WA State guarantees counsel for children in termination cases
While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing
appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a
statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court
decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes
precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is
discretionary).
05/10/2021,
Legislation, Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
In 2021, the Washington State Legislature enacted HB 1219, which guarantees appointed counsel for children in dependency and termination of parental rights cases. The right will be phased in over 6 years and coordinated through the state's Office of CIvil Legal Aid.
If "yes",
the established right to counsel or
discretionary appointment of counsel
is
limited
in some way, including any of: the only authority
is a
lower/intermediate court decision or a city council,
not a high court or state legislature; there
has been
a subsequent case that
has
cast doubt; a statute
is
ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment
is not
for all types of individuals or proceedings
within that category.
categorical
no
|
The NCCRC filed supportive testimony and has worked with advocates on this issue for many years.
|
