SB 6319 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the extension of time for certain child welfare cases for children under the age of four.

SB 6319 requires Washington's child welfare department to create a community-based referral system for families with children under four where parental use of high-potency synthetic opioids is a factor in a child welfare case. The bill mandates that families receive referrals to substance use treatment, peer navigators, and other support services within seven days of a risk assessment, with services available for six months regardless of case status. Participation in these services must be voluntary, requiring written consent from parents or guardians. The department must develop this system by January 2027 and report on its implementation and impact by November 2027. This bill directly affects vulnerable families in child welfare cases involving opioid use, focusing on connecting them to community resources rather than altering court timelines.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and its title was updated to reflect a new focus on creating a community referral pathway for high-risk families with young children affected by opioid use. The most significant change is the addition of a new section establishing a voluntary, community-based service program to support these families without requiring the removal of the child from the home. The original text, which detailed extensive child abuse reporting mandates and investigation timelines, was removed entirely, while the new text sets specific deadlines for developing this referral system and reporting its impact to the legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from primarily detailing general child abuse reporting requirements and investigation timelines to focusing specifically on creating a new community-based referral pathway for high-risk families with children under four affected by high-potency synthetic opioids.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the original text detailing general child abuse reporting duties for various professionals, specific investigation timeframes (90 days), and family assessment procedures.

Added a new requirement for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop a community-based referral pathway by January 1, 2027, connecting high-risk families with services like substance use treatment and peer navigators.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of November 1, 2027, for the department to submit a report to the legislature on the processes developed and their impact.

ELIGIBILITY

Defined eligibility for the new services as families with children under four where parental use of high-potency synthetic opioids is a factor in the case.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's primary focus from general child welfare reporting to a specific intervention strategy for opioid-involved cases involving young children.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor