The bill aims to enhance the well-being of dependent children in Washington State by emphasizing the importance of relational permanency alongside legal permanency. It introduces a new section that outlines the necessity for dependency courts to ensure that young people leaving foster care have meaningful long-term relationships with various individuals, including family members and mentors. The bill highlights that while legal permanency through reunification, guardianship, or adoption is crucial, it does not solely guarantee secure attachments and lifelong relationships. The legislation also mandates that Washington state's data collection reflect both relational and legal permanency as well as overall child well-being.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 13.34.820 to require the administrative office of the courts to compile and submit an annual report on dependency cases that do not meet statutory guidelines for achieving permanency. The report will now include measures of relational permanency and child well-being, with a deadline for reporting to the legislature set for July 1, 2025. The bill also stipulates that the administrative office must consult with various state departments and entities to ensure accurate data collection and sharing agreements are in place to evaluate the needs of families within the dependency system.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 13.34.820, 13.34.035
Substitute Bill: 13.34.820