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WA SB6185
Bill
Status
1/16/2026
Primary Sponsor
Claire Wilson
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AI Summary
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Maltreatment-related child fatalities or near fatalities involving families with open child welfare cases increased 70% from 2021 to 2024, with 22 critical incidents in Q1 2025 compared to 9 in Q1 2024
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Courts may order safety conditions for children under age 4 during shelter care proceedings, and the department must provide service referrals within 7 days; participation in prevention services or safety planning cannot be construed as an admission of abuse or neglect
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Expands legal counsel and parent ally access to pregnant parents or those with newborns at risk of child protective services intervention due to prenatal substance exposure, to help create safety plans and identify services
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Requires the governor to convene representatives from health care, child welfare, social services, and health agencies to coordinate substance use disorder treatment options for families receiving child welfare services
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Mandates specialized supervisor training on risk and safety assessments by September 1, 2026, and contracts with public health nurses to support parents of children under 4 with open child protective services investigations
Legislative Description
Addressing the rise in maltreatment-related child fatalities or near fatalities by supporting families that have received a child welfare response.
Last Action
First reading, referred to Human Services.
1/16/2026