Washington State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Volunteer Application Form

Definitions for Applicant Background Disclosure – Appendix A

Washington State Cooperative Extension takes seriously its obligation to provide a safe atmosphere for all persons involved in youth activities. As you know, child abuse is of increasing concern to everyone. The purpose of this disclosure form is to implement the Washington Child and Adult abuse Information Act (Chapter 486, Laws of 1987). It is not our intent to discourage volunteers–after all, Cooperative Extension depends upon your support. We do wish, however, to do what we can to assure the well-being of youth participants.
The following RCW definitions are provided to accompany Part B of the WSU Extension Volunteer Application Form “Background Disclosure.” Item# refers to the specific YES or NO question on the application. Complete index and listings of all RCWs can be found at the Washington State Legislature web site (http://www.leg.wa.gov/RC’WJ)

Item #3:

43.43.830(5): “Crime against children or other persons” means a conviction of any of the following offenses: Aggravated murder, first or second degree murder; first or second degree kidnapping; first, second, or third degree assault; first, second, or third degree assault of a child; first, second, or third degree rape; first, second, or third degree rape of a child; first or second degree robbery; first degree arson; first degree burglary; first or second degree manslaughter; first or second degree extortion; indecent liberties; incest; vehicular homicide; first degree promoting prostitution; communication with a minor; unlawful imprisonment; simple assault; sexual exploitation of minors; first or second degree criminal mistreatment; endangerment with a controlled substance; child abuse or neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020; first or second degree custodial interference; first or second degree custodial sexual misconduct; malicious harassment; first, second, or third degree child molestation; first or second degree sexual misconduct with a minor; patronizing a juvenile prostitute; child abandonment; promoting pornography; selling or distributing erotic material to a minor; custodial assault; violation of child abuse restraining order; child buying or selling; prostitution; felony indecent exposure; criminal abandonment; or any of these crimes as they may be renamed in the future.

Item #4:

13.34.040: Petition to court to deal with dependent child.

Any person may file with the clerk of the superior court a petition showing that there is within the county, or residing within the county, a dependent child and requesting that the superior court deal with such child as provided in this chapter. There shall be no fee for filing such petitions.

In counties having paid probation officers, these officers shall, to the extent possible, first determine if a petition is reasonably justifiable. Each petition shall be verified and contain a statement of facts constituting a dependency, and the names and residence, if known to the petitioner, of the parents, guardian, or custodian of the alleged dependent child.

Item #5:

26(44.050): Abuse or neglect of child — Duty of law enforcement agency or department of social and health services — Taking child into custody without court order, when. Upon the receipt of a report concerning the possible occurrence of abuse or neglect, the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services must investigate and provide the protective services section with a report in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW, and where necessary to refer such report to the court. A law enforcement officer may take, or cause to be taken, a child into custody without a court order if there is probable cause to believe that the child is abused or neglected and that the child would be injured or could not be taken into custody if it were necessary to first obtain a court order pursuant to RCW 13.34.050. The law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services investigating such a report is hereby authorized to photograph such a child for the purpose of providing documentary evidence of the physical condition of the child.

Item #7:

74.34(200): Abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult — Cause of action for damages — Legislative intent.

In addition to other remedies available under the law, a vulnerable adult who has been subjected to abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect either while residing in a facility or in the case of a person residing at home who receives care from a home health, hospice, or home care agency, or an individual provider, shall have a cause of action for damages on account of his or her injuries, pain and suffering, and loss of property sustained thereby. This action shall be available where the defendant is or was a corporation, trust, unincorporated association, partnership, administrator, employee, agent, officer, partner, or director of a facility, or of a home health, hospice, or home care agency licensed or required to be licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW, as now or subsequently designated, or an individual provider.

It is the intent of the legislature, however, that where there is a dispute about the care or treatment of a vulnerable adult, the parties should use the least formal means available to try to resolve the dispute. Where feasible, parties are encouraged but not mandated to employ direct discussion with the health care provider, use of the long-term care ombudsman or other intermediaries, and, when necessary, recourse through licensing or other regulatory authorities.

In an action brought under this section, a prevailing plaintiff shall be awarded his or her actual damages, together with the costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. The term “costs” includes, but is not limited to, the reasonable fees for a guardian, guardian ad litem, and experts, if any, that may be necessary to the litigation of a claim brought under this section.

April 2003