Developing a schedule for court appointment of attorneys for children and youth in dependency and termination proceedings.

Court lawyers for children roll out slower

Washington’s program provides appointed lawyers for children in dependency cases, where courts decide their care and safety. The law extends the county-by-county rollout from seven to 11 years, delaying full access. The program cannot add more than 1,250 cases per fiscal year. Required coverage includes at least three counties by July 1, 2022; eight by January 1, 2023; 15 by January 1, 2024; and 20 by January 1, 2025. It must reach at least 30 counties by January 1, 2030, and 36 by January 1, 2031. Full statewide coverage is required by January 1, 2032. Appointments depend on money set aside for this purpose. The act lists July 27, 2025, as its effective date. It is null and void without funding explicitly identifying it by bill or chapter in the omnibus budget by June 30, 2025. Rollout priorities include counties lacking appointed lawyers or showing significant racial disparities, plus keeping existing lawyers for children already represented. Courts can appoint lawyers on their own or at a parent’s, child’s, guardian ad litem’s, caregiver’s, or department’s request. Referrals can also start public appointments for children without appointed or privately retained lawyers, with confidentiality protections. Starting at age 12, the department and guardian ad litem must explain and document each unrepresented child’s right to request a lawyer. They must record the child’s wishes and repeat notice annually and at motions affecting placement, services, or family relationships. Courts must check notification at the first regular hearing after age 12 or a petition filed at age 12 or older. They must check again after age 15 unless the child already has a lawyer. The state also funds qualifying appointed lawyers after termination of parental rights when no parent retains rights, but excludes related appeals. The Office of Civil Legal Aid oversees implementation; the statewide program recruits, trains, and oversees lawyers under professional rules, practice standards, caseload limits, and training guidelines.