Supporting relative placements in child welfare proceedings.
Summary
Expands the good cause exception to the requirement that the court require the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to file a termination petition if a child is in out-of-home care for 15 of the last 22 months to include circumstances where the DCYF has not yet met with the caregiver for the child to discuss guardianship as an alternative to adoption or the court has determined that guardianship is an appropriate permanent plan.
Requires the court to consider the efforts taken by the DCYF to support a guardianship and whether a guardianship is available as a permanent option for the child when considering one of the required elements of a termination of parental rights petition.
Expands the subsidy program for eligible relatives appointed by the court to include limited guardians of a minor.
Prohibits a child who is placed with a relative or other suitable person from being moved, unless, under certain criteria, the court finds that a change in circumstances necessitates a change in placement.
From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 1747), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗