Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.140 (2026)

Out-of-home placement—Child in need of services petition by department—Procedure

✓ current as of May 2026

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Unless the department files a dependency petition, the department shall file a child in need of services petition to approve an out-of-home placement on behalf of a child under any of the following sets of circumstances:

(1) The child has been admitted to a crisis residential center or has been placed by the department in an out-of-home placement, and:

(a) The parent has been notified that the child was so admitted or placed;

(b) The child cannot return home, and legal authorization is needed for out-of-home placement beyond seventy-two hours;

(d) No child in need of services petition has been filed by either the child or parent;

(e) The parent has not filed an at-risk youth petition; and

(f) The child has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent.

(2) The child has been admitted to a crisis residential center and:

(a) Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, have passed since such placement;

(b) The staff, after searching with due diligence, have been unable to contact the parent of such child; and

(3) An agreement between parent and child made pursuant to *RCW 13.32A.090(3)(d)(ii) or pursuant to RCW 13.32A.120(1) is no longer acceptable to parent or child, and:

(a) The party to whom the arrangement is no longer acceptable has so notified the department;

(b) Seventy-two hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, have passed since such notification;

(d) No child in need of services petition has been filed by either the child or the parent;

(e) The parent has not filed an at-risk youth petition; and

(f) The child has no suitable place to live other than the home of his or her parent.

Under the circumstances of subsections (1), (2), or (3) of this section, the child shall remain in an out-of-home placement until a child in need of services petition filed by the department on behalf of the child is reviewed and resolved by the juvenile court. The department may authorize emergency medical or dental care for a child admitted to a crisis residential center or placed in an out-of-home placement by the department. The state, when the department files a child in need of services petition under this section, shall be represented as provided for in RCW 13.04.093.

[ 2000 c 123 s 16; 1997 c 146 s 5; 1996 c 133 s 19; 1995 c 312 s 15; 1990 c 276 s 9; 1981 c 298 s 10; 1979 c 155 s 28.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: RCW 13.32A.090 was recodified as RCW 43.185C.280 pursuant to 2015 c 69 s 30.

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.

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.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 2000–2007 · leading case: In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).

Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment

In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “[12] RCW 13.32A.140, .150. [13] RCW 13.32A.179.”

In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “RCW 13.32A.140, .150. RCW 13.32A.179. “At risk youth” means a juvenile: (a) Who is absent from home for at least seventy-two consecutive hours without consent of his or her parent; (b) Who is beyond the control of his or her parent such that the child’s behavior endangers the…”

In Re Mowery, 169 P.3d 835 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “Mowery filed a petition in January 2006 under the Child in Need of Services statute, RCW 13.32A.140. He alleged that Ryan was engaging in risky and destructive behavior including substance abuse, property damage, and staying out overnight without permission.”

In re the Interest of Mowery, 141 Wash. App. 263 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “Mowery filed a petition in January 2006 under the child in need of services statute, RCW 13.32A.140. He alleged that Ryan was engaging in risky and destructive behavior, including substance abuse, property damage, and staying out overnight without permission.”

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