Wash. Rev. Code » Title 74 · Chapter 74.34
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 74.34.050 (2026)

Immunity from liability

✓ current as of May 2026 Cite as: Wash. Rev. Code § 74.34.050 (2026)
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(1) A person participating in good faith in making a report under this chapter or testifying about alleged abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult in a judicial or administrative proceeding under this chapter is immune from liability resulting from the report or testimony. The making of permissive reports as allowed in this chapter does not create any duty to report and no civil liability shall attach for any failure to make a permissive report as allowed under this chapter.
(2) Conduct conforming with the reporting and testifying provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed a violation of any confidential communication privilege. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as superseding or abridging remedies provided in chapter 4.92 RCW.
[ 1999 c 176 s 6; 1997 c 386 s 34; 1986 c 187 s 3; 1984 c 97 s 11.]

Notes:

Findings—Purpose—Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—1999 c 176: See notes following RCW 74.34.005.
Application—Effective date—1997 c 386: See notes following RCW 13.50.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2016–2026 · leading case: Kim v. Lakeside Adult Family Home
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Kim v. Lakeside Adult Family Home (2016) wash · cites it 2× “” RCW 74.34.050(1) (emphasis added). By specifying that permissive reporters are not liable for failing to report, but remaining silent as to mandated reporters, the legislature implicitly recognized the existence of a cause of action against mandated reporters who fail to…”
Northstar Case Management Obo Raymond Bell, V. State Of Wa Dshs (2026) washctapp · cites it 8× “RCW 74.34.050. This section specifies that “the making of permissive reports as allowed in this chapter does not create any duty to report and no civil liability shall attach for any failure to make a permissive report as allowed under this chapter.”
In Re The Matter Of Paul Locke Partners In Care v. Will Knedlik (2021) washctapp · cites it 4× “135 or (2) taking into account that Knedlik was immune from liability under RCW 74.34.050 and entitled to indemnity under the January 2016 power of attorney.”
Kim v. Lakeside Adult Family Home (2016) wash · cites it 3× “See RCW 74.34.050. As this court observed in Beggs, the provision of immunity from liability implies the possibility of civil liability.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 74.34.050(1) — 4 cases
Kim v. Lakeside Adult Family Home (2016) wash “” RCW 74.34.050(1) (emphasis added). By specifying that permissive reporters are not liable for failing to report, but remaining silent as to mandated reporters, the legislature implicitly recognized the existence of a cause of action against mandated reporters who fail to…”
Northstar Case Management Obo Raymond Bell, V. State Of Wa Dshs (2026) washctapp “RCW 74.34.050. This section specifies that “the making of permissive reports as allowed in this chapter does not create any duty to report and no civil liability shall attach for any failure to make a permissive report as allowed under this chapter.”
Kim v. Lakeside Adult Family Home (2016) wash “See RCW 74.34.050. As this court observed in Beggs, the provision of immunity from liability implies the possibility of civil liability.”
In Re The Matter Of Paul Locke Partners In Care v. Will Knedlik (2021) washctapp “135 or (2) taking into account that Knedlik was immune from liability under RCW 74.34.050 and entitled to indemnity under the January 2016 power of attorney.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 74.34.050(2) — 1 case
Northstar Case Management Obo Raymond Bell, V. State Of Wa Dshs (2026) washctapp “RCW 74.34.050. This section specifies that “the making of permissive reports as allowed in this chapter does not create any duty to report and no civil liability shall attach for any failure to make a permissive report as allowed under this chapter.”
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