Putting the best interests of our children first

OLYMPIA – To put the best interests of our children first, Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, has proposed a bill that would honor the wishes of unadopted minor children who want to reunite with their parents.

“I want to ensure that the voices of our children are heard and to allow for the preservation of parent-child relationships,” Rockefeller said. “In cases where a child is no longer at risk of abuse or neglect and the child wants to reunite with his or her parent, our laws should not stand as barriers but should be pillars of support.”

Rockefeller is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5452, which would provide for the reunification of a child with his or her parent after the termination of parental rights when the circumstances of a parent’s situation has changed and it is the child’s preference. This bill would allow a child who has not been adopted after three years in the state’s care to petition the court for reinstatement of the former parent’s parental rights.

“When there is no risk to the child’s health, welfare or safety, a child should be allowed to be with his or her parent,” Rockefeller said.

SB 5452 awaits a hearing before the Human Services & Corrections Committee.

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