READ FIRST TIME 02/20/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to child welfare; amending RCW 13.34.200, 13.34.060, 13.34.062, 13.34.065, 13.34.136, 13.34.138, and 13.34.145; reenacting and amending RCW 74.13.031; adding a new section to chapter 13.34 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A child may petition the juvenile court to reinstate the previously terminated parental rights of his or her parent under the following circumstances:
     (a) The child must have been found to be a dependent child under this chapter;
     (b) The child must be at least twelve years of age at the time the petition to reinstate parental rights is filed;
     (c) At least three years have passed from the date of entry of an order for the termination of parental rights;
     (d) The child's permanent plan is adoption and the child has not been adopted;
     (e) The petition is signed by the child, unless the court finds good cause not to require the child's signature; and
     (f) The petition alleges facts demonstrating the parent is fit and that reinstatement of parental rights is in the best interest of the child.
     (2) Upon the filing of a petition to reinstate parental rights, the juvenile court shall order that a hearing be held. The court shall give prior notice, or cause prior notice to be given, to the department, the child's attorney, the child, the child's foster parent, and the child's tribe, if applicable. The court shall also order the department to give prior notice of the hearing to the child's former parent or parents whose parental rights were terminated and to any parent of the child whose parental rights were not terminated.
     (3) The juvenile court shall conditionally grant the petition if it finds the following by clear and convincing evidence:
     (a) The parental deficiencies which led to the termination of parental rights have been addressed to a degree that assures the court that the reinstatement of parental rights will not present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety;
     (b) The parent is currently able to care for the child such that placement of the child with the parent will not present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety;
     (c) The child is no longer likely to be adopted; and
     (d) That reinstatement of parental rights is in the child's best interest.
     (4)(a) If the court conditionally grants the petition under subsection (3) of this section, the case will be continued for one year. During this period, the child shall be placed in the custody of the parent. The department shall develop a permanency plan for the child reflecting the plan to be reunification. The department shall provide transition services to the family as appropriate. The court shall conduct a minimum of two review hearings to determine the status of the case and the well-being of the child.
     (b) If the child must be removed from the parent due to abuse or neglect allegations, the court shall dismiss the petition for reinstatement of parental rights if the court finds the allegations have been proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
     (c) If the child has been successfully placed with the parent for one year, the court order reinstating parental rights remains in effect and the court shall dismiss the dependency if the court finds that dismissal of the dependency is in the best interests of the child and will not present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety.
     (5) A child seeking to petition under this section shall be provided counsel prior to the filing of the petition.
     (6) The child's former parent or parents have the right to be represented by counsel, and if indigent, to have counsel appointed for him or her by the court after the petition for reinstatement of parental rights has been filed. Unless waived in court, counsel shall be provided to the child's parent 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.
     (7) A proceeding to reinstate parental rights is a separate action from the termination of parental rights proceeding and does not vacate the original termination of parental rights. An order granted under this section reinstates the parental rights to the child. This reinstatement is a recognition that the situation of the parent and child have changed since the time of the termination of parental rights and reunification is now appropriate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Sections 1 through 5 of this act are retroactive and apply to any child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court at the time of the hearing regardless of the date parental rights were terminated.

Sec. 3   RCW 13.34.200 and 2003 c 227 s 7 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, except as provided in section 1 of this act: 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 an Indian child derives from the child's descent from a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
     (3) An order terminating the parent-child relationship shall include a statement addressing the status of the child's sibling relationships and the nature and extent of sibling placement, contact, or visits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:
     The state or a person, individually or in a representative capacity for the state, who is involved in the delivery of child welfare services or child protective services through the children's administration of the department of social and health services, is not liable for selecting one of two or more alternative courses of action even though the course of action chosen results in a poor outcome if the person exercised reasonable care and skill in arriving at the judgment to follow the particular course of action.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Nothing in sections 1 through 5 of this act may be construed to limit the application of other statutes specifying a liability standard for the state's employees and agents.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The legislature recognizes that the 2005 Washington state court improvement project re-assessment found that Washington statutes fail to consistently address the health and safety of children in care. Statutory language does not stress the safety and welfare of the child as the paramount concerns. Additionally, the lack of clarity in the statutes undermines the effectiveness of the hearings and, ultimately, the safety and welfare of the child. The legislature intends to clarify the purpose of the court hearings and the roles and responsibilities of the parties.
     The legislature finds that an investment of time into quality court hearings results in better decisions for children and their families and preserves the resources of the court and the child welfare system. The legislature intends to clearly state that court hearings should always strive to be independent, thorough, and timely inquiries into the status of the case to ensure the department of social and health services is responding to the needs of the family and child in a prompt manner and that the case is progressing appropriately. The legislature encourages the courts to develop clearer, stronger oversight and leadership roles within the courts to achieve safe, timely permanency for children. The court is encouraged to engage all parties to question whether the case is progressing and, if not, to assist in problem-solving to ensure progress is made towards permanency for the child.

Sec. 7   RCW 13.34.060 and 2002 c 52 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A child taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050 shall be immediately placed in shelter care. A child taken by a relative of the child in violation of RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070 shall be placed in shelter care only when permitted under RCW 13.34.055. No child may be held longer than seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after such child is taken into custody unless a court order has been entered for continued shelter care. In no case may a child who is taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.055, 13.34.050, or 26.44.050 be detained in a secure detention facility.
     (((a))) (2) Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that the efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered, priority placement for a child in shelter care, pending a court hearing, shall be with any person described in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a). The person must be willing and available to care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child. The person must be willing to facilitate the child's visitation with siblings, if such visitation is part of the supervising agency's plan or is ordered by the court. 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))) (2) establishes an entitlement to services or a right to a particular placement.
     (((b))) (3) Whenever a child is taken into custody pursuant to this section, the supervising agency may authorize evaluations of the child's physical or emotional condition and educational and developmental status, 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, 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 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.))

Sec. 8   RCW 13.34.062 and 2004 c 147 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) 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 parent, 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, including the right to a shelter care hearing, as soon as possible.
     (b) In no event shall the notice required by this section be provided to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian 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.
     (2)(a) 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.
     (b) The written notice of custody and rights required by ((RCW 13.34.060)) this section shall be in substantially the following form:

Sec. 9   RCW 13.34.065 and 2001 c 332 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) When a child is taken into custody, the court shall hold a shelter care hearing within seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The primary purpose of the shelter care hearing is to determine whether the child can be immediately and safely returned home while the adjudication of the dependency is pending.
     (b) Any parent, guardian, or legal custodian who for good cause is unable to attend the 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.
     (2)(a) The ((juvenile court probation counselor)) department of social and health services 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)) in all cases in which it is the petitioner. In all other cases, the recommendation shall be submitted by the juvenile court probation counselor.
     (b) All parties have the right to present testimony to the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care.
     (c) 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.
     (3)(a) At the commencement of the hearing, the court shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of the following:
     (i) The parent, guardian, or custodian has the right to a shelter care hearing;
     (ii) The nature of the shelter care hearing and the proceedings that will follow; and
     (iii) If the parent, guardian, or custodian is not represented by counsel, the right to be represented. If the parent, guardian, or custodian is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel as provided in RCW 13.34.090.
     (b) 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, whether such waiver is knowing and voluntary. Regardless of whether the court accepts the parental waiver of the shelter care hearing, the court must make the finding required under subsection (4) of this section.
     (4) At the shelter care hearing the court shall examine the need for shelter care and inquire into the status of the case. The paramount consideration for the court shall be the health, welfare, and safety of the child. At a minimum, the court shall inquire into the following:
     (a) Whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.062 was given to all known parents, guardians, or legal custodians of the child. The court shall make an express finding as to whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.062 was given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. 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;
     (b) Whether the child can be safely returned home while the adjudication of the dependency is pending;
     (c) What efforts have been made to place the child with a relative;
     (d) What services were provided to the family to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home;
     (e) Is the placement proposed by the agency the least disruptive and most family-like setting that meets the needs of the child;
     (f) Whether it is in the best interest of the child to remain enrolled in the school, developmental program, or child care the child was in prior to placement;
     (g) Appointment of a guardian ad litem or attorney;
     (h) Whether the child is or may be an Indian child as defined in 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903, whether the provisions of the Indian child welfare act apply, and whether there is compliance with the Indian child welfare act, including notice to the child's tribe;
     (i) Whether restraining orders, or orders expelling an allegedly abusive parent from the home, will allow the child to safely remain in the home;
     (j) Whether any orders for examinations, evaluations, or immediate services are needed;
     (k) The terms and conditions for parental and sibling visitation.
     (((2))) (5)(a) 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))) (i) 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))) (ii)(A) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian to provide supervision and care for such child; or
     (((ii))) (B) The release of such child would present a serious threat of substantial harm to such child; or
     (((iii))) (C) 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.
     (b) 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 or that the efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered. The relative must be willing and available to:
     (i) Care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child;
     (ii) Facilitate the child's visitation with siblings, if such visitation is part of the supervising agency's plan or is ordered by the court; and
     (iii) Cooperate with the department in providing necessary background checks and home studies.
     (c) 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).
     (d) 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))) If the court orders placement of the child with a person not related to the child and not licensed to provide foster care, the placement is subject to all terms and conditions of this section that apply to relative placements.
     (e) Any placement with a relative, or other person approved by the court pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon cooperation with the agency case plan and compliance with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child including, but not limited to, court orders regarding parent-child contacts, sibling contacts, and any other conditions imposed by the court. Noncompliance with the case plan or court order is grounds for removal of the child from the home of the relative or other person, subject to review by the court.
     (6)(a) A shelter care order issued pursuant to this section shall include the requirement for a case conference as provided in RCW 13.34.067. However, if the parent is not present at the shelter care hearing, or does not agree to the case conference, the court shall not include the requirement for the case conference in the shelter care order.
     (b) If the court orders a case conference, the shelter care order shall include notice to all parties and establish the date, time, and location of the case conference which shall be no later than thirty days before the fact-finding hearing.
     (c) The court may order another conference, case staffing, or hearing as an alternative to the case conference required under RCW 13.34.067 so long as the conference, case staffing, or hearing ordered by the court meets all requirements under RCW 13.34.067, including the requirement of a written agreement specifying the services to be provided to the parent.
     (7)(a) 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 placed in shelter care for longer than thirty days without an order, signed by the judge, authorizing continued shelter care.
     (b)(i) 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.
     (ii) The court shall consider whether nonconformance with any conditions resulted from circumstances beyond the control of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and give weight to that fact before ordering return of the child to shelter care.
     (((4))) (8)(a) If a child is returned home from shelter care a second time in the case, or if the supervisor of the caseworker deems it necessary, the multidisciplinary team may be reconvened.
     (((5))) (b) If a child is returned home from shelter care a second time in the case a law enforcement officer must be present and file a report to the department.

Sec. 10   RCW 13.34.136 and 2004 c 146 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever a child is ordered removed from the child's home, 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.
     (2) The agency charged with ((his or her)) care 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 permanency plan shall include:
     (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; successful completion of a responsible living skills program; or independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older. 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 RCW 13.34.130(4), 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, what steps the agency will take to promote existing appropriate sibling relationships and/or facilitate placement together or contact in accordance with the best interests of each child, 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) Visitation is the right of the family, including the child and the parent, in cases in which visitation is in the best interest of the child. Early, consistent, and frequent visitation is crucial for maintaining parent-child relationships and making it possible for parents and children to safely reunify. The agency shall encourage the maximum parent and child and sibling contact possible, when it is in the best interest of the child, including regular visitation and participation by the parents in the care of the child while the child is in placement. Visitation shall not be limited as a sanction for a parent's failure to comply with court orders or services where the health, safety, or welfare of the child is not at risk as a result of the visitation. 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. The court and the agency should rely upon community resources, relatives, foster parents, and other appropriate persons to provide transportation and supervision for visitation to the extent that such resources are available, and appropriate, and the child's safety would not be compromised.
     (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 plan should ensure the child remains enrolled in the school the child was attending at the time the child entered foster care whenever it is practical and in the best interest of the child.
     (v) 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(4), 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. However, reasonable efforts to ensure visitation and contact between siblings shall be made unless there is reasonable cause to believe the best interests of the child or siblings would be jeopardized.
     (((2))) (3) 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.
     (4) 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.
     (((3))) (5) The identified outcomes and goals of the permanency plan may change over time based upon the circumstances of the particular case.
     (6) The court shall consider the child's relationships with the child's siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130(3).
     (7) For purposes related to permanency planning:
     (a) "Guardianship" means a dependency guardianship or a legal guardianship pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
     (b) "Permanent custody order" means a custody order entered pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW.
     (c) "Permanent legal custody" means legal custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Sec. 11   RCW 13.34.138 and 2005 c 512 s 3 are each amended 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)). The purpose of the hearing ((in which it)) shall be ((determined)) to review the progress of the parties and determine whether court supervision should continue.
     (a) The initial review hearing shall be an in-court review and shall be set six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or no more than ninety days from the entry of the disposition order, whichever comes first. The requirements for the initial review hearing, including the in-court review requirement, shall be accomplished within existing resources.
     (b) The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative with notice of, and his or her 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 the 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.
     (c) The initial review hearing may be a permanency planning hearing when necessary to meet the time frames set forth in RCW 13.34.145(((3))) (1)(a) or 13.34.134. ((The review shall include findings regarding the agency and parental completion of disposition plan requirements, and if necessary, revised permanency time limits. This review shall consider both the agency's and parent's efforts that demonstrate consistent measurable progress over time in meeting the disposition plan requirements. The requirements for the initial review hearing, including the in-court requirement, shall be accomplished within existing resources. 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.))
     (2)(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)) Whether the agency is making reasonable efforts to provide services to the family and eliminate the need for placement of the child. If additional services, including housing assistance, are needed to facilitate the return of the child to the child's parents, the court shall order that reasonable services be offered specifying such services;
     (ii) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;
     (iii) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;
     (iv) Whether the services set forth in the case plan and the responsibilities of the parties need to be clarified or modified due to the availability of additional information or changed circumstances;
     (v) Whether there is a continuing need for placement;
     (vi) Whether the child is in an appropriate placement which adequately meets all physical, emotional, and educational needs;
     (((ii))) (vii) 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))) (viii) 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))) (ix) Whether terms of visitation need to be modified;
     (x) Whether the court-approved long-term permanent plan for the child remains the best plan for the child;
     (xi) Whether any additional court orders need to be made to move the case toward permanency; and
     (xii) 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))) (3)(a) In any case in which the court orders that a dependent child may be returned to or remain in the child's home, the in-home placement shall be contingent upon the following:
     (i) The compliance of the parents with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child, including compliance with an agency case plan; and
     (ii) The continued participation of the parents, if applicable, in available substance abuse or mental health treatment if substance abuse or mental illness was a contributing factor to the removal of the child.
     (b) The following may be grounds for removal of the child from the home, subject to review by the court:
     (i) Noncompliance by the parents with the agency case plan or court order;
     (ii) The parent's inability, unwillingness, or failure to participate in available services or treatment for themselves or the child, including substance abuse treatment if a parent's substance abuse was a contributing factor to the abuse or neglect; or
     (iii) The failure of the parents to successfully and substantially complete available services or treatment for themselves or the child, including substance abuse treatment if a parent's substance abuse was a contributing factor to the abuse or neglect.
     (((3))) (4) 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.
     (((4))) (5) The court shall consider the child's relationship with siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130(3).

Sec. 12   RCW 13.34.145 and 2003 c 227 s 6 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, 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, 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))) The purpose of a permanency planning hearing is to review the permanency plan for the child, inquire into the welfare of the child and progress of the case, and reach decisions regarding the permanent placement of the child.
     (a) 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))) (b) 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))) (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.
     (2) 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))) (3) At the permanency planning hearing, the court shall ((enter findings as required by RCW 13.34.138 and shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency)) conduct the following inquiry:
     (a) 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.
     (b) 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. The court shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency and make explicit findings regarding each of the following:
     (i) The continuing necessity for, and the safety and appropriateness of, the placement;
     (ii) The extent of compliance with the permanency plan by the agency and any other service providers, the child's parents, the child, and the child's guardian, if any;
     (iii) The extent of any efforts to involve appropriate service providers in addition to agency staff in planning to meet the special needs of the child and the child's parents;
     (iv) The progress toward eliminating the causes for the child's placement outside of his or her home and toward returning the child safely to his or her home or obtaining a permanent placement for the child;
     (v) The date by which it is likely that the child will be returned to his or her home or placed for adoption, with a guardian or in some other alternative permanent placement; and
     (vi) If the child has been placed outside of his or her home for fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months, not including any period during which the child was a runaway from the out-of-home placement or the first six months of any period during which the child was returned to his or her home for a trial home visit, the appropriateness of the permanency plan, whether reasonable efforts were made by the agency to achieve the goal of the permanency plan, and the circumstances which prevent the child from any of the following:
     (A) Being returned safely to his or her home;
     (B) Having a petition for the involuntary termination of parental rights filed on behalf of the child;
     (C) Being placed for adoption;
     (D) Being placed with a guardian;
     (E) Being placed in the home of a fit and willing relative of the child; or
     (F) Being placed in some other alternative permanent placement, including independent living or long-term foster care.
     (c)(i) If the permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, 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, personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs prior to approving independent living as a permanency plan of care.
     (ii) The permanency 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.
     (iii) 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.
     (d) 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 13.34.138. ((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 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.))
     (4) In all cases, at the permanency planning hearing, 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))) (5) 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.
     (6) 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.
     (7) If a child is removed from home due to allegations of abuse or neglect, returned home, and subsequently removed and placed in out-of-home care, the court shall hold a permanency hearing no later than thirty days from the date of the removal to determine the appropriate action, including a change in the permanency plan or the filing of a termination petition. The best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration in determining the appropriate action.
     (8) 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 13.34.138, and the court shall determine the need for continued intervention.
     (((8))) (9) The juvenile court may hear a petition for permanent legal custody when: (a) The court has ordered implementation of a permanency plan that includes permanent legal custody; and (b) the party pursuing the permanent legal custody is the party identified in the permanency plan as the prospective legal custodian. During the pendency of such proceeding, 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))) (10) 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 the requirements of subsection (((8))) (9) of this section are met.
     (((10) 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.
     (11) Except as 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 13.34.138, 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.
     (12))) (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.
     (((13))) (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. The court shall consider the child's relationships with siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130.
     (((14))) (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. 13   RCW 74.13.031 and 2006 c 266 s 1 and 2006 c 221 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     The department shall have the duty to provide child welfare services and shall:
     (1) Develop, administer, supervise, and monitor a coordinated and comprehensive plan that establishes, aids, and strengthens services for the protection and care of runaway, dependent, or neglected children.
     (2) Within available resources, recruit an adequate number of prospective adoptive and foster homes, both regular and specialized, i.e. homes for children of ethnic minority, including Indian homes for Indian children, sibling groups, handicapped and emotionally disturbed, teens, pregnant and parenting teens, and annually report to the governor and the legislature concerning the department's success in: (a) Meeting the need for adoptive and foster home placements; (b) reducing the foster parent turnover rate; (c) completing home studies for legally free children; and (d) implementing and operating the passport program required by RCW 74.13.285. The report shall include a section entitled "Foster Home Turn-Over, Causes and Recommendations."
     (3) Investigate complaints of any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, or sexual abuse or exploitation, or that presents an imminent risk of serious harm, and on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer child welfare services in relation to the problem to such parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis, and/or bring the situation to the attention of an appropriate court, or another community agency: PROVIDED, That an investigation is not required of nonaccidental injuries which are clearly not the result of a lack of care or supervision by the child's parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis. If the investigation reveals that a crime against a child may have been committed, the department shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.
     (4) Offer, on a voluntary basis, family reconciliation services to families who are in conflict.
     (5) Monitor out-of-home placements, on a timely and routine basis, to assure the safety, well-being, and quality of care being provided is within the scope of the intent of the legislature as defined in RCW 74.13.010 and 74.15.010, and annually submit a report measuring the extent to which the department achieved the specified goals to the governor and the legislature.
     (6) Have authority to accept custody of children from parents and to accept custody of children from juvenile courts, where authorized to do so under law, to provide child welfare services including placement for adoption, to provide for the routine and necessary medical, dental, and mental health care, or necessary emergency care of the children, and to provide for the physical care of such children and make payment of maintenance costs if needed. Except where required by Public Law 95-608 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1915), no private adoption agency which receives children for adoption from the department shall discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or color when considering applications in their placement for adoption.
     (7) Have authority to provide temporary shelter to children who have run away from home and who are admitted to crisis residential centers.
     (8) Have authority to purchase care for children; and shall follow in general the policy of using properly approved private agency services for the actual care and supervision of such children insofar as they are available, paying for care of such children as are accepted by the department as eligible for support at reasonable rates established by the department.
     (9) Establish a children's services advisory committee which shall assist the secretary in the development of a partnership plan for utilizing resources of the public and private sectors, and advise on all matters pertaining to child welfare, licensing of child care agencies, adoption, and services related thereto. At least one member shall represent the adoption community.
     (10)(a) Have authority to provide continued foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a high school or vocational school program.
     (b)(i) Beginning in 2006, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty youth reaching age eighteen to continue in foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a posthigh school academic or vocational program, and to receive necessary support and transition services.
     (ii) In 2007 and 2008, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty additional youth per year reaching age eighteen to remain in foster care or group care as provided in (b)(i) of this subsection.
     (iii) A youth who remains eligible for such placement and services pursuant to department rules may continue in foster care or group care until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday. Eligibility requirements shall include active enrollment in a posthigh school academic or vocational program and maintenance of a 2.0 grade point average.
     (11) Refer cases to the division of child support whenever state or federal funds are expended for the care and maintenance of a child, including a child with a developmental disability who is placed as a result of an action under chapter 13.34 RCW, unless the department finds that there is good cause not to pursue collection of child support against the parent or parents of the child. Cases involving individuals age eighteen through twenty shall not be referred to the division of child support unless required by federal law.
     (12) Have authority within funds appropriated for foster care services to purchase care for Indian children who are in the custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribally licensed child-placing agency pursuant to parental consent, tribal court order, or state juvenile court order; and the purchase of such care shall be subject to the same eligibility standards and rates of support applicable to other children for whom the department purchases care.
     Notwithstanding any other provision of RCW 13.32A.170 through 13.32A.200 and 74.13.032 through 74.13.036, or of this section all services to be provided by the department of social and health services under subsections (4), (6), and (7) of this section, subject to the limitations of these subsections, may be provided by any program offering such services funded pursuant to Titles II and III of the federal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act of 1974.
     (13) Within amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, provide preventive services to families with children that prevent or shorten the duration of an out-of-home placement.
     (14) Have authority to provide independent living services to youths, including individuals who have attained eighteen years of age, and have not attained twenty-one years of age who are or have been in foster care.
     (15) Consult at least quarterly with the foster parent association of Washington state for the purpose of receiving information and comment regarding how the department is performing the duties and meeting the obligations specified in this section and RCW 74.13.250 and 74.13.320 regarding the recruitment of foster homes, reducing foster parent turnover rates, providing effective training for foster parents, and administering a coordinated and comprehensive plan that strengthens services for the protection of children. Consultation shall occur at the regional and statewide levels.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14   (1) The secretary of the department of social and health services shall work in conjunction with the University of Washington to study the need for and the feasibility of creating tiered classifications for foster parent licensing, including a professional foster parent classification. The secretary of the department of social and health services and the dean of the school of social work, or his or her designee, at the University of Washington jointly shall facilitate a work group composed of: (a) One or more representatives from the Washington federation of state employees; (b) two or more representatives from the foster parent association of Washington state; (c) the director of the institute for children and families at the University of Washington; and (d) four or more child welfare professionals with subject matter expertise from the public, private, or academic communities.
     (2) To promote the exchange of ideas and collaboration, the secretary and the director also shall convene at least two focused stakeholder meetings seeking input from a broad range of foster parents, social workers, and community members. To facilitate the exchange of ideas, the department of social and health services shall provide to the work group the contact information for licensed foster parents for the sole purpose of communicating with foster parents regarding issues relevant to foster parents. The work group shall keep the contact information confidential and shall develop guidelines for the use and maintenance of this contact information among work group members.
     (3) The secretary of the department of social and health services and the dean of the school of social work, or his or her designee, at the University of Washington shall report the recommendations of the work group to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   Section 14 of this act expires January 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.