Addressing child exposure to violence.

 H-0177.1

HOUSE BILL 1028

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Representatives Goodman, Eslick, Reed, Fey, Davis, and Lekanoff

Prefiled 12/10/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Human Services.

AN ACT Relating to child exposure to violence; amending RCW 26.44.020 ; adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the multidisciplinary team approach coordinated by children's advocacy centers improves interagency communication, increases the effectiveness of the investigation and prosecution of child abuse, and results in fewer interviews with and less trauma for the child.

(2) The legislature finds that current language defining children's advocacy centers was written more than 20 years ago, when such centers were just beginning to develop in our state. Additionally, current language defining child forensic interviews was also written at a time when there were few, if any, designated specialized child forensic interviewers in Washington.