🚨EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP in WA Let's unpack the massive 🚩red flags 🚩this 43 page bill - WA is taking the next step to give themselves the upper hand in the coparenting relationship. SB 5837 is a BIPARTISAN bill sponsored by Senator Pedosen and Senator Holy. As with all
🚩🚩🚩IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY GUARIDANSHIP The terms for "health, safety, and welfare" are broadly defined in this bill allowing a judge to appoint an EMERGENCY guardian to facilitate care - ie: "gender affirming care" or abortion which are protected healthcare in WA (see HB 1469
🚩🚩🚩Broad discretion for courts to limit parental involvement - RCW 26.09.191 sets mandatory and discretionary limitations in parenting plans. This gives judges discretionary power to decide what constitutes "harm" or "emotional abuse." Keep in mind...WA state is a HUGE trans
🚩🚩🚩The [captured] courts MUST appoint an attorney for a minor 12 or older if the parents oppose the guardianship and have a lawyer. SB 5837 provides the legal tools for minors to override their parents when "gender affirming care" (or any other child "right") is contested. 4/
🚩🚩🚩SB 5837 requires ("Shall" = required) the court to appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) or court visitor and gives them broad investigative authority over family circumstances. In the context of a bill like SB 5599 where the parents may object to gender services, the GAL
BOTTOM LINE: this "BIPARTISAN" bill will become law in WA. If you have children, "stay and fight" is a dangerous game you're playing. Bill text: