Wash. Rev. Code » Title 74 · Chapter 74.13
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 74.13.010 (2026)

Declaration of purpose

✓ current as of May 2026
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The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard, protect, and contribute to the welfare of the children of the state, through a comprehensive and coordinated program of child welfare services provided by both the department and agencies providing for: Social services and facilities for children who require guidance, care, control, protection, treatment, or rehabilitation; setting of standards for social services and facilities for children; cooperation with public and voluntary agencies, organizations, and citizen groups in the development and coordination of programs and activities in behalf of children; and promotion of community conditions and resources that help parents to discharge their responsibilities for the care, development, and well-being of their children.
[ 2018 c 284 s 34; 2009 c 520 s 49; 1965 c 30 s 2.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1988–2026 · leading case: H.B.H. v. State, 429 P.3d 484 (Wash. 2018).
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H.B.H. v. State, 429 P.3d 484 (Wash. 2018). · cites it 6× “" RCW 74.13.010. Consistent with this purpose, the guiding principal of our child welfare system is that "the child's health and safety shall be the paramount concern.”
Washington State Coalition for the Homeless v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 949 P.2d 1291 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “RCW 74.13.010. The Legislature stated its policy and the goals it hoped RCW 74.”
Matter of Welfare of Key, 836 P.2d 200 (Wash. 1992). · cites it 2× “[9] Unlike voluntary foster care, where the purpose is to provide parents aid in caring for the proper needs of a child, see RCW 74.13.010; RCW 74.13.020, a dependency action is designed to temporarily remove the child from a parent's authority.”
New Hope of Washington v. Ramquist, 765 P.2d 30 (Wash. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “See RCW 74.13.010; RCW 74.15.010. 1 RCW 13.34 charges child-placing agencies with the primary responsibility of reuniting dependent children with their parents.”
M.W. v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 70 P.3d 954 (Wash. 2003). “RCW 13.34.020. Another statute provides that “[t]he purpose of this chapter is to safeguard, protect and contribute to the welfare of the children of the state,” but in the context of providing a social welfare program for children.”
Tyner v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 1 P.3d 1148 (Wash. 2000). “) Finally, RCW 74.13.010, which sets forth the obligation of DSHS to create an appropriate child welfare system, makes clear the State’s duty runs to the children: The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard, protect and contribute to the welfare of the children of the state,…”
Wrigley v. State, 455 P.3d 1138 (Wash. 2020). “" RCW 74.13.010. To this end, when a parent's actions "seriously conflict with the physical or mental health of the child," the State has both a "right and responsibility to intervene to protect the child" by removing them from their parent's custody.”
M.E. & J.E., Through Michael McKasy, Litig. Gal, App v. City Of Tacoma, Res, 471 P.3d 950 (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “, RCW 74.13.010 (duty to protect and care for dependent children), .”
Tyner v. DSHS, Child Prot. Serv., 1 P.3d 1148 (Wash. 2000). “) Finally, RCW 74.13.010, which sets forth the obligation of DSHS to create an appropriate child welfare system, makes clear the State's duty runs to the children: The purpose of this chapter is to safeguard, protect and contribute to the welfare of the children of the state,…”
Coalition for Homeless v. Dshs, 949 P.2d 1291 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “re services providing for: Social services and facilities for children who require guidance, care, control, protection, treatment or rehabilitation; setting of standards for social services and facilities for children; cooperation with public and voluntary agencies,…”
H.B.H. v. State (Wash. 2018). · cites it 6× “The purpose of Washington's statutory scheme is "to safeguard, protect, and contribute to the welfare of the children of the state," RCW 74.13.010. Consistent with this purpose, the guiding principal of our child welfare system is that "the child's health and safety shall be the…”
Mw v. Dshs, 70 P.3d 954 (Wash. 2003). “This statement is made in the context of explaining that the child's rights supersede the interest of keeping families together when determining whether or not to remove a child from a home. RCW 13.”
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