The bill amends RCW 13.34.212 to establish a structured schedule for the court appointment of attorneys for children involved in dependency and termination proceedings. It mandates that the court appoint an attorney for a child in a dependency proceeding six months after a petition to terminate parental rights is granted, provided there are no remaining parents with parental rights. The bill allows for the appointment of one attorney for a group of siblings unless there is a conflict of interest. It also specifies that the state will cover the costs of legal services for these appointed attorneys, contingent on the availability of appropriated funds, and outlines the responsibilities of the office of civil legal aid in implementing these provisions.

Additionally, the bill introduces a phased-in approach for appointing attorneys for every child in dependency proceedings over a seven-year period, with specific targets for the number of counties involved each year. It emphasizes prioritizing counties with no current attorney appointment practices or those with significant racial disparities. The bill also includes provisions for notifying children of their right to request an attorney and mandates that the statewide children's legal representation program oversee the recruitment, training, and standards for attorneys representing children. Notably, the implementation timeline has been extended to achieve full statewide implementation by January 1, 2028, and the annual case addition limit has been set to not exceed 1,250 cases.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 13.34.212
Bill as Passed Legislature: 13.34.212
Session Law: 13.34.212