(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the juvenile court shall not accept the filing of a child in need of services petition by the child or the parents or the filing of an at-risk youth petition by the parent, unless verification is provided that the department, or a community-based entity under contract with the department, has completed a family assessment. The family assessment shall involve the multidisciplinary team if one exists. The family assessment or plan of services developed by the multidisciplinary team shall be aimed at family reconciliation, reunification, and avoidance of the out-of-home placement of the child.

Washington Code 13.32A.030

Child in need of services: means a juvenile:

Washington Code 13.32A.030

Child in need of services petition: means a petition filed in juvenile court by a parent, child, or the department seeking adjudication of placement of the child. See Washington Code 13.32A.030

Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.

Department: means the department of children, youth, and families. See Washington Code 13.32A.030

Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.

Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

Multidisciplinary team: means a group formed to provide assistance and support to a child who is an at-risk youth or a child in need of services and his or her parent. See Washington Code 13.32A.030

Out-of-home placement: means a placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74. See Washington Code 13.32A.030

Parent: includes custodian or guardian. See Washington Code 13.32A.030

(2) A child or a child’s parent may file with the juvenile court a child in need of services petition to approve an out-of-home placement for the child before completion of a family assessment. The department shall, when requested, assist either a parent or child in the filing of the petition. The petition must be filed in the county where the parent resides. The petition shall allege that the child is a child in need of services and shall ask only that the placement of a child outside the home of his or her parent be approved. The filing of a petition to approve the placement is not dependent upon the court’s having obtained any prior jurisdiction over the child or his or her parent, and confers upon the court a special jurisdiction to approve or disapprove an out-of-home placement under this chapter.

(3) A petition may not be filed if the child is the subject of a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW.

Effective date—Findings—Intent—2019 c 312: See notes following RCW 7.21.080.

Findings—Short title—Intent—Construction—1996 c 133: See notes following RCW 13.32A.197.

Short title—1995 c 312: See note following RCW 13.32A.010.

Part headings not law—Severability—1992 c 205: See notes following RCW 13.40.010.

Intent—1990 c 276: See RCW 13.32A.015.

Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1990 c 276: See notes following RCW 13.32A.020.

Severability—1981 c 298: See note following RCW 13.32A.040.

Effective date—Severability—1979 c 155: See notes following RCW 13.04.011.