents of reports necessary for the administration of chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 and to require regular reports from each licensee;

(7) To inspect agencies periodically to determine whether or not there is compliance with chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 and the requirements adopted hereunder;

(8) To review requirements adopted hereunder at least every two years and to adopt appropriate changes after consultation with the child care coordinating committee and other affected groups for child day-care requirements and with the children's services advisory committee for requirements for other agencies; and

(9) To consult with public and private agencies in order to help them improve their methods and facilities for the care of children, expectant mothers and developmentally disabled persons.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 41. RCW 13.34.170 shall be recodified to appear immediately following RCW 13.34.160.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 42. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 13.34.162 (Child support schedule) and 1993 c 412 s 10 and 1988 c 275 s 15; and

(2) RCW 13.34.220 (Order terminating parent and child relationship‑-Prevailing party to present findings, etc., to court, when) and 1979 c 155 s 50.