Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.16
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.100 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) It is the policy of this state to protect children from assault and abuse and to encourage parents and their authorized agents to use methods of correction and restraint of children that are not dangerous to the children. However, the physical discipline of a child is not unlawful when it is reasonable and moderate and is inflicted by a parent or guardian for purposes of restraining or correcting the child. Any use of force on a child by any other person is unlawful unless it either: (a) Is reasonable and moderate and is authorized in advance by the child's parent or guardian for purposes of restraining or correcting the child; or (b) when occurring in an educational setting and involving an educator, actually or substantially complies with limitations on the use of student isolation and restraint under RCW 28A.600.485 including that it is used only when a student's behavior poses an imminent likelihood of serious harm.
(2) The following actions are presumed unreasonable when used to correct or restrain a child: (a) Throwing, kicking, burning, or cutting a child; (b) striking a child with a closed fist; (c) shaking a child under age three; (d) interfering with a child's breathing; (e) threatening a child with a deadly weapon; or (f) doing any other act that is likely to cause and which does cause bodily harm greater than transient pain or minor temporary marks. The age, size, and condition of the child and the location of the injury shall be considered when determining whether the bodily harm is reasonable or moderate. This list is illustrative of unreasonable actions and is not intended to be exclusive.
[ 2024 c 219 s 6; 1986 c 149 s 1.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 41 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1990–2026 · leading case: In re the Dependency of H.S., 356 P.3d 202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
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In re the Dependency of H.S., 356 P.3d 202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 5× “” “Abuse or neglect” is defined as “injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child’s health, welfare, or safety, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100; or the negligent treat *664 ment or maltreatment of a child by a person…”
State Of Washington v. Damion Ray Birge & Jesse Jahner, 478 P.3d 1144 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 10× “The officers then asked RC if she had ever physically disciplined KJC.”
Jose Maldonado v. Noemi Lucero Maldonado, 391 P.3d 546 (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “) In the oral ruling, the court found that Noemi inflicted the bruise on NL while disciplining her and concluded that because inflicting a bruise was not reasonable discipline under RCW 9A.16.100, Noemi’s act constituted domestic violence as to NL; hence, a protection order…”
State v. Madarash, 116 Wash. App. 500 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 3× “Madarash further argues that the evidence is insufficient to show that she engaged in a pattern or practice of assault because her “disciplinary” actions were not unreasonable under RCW 9A.16.100. Under that statute, the following actions are presumed unreasonable when used to…”
Commonwealth v. Dorvil, 32 N.E.3d 861 (Mass. 2015). · cites it 2× “§ 703-309 (prohibiting “throwing, kicking, burning, biting, cutting, striking with a closed fist, shaking a minor under three years of age, interfering with breathing, or threatening with a deadly weapon”); Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.100 (permitting force “when it is reasonable and…”
Hamilton v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 109 Wash. App. 718 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “020(12) defines “abuse or neglect” as “the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health, welfare, and safety is harmed, excluding conduct permitted under RCW…”
State v. Brown, 802 P.2d 803 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.16.100 states as follows: It is the policy of this state to protect children from assault and abuse and to encourage parents, teachers, and their authorized agents to use methods of correction and restraint of children that are not dangerous to the children.”
In Re Jf, 37 P.3d 1227 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “020(12) defines "abuse or neglect" as "the injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare, and safety is harmed, excluding conduct permitted under RCW…”
Crystal Ugolini v. Frank Ugolini, 453 P.3d 1027 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 8× “Because the trial court failed to enter findings whether the discipline exceeded that allowed under RCW 9A.”
State v. Gower, 321 P.3d 1178 (Wash. 2014). “because the victim “provided too little detail to credit her account as proof beyond a reasonable doubt” and acquitted him of second degree assault with sexual motivation on the ground the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the spanking in question “was not…”
State v. Kinchen, 963 P.2d 928 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “2d Parent and Child § 24 (1971); see also RCW 9A.16.100. 9 See RCW 26.44.010; State v.”
State v. Russell, 848 P.2d 743 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “"(2) As used in this section, "dependent adult" means a person who, because of physical or mental disability, or because of extreme advanced age, is dependent upon another person to provide the basic necessities of life. "(3) Homicide by abuse is a class A felony.”
Show all 41 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.100(1) — 3 cases
State v. Baxter, 141 P.3d 92 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
Christine Crabtree, V. Donald Crabtree (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
L.g., V. Wa State Dcyf, Et Ano (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
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