A law enforcement officer may take, or cause to be taken, a child into custody without a court order if there is probable cause to believe that the child is abused or neglected

RCW 26.44.050 Abuse or neglect of child — Duty of law enforcement agency or department of social and health services — Taking child into custody without court order, when. (Effective until December 1, 2013.)

Upon the receipt of a report concerning the possible occurrence of abuse or neglect, the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services must investigate and provide the protective services section with a report in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW, and where necessary to refer such report to the court.

     A law enforcement officer may take, or cause to be taken, a child into custody without a court order if there is probable cause to believe that the child is abused or neglected and that the child would be injured or could not be taken into custody if it were necessary to first obtain a court order pursuant to RCW 13.34.050. The law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services investigating such a report is hereby authorized to photograph such a child for the purpose of providing documentary evidence of the physical condition of the child.

[1999 c 176 § 33. Prior: 1987 c 450 § 7; 1987 c 206 § 5; 1984 c 97 § 5; 1981 c 164 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 291 § 51; 1977 ex.s. c 80 § 28; 1975 1st ex.s. c 217 § 5; 1971 ex.s. c 302 § 15; 1969 ex.s. c 35 § 5; 1965 c 13 § 5.]

Notes:

Findings -- Purpose -- Severability -- Conflict with federal requirements -- 1999 c 176: See notes following RCW 74.34.005.      Severability -- 1984 c 97: See RCW 74.34.900.      Effective dates -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 291: See notes following RCW 13.04.005.      Purpose -- Intent -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 80: See notes following RCW 4.16.190.      Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 302: See note following RCW 9.41.010.

RCW 26.44.050

Abuse or neglect of child — Duty of law enforcement agency or department of social and health services — Taking child into custody without court order, when. (Effective December 1, 2013.)

Except as provided in RCW 26.44.030(11), upon the receipt of a report concerning the possible occurrence of abuse or neglect, the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services must investigate and provide the protective services section with a report in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW, and where necessary to refer such report to the court.

     A law enforcement officer may take, or cause to be taken, a child into custody without a court order if there is probable cause to believe that the child is abused or neglected and that the child would be injured or could not be taken into custody if it were necessary to first obtain a court order pursuant to RCW 13.34.050. The law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services investigating such a report is hereby authorized to photograph such a child for the purpose of providing documentary evidence of the physical condition of the child.

[2012 c 259 § 5; 1999 c 176 § 33. Prior: 1987 c 450 § 7; 1987 c 206 § 5; 1984 c 97 § 5; 1981 c 164 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 291 § 51; 1977 ex.s. c 80 § 28; 1975 1st ex.s. c 217 § 5; 1971 ex.s. c 302 § 15; 1969 ex.s. c 35 § 5; 1965 c 13 § 5.]

Notes:

Effective date -- 2012 c 259 §§ 1 and 3-10: See note following RCW 26.44.020.      Family assessment response evaluation -- Family assessment response survey -- 2012 c 259: See notes following RCW 26.44.260.      Findings -- Purpose -- Severability -- Conflict with federal requirements -- 1999 c 176: See notes following RCW 74.34.005.      Severability -- 1984 c 97: See RCW 74.34.900.      Effective dates -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 291: See notes following RCW 13.04.005.      Purpose -- Intent -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 80: See notes following RCW 4.16.190.      Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 302: See note following RCW 9.41.010.