The bill amends Washington state laws concerning the duty of clergy and other professionals to report child abuse and neglect. It introduces a new definition for "member of the clergy," expanding the category to include a wider range of religious leaders, such as imams and elders, who are mandated to report suspected abuse or neglect. However, it specifies that clergy members are exempt from this requirement if the information is obtained through privileged communication. Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to child welfare, explicitly defining a child as anyone under 18 years of age. It also enhances reporting requirements for various professionals, mandating that reports of abuse or neglect be made within 48 hours of reasonable cause.

Further changes include the specification of notification time frames, such as requiring the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to notify law enforcement within 72 hours of receiving a report, and law enforcement to notify the department within 24 hours in emergency situations. The bill introduces a family assessment response option for cases of alleged abuse or neglect, allowing for a more tailored approach to family services while ensuring investigations are completed within a maximum of 90 days. It also mandates the department to maintain investigation records, conduct periodic reviews of founded cases, and utilize a risk assessment process during investigations. The bill emphasizes confidentiality for reporters and updates various time frames and terminologies, including extending the family assessment response period from 45 to 120 days under certain conditions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 26.44.020, 26.44.030
Bill as Passed Legislature: 26.44.020, 26.44.030
Session Law: 26.44.020, 26.44.030