Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGLO 1977 NO. 33 >

While the provisions of chapter 291, Laws of 1977, 1st Ex. Sess., relating to juvenile offenders, do not impliedly amend or repeal so much of § 1, chapter 259, Laws of 1977, 1st Ex. Sess., as requires the fingerprinting of juveniles adjudged to be delinquent based upon conduct which would be a felony if committed by an adult, one result of chapter 291, when it goes into effect on July 1, 1978, will be the elimination of that particular classification of individuals (i.e., a juvenile found to be delinquent) upon which chapter 259 will, in the meantime, operate; accordingly, on and after July 1, 1978, the fingerprinting of juvenile offenders will be permissive rather than mandatory.

AGO 1991 NO. 34 >

1.  A school district has the authority to purchase real estate not needed for immediate or future school purposes in order to eliminate a potential health risk and liability stemming from the property.  2.  In purchasing the property a district cannot pay more than the fair market value of the property, unless the district is receiving additional consideration, e.g., seller will provide something in addition to the title to the property such as demolishing structures on the property.  3.  A district may accept donations designated to pay the difference between the appraisal price of the property and the selling price.

AGLO 1976 NO. 37 >

RCW 26.44.053(3) does not require that a parent or other person having legal custody of a child who has been reported as abused or neglected be made a "party" to a preliminary investigation by the state department of social and health services (including an interview with the child) conducted under RCW 26.44.050 for the purpose of verifying the substance of the report.

AGLO 1974 NO. 40 >

A parent who has been deprived by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction of custody of a deceased Vietnam veteran who would have been eligible for a veteran's bonus under RCW 73.34.020 is not entitled to receive survivor's benefits under subsection (3) thereof; however, such a parent may, as another other person, apply for and receive compensation for burial expenses under RCW 73.34.110.

AGLO 1974 NO. 53 >

Even though a stepfather is now obligated under chapter 207, Laws of 1969, Ex. Sess., to furnish necessary food, clothing, shelter and medical attendance for his stepchildren, the natural father of those children may still be subjected to a criminal prosecution for nonsupport under RCW 26.20.030 for failing to make court ordered child support payments.

AGLO 1976 NO. 77 >

(1) The definition of "child abuse and neglect" contained in RCW 26.44.020 includes cases where the injury suffered is a mental as well as a physical injury and would also encompass cases of harm brought about by failure to provide adequate food, clothing or shelter. (2) The fact that Christian Science is specifically mentioned in RCW 26.44.020(3) does not mean that a parent or guardian practicing other religious beliefs, who thereby does not provide specified medical treatment for a child, is for that reason alone to be considered a negligent parent or guardian.