S-3675.1
SENATE BILL 6236
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Senators Holy, Fortunato, Christian, Boehnke, Dozier, Torres, McCune, Schoesler, Goehner, Gildon, Braun, Wagoner, Short, King, J. Wilson, and Warnick
AN ACT Relating to maintaining the safety of children; and amending RCW 13.34.050 , 13.34.065 , 13.34.130 , 26.44.050 , 26.44.056 , and 26.44.030 .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 13.34.050 and 2024 c 328 s 102 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) (a) The court may enter an order directing a law enforcement officer, probation counselor, or child protective services official to take a child into custody if: (( (a) )) (i) A petition is filed with the juvenile court with sufficient corroborating evidence to establish that the child is dependent; (( (b) )) (ii) an affidavit or declaration is filed by the department in support of the petition setting forth specific factual information evidencing insufficient time to serve a parent with a dependency petition and hold a hearing prior to removal; and (( (c) )) (iii) the allegations contained in the petition, if true, establish that there are reasonable grounds to believe that removal is necessary to prevent imminent or serious physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect, including that which results from sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, a pattern of severe neglect, or a high-potency synthetic opioid. (( The court shall give great weight to the lethality of high-potency synthetic opioids and public health guidance from the department of health related to high-potency synthetic opioids in determining whether removal is necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect ))
(b) Use of a controlled substance classified as a Schedule I or II controlled substance under chapter 69.50 RCW other than cannabis, not obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a medical practitioner while caring for a child constitutes reasonable grounds to believe that removal is necessary to prevent imminent or serious physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect under (a) of this subsection .