Maintaining the safety of children.

SB 6236 modifies Washington state child dependency laws to strengthen emergency removal procedures and ensure timely court oversight. It requires specific evidence of imminent harm (including abuse, neglect, or high-potency opioid exposure) for immediate child removal and mandates a shelter care hearing within 72 hours to determine if a child can safely return home. The bill also clarifies parent notification requirements, ensures access to legal counsel for indigent parents, and prioritizes child safety as the court's paramount consideration. These changes directly affect child protective services, courts, parents, and children in dependency cases.