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WashingtonSB 50322025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Expanding the duties of the office of the family and children's ombuds to include juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the department of children, youth, and families.

Sponsored By: Claire Wilson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More oversight for youth in state care

Washington’s family and children’s ombuds now oversees juvenile rehabilitation and other covered services of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This includes people receiving department services in state care and covered state-licensed facilities or residences. The office sits within the Governor’s office, reports directly to the Governor, and works independently of the department secretary. It explains service rights, investigates complaints about improper agency actions, reviews facilities, and recommends improvements. The department must allow private talks with people in its custody, facility visits, and access to relevant requested records. It must also provide unrestricted online access to child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and department data systems. The ombuds can adopt rules and decline investigations under those rules. Its new duties exclude children in specified early learning programs and licensed child care centers or homes. Annual reports go to the Governor and department oversight board by November 1; the board gets records unless disclosure is prohibited. The law took effect July 27, 2025. Its funding clause required specific funding referencing the act in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025, to avoid becoming void.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/19/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 348, 2025 Laws.

    5/19/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/19/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/11/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/28/2025Senate

  17. ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/26/2025Senate

  18. ELHS - Majority; do pass.

    3/26/2025Senate

  19. First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.

    3/12/2025Senate

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/10/2025Senate

  21. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/10/2025Senate

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2025Senate

  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/28/2025Senate

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/27/2025Senate

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

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