wa-26-21-033: Children, Youth, and Families, Department of — WSR 26-21-033

WSR 26-21-033 (26-21)WSR 26-21-033PROPOSED RULESDEPARTMENT OFCHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES[Filed October 13, 2026, 4:37 p.m.]Continuance of WSR 26-16-036.Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-12-002.Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 110-50 WAC, Child welfare; the child welfare division is: Amending WAC 110-50-0060 Voluntary placement agreements (new proposed title); What must a parent do to place the child in foster care with the department? (current title). Repealing WAC 110-50-0070 Under what circumstances may a parent sign a consent for voluntary placement of a child in foster care with the department?, 110-50-0080 How long may a voluntary placement last with the department?, and 110-50-0090 May the department grant an exception to the length of stay in a voluntary placement?Additional edits were made in WAC 110-50-0060 based on the public comment from the CR-102 original notice. Due to the changes, there will be a second public hearing. Hearing Location(s): On November 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Conference Room 1213, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501. Comments can be made by submitting comments to the online comment application linked below, emailing the rules coordinator, attending a public hearing in person, or calling 360-972-5385 and leaving a voice mail that includes the comment and an email or physical mailing address where DCYF will send its response. All comments must be received by the deadline date and time listed below.Date of Intended Adoption: November 25, 2026. Submit Written Comments to: DCYF Rules Coordinator, Brenda Villarreal ASD, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov, online comment application https://dcyf.wa.gov/practice/policy-laws-rules/rule-making/participate/online, beginning October 23, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., by November 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact DCYF rules coordinator, phone 360-972-5385, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov, relay users dial 711, by November 17, 2026.Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The child welfare division is amending and repealing the voluntary placement agreements (VPA) WAC in chapter 110-50 WAC. The WAC amendment will decrease the time frames for VPAs from 180 to 90 calendars days to ensure DCYF is meeting the federal IV-E funding requirement. WAC will also be updated to align with current practice and clarify the requirements. WAC that are no longer needed are being repealed. Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.13.031.Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.Name of Proponent: DCYF, governmental.Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Hannah Merley, Olympia, Washington, 360-972-5385; Implementation and Enforcement: DCYF, statewide.A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal: Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules relate only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party; and rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).Scope of exemption for rule proposal:Is fully exempt.October 13, 2026Brenda VillarrealRules CoordinatorRDS-7331.2AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-14-078, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18)WAC 110-50-0060((What must a parent do to place the child in foster care with the department?))Voluntary placement agreements.((A child's parent may sign a Voluntary Placement Agreement (VPA), DSHS 09-004B(X), to voluntarily place a child in foster care. The consent for voluntary placement must agree with child welfare services as described under RCW 74.13.031. The consent becomes valid when signed by a representative of children's administration.))(1) Parents or guardians:(a) Must request child welfare services when seeking voluntary placement of their children and youth, as outlined in RCW 74.13.031; and(b) May sign a consent to voluntarily place their children or youth in out-of-home care with the department on a voluntary placement agreement when:(i) Alternative placement resources including social supports in the family home have been considered and eliminated by the department;(ii) The department agrees that children or youth need to be placed and will provide child welfare services to the parents or guardians; and(iii) They are unable to care for their children or youth.(2) Parents or guardians and the department must sign consents for voluntary placements to:(a) Be valid; and(b) Place children or youth with the department, unless RCW 13.34.245 applies.(3) The department will follow RCW 13.34.245 if there is reason to know the children or youth being voluntarily placed have tribal affiliation when the requirement in subsection (1) of this section is met.(4) Voluntary placement agreements cannot exceed 90 calendar days and children or youth must be returned to their parents or guardians at that time, unless the department and parents or guardians approves an extension.REPEALERThe following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:WAC 110-50-0070Under what circumstances may a parent sign a consent for voluntary placement of a child in foster care with the department?WAC 110-50-0080How long may a voluntary placement last with the department?WAC 110-50-0090May the department grant an exception to the length of stay in voluntary placement?