OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Senate has acted to bolster child safety and system accountability by commissioning a thorough review of how child welfare referrals are screened and managed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
The legislation is prime-sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, a veteran lawmaker who has represented the 13th District since 2007 and serves on the Senate Human Services Committee.
Her measure cleared the chamber on Feb. 10 with a 49-0 vote, reflecting a recognition by lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle that there needs to be a statewide commitment to addressing issues within Washington’s child protection services.
“This bill directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to perform an assessment of the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ use of screening tools regarding child welfare referrals and how these tools affect outcomes,” said Warnick. “I think it will work well with studies the institute has already done. It will look at some of the challenges and critical issues we are seeing in child-welfare processes.”
This legislative effort comes at a critical time for the state, as Washington has seen a consistent annual drop in dependency filings since 2016, yet has simultaneously experienced a troubling rise in “critical incidents,” including child fatalities and near-fatalities, among families already in contact with the state’s welfare system.
Senate Bill 6007 would authorize WSIPP to perform a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of the screening tools and risk assessment processes utilized by DCYF. The proposed study would determine how these tools influence critical outcomes, such as out-of-home placements, repeat referrals, and the overall safety of children.
By utilizing the nonpartisan expertise of WSIPP, the bill would ensure an objective look at current agency practices. If enacted, the Institute would be required to report its preliminary findings by December 1, with a final report due to the Legislature and DCYF by September 1, 2027.
Warnick, whose legislative focus has long included protecting Washington’s most vulnerable residents, noted that the unanimous Senate vote reflects a collective sense of urgency to refine the state’s intervention strategies.
“I am grateful for the strong, bipartisan support this bill received in the Senate,” Warnick added. “We all share the goal of ensuring no child falls through the cracks of a bureaucratic process. While this is a great first step, our work isn’t done. I urge my colleagues in the House to move quickly so we can begin the vital work of making our child-welfare system safer for every family in Washington.”
Having cleared the Senate, SB 6007 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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