Wash. Rev. Code » Title 70 · Chapter 70.124
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 70.124.030 (2026)

Reports of abuse or neglect

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) When any practitioner, social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, employee of a state hospital, or employee of the department has reasonable cause to believe that a state hospital patient has suffered abuse or neglect, the person shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to either a law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 70.124.040.
(2) Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a state hospital patient has suffered abuse or neglect may report such incident to either a law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 70.124.040.
(3) The department or any law enforcement agency receiving a report of an incident of abuse or neglect involving a state hospital patient who has died or has had physical injury or injuries inflicted other than by accidental means or who has been subjected to sexual abuse shall report the incident to the proper county prosecutor for appropriate action.
[ 1999 c 176 s 22; 1981 c 174 s 3; 1979 ex.s. c 228 s 3.]

Notes:

Findings—Purpose—Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—1999 c 176: See notes following RCW 74.34.005.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1991–1995 · leading case: Farnam v. Crista Ministries, 807 P.2d 830 (Wash. 1991).
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Farnam v. Crista Ministries, 807 P.2d 830 (Wash. 1991). · cites it 2× “Under RCW 70.124.030, any employee of a nursing home who has reasonable cause to believe that a nursing home patient has suffered abuse or neglect "shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to either a law enforcement agency or to the [Department of Social and…”
White v. State, 898 P.2d 331 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). “228, § 3; RCW 70.124.030. By reporting the suspected abuse, White was not only conducting herself in a legally permissible manner, she was conducting herself in a legally required manner.”
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