WA SB5979

Amends RCW 13.34.040 to require dependency petitions not seeking child removal to include a statement explaining the harm that will occur if the child or family does not receive court-ordered services

Requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to establish policies for initiating dependency proceedings that give great weight to: presence of high-potency synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl), lack of capable caregiver, parental substance abuse as evidence of negligent treatment, and frequency of prior referrals within five years

Directs the department to develop practice guidelines and training with judicial officers, court administrators, child welfare professionals, and parents on using "in-home dependencies" to provide ongoing services and supervision without removing children from their homes

Responds to 2025 findings that 24 of 45 critical incidents involving children (53%) were opioid-related, and that the department was erroneously only filing dependencies when seeking removal rather than using them as a tool for family services

Declares an emergency and takes effect immediately upon passage