HB 2028 amends RCW 13.34.145 in regard to permanency hearings for dependent children. Particularly, subsection (10) is amended to include that prior to the second permanency planning hearing for the child, DCYF must contract with a mental health professional in order to conduct a bonding and best interest assessment.
A “bonding and best interest assessment” is defined as one that assesses the child’s behavior and interactions with a current placement provider and any proposed placement provider in order to determine the possible effects on the child if there is a change in the child’s placement.