(1) A youth who has reached age eighteen years may request extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 at any time before he or she reaches the age of twenty-one years if:

(a) The dependency proceeding of the youth was dismissed pursuant to RCW 13.34.267(4) at the time that he or she reached age eighteen years; or

(b) The court, after holding the dependency case open pursuant to RCW 13.34.267(1), has dismissed the case because the youth became ineligible for extended foster care services.

(2)(a) Upon a request for extended foster care services by a youth pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, a determination that the youth is eligible for extended foster care services, and the completion of a voluntary placement agreement, the department shall provide extended foster care services to the youth.

(b) In order to continue receiving extended foster care services after entering into a voluntary placement agreement with the department, the youth must agree to the entry of an order of dependency within one hundred eighty days of the date that the youth is placed in extended foster care pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement.

(3) A youth may enter into a voluntary placement agreement for extended foster care services. A youth may transition among the eligibility categories identified in RCW 74.13.031 while under the same voluntary placement agreement, provided that the youth remains eligible for extended foster care services during the transition.

(4) “Voluntary placement agreement,” for the purposes of this section, means a written voluntary agreement between a nonminor dependent who agrees to submit to the care and authority of the department for the purposes of participating in the extended foster care program.

Effective date—2018 c 34: See note following RCW 13.34.267.

Findings—Recommendations—Application—2013 c 332: See notes following RCW 13.34.267.