Council reviews proposed local ordinance to criminalize child endangerment from controlled substances

At the Oct. 1 meeting the council heard a first reading of Ordinance 1584, proposed to make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly or recklessly permit a child or dependent person to have contact with a controlled substance, excluding cannabis. Staff materials cited the Washington State Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds' (OFCO) 2024 report: of 67 incidents examined, 20% of fatalities (16) and nearly 73% of near‑fatalities (51) involved accidental ingestions and overdoses in children; 45 incidents involved children 11 or younger.

Councilmember Jensen asked whether Pierce County's recent local ordinance would already cover Ruston, and invited police input. Police Chief Bautista said child endangerment tied to controlled substances has been uncommon within Ruston and is more prevalent in areas of the county with higher levels of drug abuse among unsheltered populations. Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Robnett indicated the county currently handles such prosecutions but cautioned future prosecutorial priorities could change, leaving Ruston without county-level coverage. The proposed local ordinance would add a Ruston Criminal Code section and allow penalties up to 364 days in jail or a maximum fine of $5,000.

The ordinance was presented for first reading; no adoption vote occurred Oct. 1. Council discussion indicated support for addressing a statutory gap but also asked staff for data about local incidence and enforcement implications before possible future action.