Washington 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 5548 — Concerning the uniform unregulated child custody transfer act.

Last action — Prefiled for introduction.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2022. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 94% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

118 added · 128 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill SB 5548 specifies the types of legal actions that are recognized for child custody transfers. It clarifies the categories of custody arrangements, removing references to certain types of judicial actions, while also maintaining a clear prohibition against accepting custody in cases where the transfer may violate these rules. This change aims to streamline legal definitions and ensure that all parties involved understand the rules surrounding child custody transfers, which is important for protecting children's welfare.

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S-3648.2 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5548 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pedersen, Wagoner, Dhingra, and Mullet;
Z-0361.3 SENATE BILL 5548 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session By Senators Pedersen, Wagoner, Dhingra, and Mullet;
by request of Uniform Law Commission) READ FIRST TIME 01/21/22.
by request of Uniform Law Commission Prefiled 12/16/21.
Read first time 01/10/22.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
1 SSB 5548 (4) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families.
1 SB 5548 (4) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families.
2 SSB 5548 (4) An adult who, at the time of the transfer, had a close relationship with the child or the parent or guardian of the child for a substantial period, and whom the parent or guardian reasonably believes, at the time of the transfer, to be a fit custodian of the child;
2 SB 5548 (4) An adult who, at the time of the transfer, had a close relationship with the child or the parent or guardian of the child for a substantial period, and whom the parent or guardian reasonably believes, at the time of the transfer, to be a fit custodian of the child;
(a) A judicial award of custody under chapter 11.130 or 13.34 RCW or this title;
(a) Adoption or guardianship;
(b) Placement by or through a child-placing agency;
(b) Judicial award of custody;
(c) A judicial award of custody or other action in a tribal court;
(c) Placement by or through a child-placing agency;
or (d) Transfer of a newborn to a qualified person under RCW 13.34.360.
(d) Other judicial or tribal action;
or (e) Transfer of a newborn to a qualified person under RCW 13.34.360.
(5) Violation of subsection (1) of this section is not established solely because a parent or guardian that transfers p.
(5) Violation of subsection (1) of this section is not established solely because a parent or guardian that transfers custody of a child or makes a delegation pursuant to RCW 11.130.145 does not regain custody.
3 SSB 5548 custody of a child or makes a delegation pursuant to RCW 11.130.145 does not regain custody.
p.
(6) For purposes of this section, "abandon" has the same meaning as "abandoned" in RCW 13.34.030.
3 SB 5548 NEW SECTION.
NEW SECTION.
(1) If the department has a reasonable basis to believe that a person has transferred or will transfer custody of a child in violation of section 202(1) of this act, the department must respond in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW.
(1) If the department has a reasonable basis to believe that a person has transferred or will transfer custody of a child in violation of section 202(1) of this act, the department must investigate and provide the child protective services section with a report in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW, and where necessary refer such report to the court.
(2) If the department provides a child protective services response in accordance with chapter 26.44 RCW for a child adopted or placed through an intercountry adoption, the department shall:
(2) If the department conducts a home visit for a child adopted or placed through an intercountry adoption, the department shall:
and (b) Provide a copy of the report to the United States department of state.
and (b) Provide a copy to the United States department of state.
For the purpose of preventing child abuse or neglect, the department of children, youth, and families may disclose to the United States department of state only those confidential child welfare records that may assist the United States department of state in informing the child's country of origin that the custody of the child has been transferred in an unregulated custody transfer and describing the child's welfare and plan for permanent placement of the child.
The records retain their confidentiality subject to RCW 13.50.100 and federal law.
(2) No person or entity shall cause to be published for circulation, or broadcast on a radio or television station, within the geographic borders of this state, an advertisement of a child or children offered or wanted for adoption or other custody transfer, or shall hold himself or herself out through such advertisement as having the ability to place, locate, dispose, or receive a child or p.
(2) No person or entity shall cause to be published for circulation, or broadcast on a radio or television station, within the geographic borders of this state, an advertisement of a child or children offered or wanted for ((adoption)) custody transfer, or shall hold himself or herself out through such advertisement as having the ability to place, locate, dispose, or receive a child or children for ((adoption)) custody transfer unless such person or entity is:
4 SSB 5548 children for adoption or other custody transfer unless such person or entity is:
Nothing in this section prohibits an attorney licensed to practice in Washington state from advertising his or her availability to practice or provide services related to the adoption or other custody transfer of children.
p.
4 SB 5548 Nothing in this section prohibits an attorney licensed to practice in Washington state from advertising his or her availability to practice or provide services related to the ((adoption)) custody transfer of children.
p.
NEW SECTION.
5 SSB 5548 NEW SECTION.
NEW SECTION.
p.
5 SB 5548 NEW SECTION.
RCW 26.33.370 (Permanent care and custody of a child— Assumption, relinquishment, or transfer except by court order or statute, when prohibited —Penalty) and 1984 c 155 s 36 are each repealed.
RCW 26.33.370 (Permanent care and custody of a child — Assumption, relinquishment, or transfer except by court order or statute, when prohibited —Penalty) and 1984 c 155 s 36 are each repealed.
6 SSB 5548
6 SB 5548
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Action History

  1. Prefiled for introduction.

  2. Effective date 6/9/2022.

  3. Chapter 88, 2022 Laws.

  4. Governor signed.

  5. Delivered to Governor.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. President signed.

  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  10. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  11. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  12. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM

  13. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

  14. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM.

  15. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:00 AM.

  16. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 08:00 AM

  17. Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.

  18. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted (LAW 22).

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  24. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

  26. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  27. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  28. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM

  29. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  30. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#30)

Passed 95 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 25001
Democrat 48000
Unaffiliated 22101
Total 95102
% of votes cast 97%1%0%2%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Chambers — Yea
Chandler — Yea
Chopp — Yea
Cody — Yea
Dolan — Yea
Gilday — Yea
Harris-Talley — Yea
Hoff — Yea
Kirby — Yea
Klippert — Yea
Kraft — Nay
Kretz — Yea
Maycumber — Yea
McCaslin — Yea
Mosbrucker — Yea
Robertson — Not Voting
Sells — Yea
Sullivan — Yea
Sutherland — Yea
Vick — Yea
Wicks — Yea
Wilcox — Yea
Young — Yea
Johnson, J. — Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tana Senn Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Michelle Valdez Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Not Voting
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#10)

Passed 48 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 17001
Republican 13000
Democrat 18000
Total 48001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Brown — Not Voting
Carlyle — Yea
Das — Yea
Frockt — Yea
Hawkins — Yea
Honeyford — Yea
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Yea
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Yea
Rolfes — Yea
Sefzik — Yea
Sheldon — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5548?
SB 5548 is sponsored by Mullet, Manka Dhingra (Democrat), Keith Wagoner (Republican), and Jamie Pedersen (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5548?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 10, 2022. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 5548?
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