The bill aims to enhance support for juveniles in and exiting detention by establishing a child in need of services process and providing additional supportive services. It amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), including RCW 13.32A.150 and 13.32A.152, to clarify definitions and procedures related to at-risk youth and children in need of services. Key updates include the revised definitions of "at-risk youth" and "child in need of services," which now specify criteria such as absence from home without consent. The bill introduces provisions for emergency hearings and petitions to be filed while a youth is in detention, streamlining the process for securing out-of-home placements. Notably, it removes certain requirements for family assessments before filing petitions, allowing for more immediate action in cases where a child is in detention.

Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for housing stability programs for youth in crisis, requiring counties to implement specific components such as training for juvenile court staff and appointing housing stability coordinators. It mandates annual reports to evaluate these programs and includes provisions for assisting juveniles in finding stable housing upon release from detention. The bill emphasizes the importance of family reconciliation services and the involvement of multidisciplinary teams in supporting families and children, while also creating a partnership council on juvenile justice to modernize existing laws and improve support systems for at-risk youth.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 13.32A.045, 13.32A.150, 13.32A.152, 13.32A.160, 13.32A.170, 13.32A.179, 43.330.724
Substitute Bill: 13.32A.150, 13.32A.152, 13.32A.160, 13.32A.170, 13.32A.179, 43.330.724, 13.40.050