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Committee reports substitute for House Bill 2,660 after adopting tribe-requested amendment for ICWA compliance and 30-day reviews
Summary
Substitute House Bill 2,660, which authorizes courts to require parents to comply with conditions to maintain child safety after shelter-care hearings, was reported out with a due-pass recommendation after adoption of an amendment requiring least-restrictive conditions, 30-day reviews, and compliance with state and federal Indian Child Welfare Act provisions.
The Early Learning & Human Services Committee reported substitute House Bill 2,660 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that representatives said came from tribal stakeholders.
A committee presenter described HB 2,660 as authorizing a court to order a parent to comply with conditions necessary to maintain the safety of a child under age 5 when the child is released or maintained in the parent’s care following a shelter-care hearing. Representative Ortiz Self explained that amendment Wickham 848, offered on behalf of tribes, modifies the bill to require that any conditions be the least restrictive necessary to preserve child safety, be reviewed every 30 days to determine continued necessity, and be identified by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families as consistent with and in compliance with the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). "This amendment came to us by the tribes... they wanted to make sure that state and federal Indian child welfare laws took precedent... and that the judge was also reviewing the situation every 30," Ortiz Self said.
Ranking Member Esselk asked whether the 30-day review had an end date; the presenter said the language states "every 30 days" and does not specify an explicit end date but noted typical fact-finding hearings occur around 75 days after filing so there could be approximately two reviews under that schedule.
Representative Dent and Representative Ortiz Self discussed the bill’s intent to address a rise in critical incidents and the need for more services, training, and supports; Dent said some members will oppose the bill while acknowledging shared commitment to children. The clerk announced a roll call of 9 ayes and 2 nays; substitute House Bill 2,660 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.
The committee’s adoption of the ICWA-focused amendment and the 30-day review language sends the substitute to the next legislative steps; the amendment does not specify an explicit termination date for the reviews.
