Foster home placement — Considerations.
RCW 13.34.265
in effectIf a child has been previously placed in out-of-home care and is subsequently returned to out-of-home care, and the department cannot locate an appropriate and available relative or other suitable person, the preferred placement for the child is in a foster family home where the child previously was placed, if the following conditions are met: (1) The foster family home is available and willing to care for the child; (2) The foster family is appropriate and able to meet the child's needs; and (3) The placement is in the best interest of the child.
If a child has been previously placed in out-of-home care and is subsequently returned to out-of-home care, and the department cannot locate an appropriate and available relative or other suitable person, the preferred placement for the child is in a foster family home where the child previously was placed, if the following conditions are met:
(1) The foster family home is available and willing to care for the child;
(2) The foster family is appropriate and able to meet the child's needs; and
(3) The placement is in the best interest of the child.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=13.34&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026