Text of WA SB 5620 (2026)

AN ACT Relating to codifying the rights of children and youth in 1 foster care; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; and creating 2 a new section. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: 4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that young people in 5 foster care will benefit from having a statutory declaration and 6 notification of certain rights. The statutory rights in this section 7 are not intended to limit or supersede other rights afforded to 8 children and youth in foster care. The legislature intends to improve 9 the health, well-being, and safety of children and youth in foster 10 care by declaring these rights. 11 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 12 RCW to read as follows: 13 (1) The department shall make efforts to ensure provision of the 14 following rights: 15 (a) The right to dignity and respect regardless of actual or 16 perceived race, ethnicity, culture, sex, sexual orientation, gender 17 identity, and gender expression, and freedom from discrimination in 18 accordance with applicable state and federal laws; 19 S-0942.1 SENATE BILL 5620 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senator Cleveland p. 1 SB 5620 (b) Placement with a foster care provider, where necessary, who 1 is aware of and understands the child's or youth's unique history as 2 it relates to the child's or youth's care and who possesses the 3 appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the child's or 4 youth's needs; 5 (c) Reasonable connections to the child's or youth's community 6 and supports, including communication and contact with people outside 7 the foster care system who are important to the child or youth, 8 unless otherwise limited by law or court order; 9 (d) Receipt of a free and appropriate education, access to 10 transportation to educational institutions, and an opportunity to 11 participate in sports and extracurricular, cultural, personal 12 enrichment, and social activities consistent with the child's or 13 youth's age and developmental level, including access to computer 14 technology and the internet as necessary for the child's or youth's 15 education; 16 (e) Personal belongings including wearing the child's or youth's 17 own clothing, having a safe place to store personal belongings, and 18 having personal belongings transported in appropriate luggage with 19 the child or youth during or shortly after a change of placement; and 20 (f) When 18 or older and leaving foster care, being provided with 21 the youth's birth certificate, social security card, immigration 22 documents, health insurance information, medical records, education 23 records, either a driver's license or a state-issued identicard, 24 written information including the youth's family history and contact 25 information for siblings, if appropriate, and proof of foster care. 26 (2) By September 1, 2025, the department shall produce and make 27 available to department staff a pamphlet containing the rights 28 afforded to youth in foster care and the responsibilities of the 29 department. At a minimum, the pamphlet must: 30 (a) Be concise, but provide references to resources and services 31 available to children and youth in care; 32 (b) At a minimum, describe the rights as articulated under this 33 chapter as well as any other relevant information; and 34 (c) Provide information on how to contact caseworkers in an 35 emergency. 36 p. 2 SB 5620 (3) The pamphlet required under this section must be made 1 available by the department to all foster youth as they enter care 2 and shall also be published on the department's website. 3 --- END --- p. 3 SB 5620