(1) In every case where a person is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, the law enforcement officer shall make a clear notation if a child under the age of sixteen was present in the vehicle.

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Terms Used In Washington Code 46.61.507

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(2) A law enforcement officer shall promptly notify child protective services whenever a child is present in a vehicle being driven by his or her parent, guardian, legal custodian, or sibling or half-sibling and that person is being arrested for a drug or alcohol-related driving offense. This section does not require law enforcement to take custody of the child unless there is no other responsible person, or an agency having the right to physical custody of the child that can be contacted, or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the child should be taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050.
(3) For purposes of this section, “child” means any person under sixteen years of age.

NOTES:

Reviser’s note: The same language introduced by 2010 c 214 § 1 was codified under RCW 26.44.250 pursuant to 2010 c 214 § 2. However, the amendments made to this section pursuant to 2012 c 42 § 1 were not duplicated in RCW 26.44.250.