Bill > SB5783

This bill prohibits the use of an individual's vaccination status in various legal and administrative proceedings related to guardianship, child custody, adoption, and child welfare. Specifically, the bill prevents courts and administrative bodies from admitting vaccination status as evidence or considering it as a factor when making decisions in guardianship petitions for minors or incapacitated adults, child custody and support matters, adoption evaluations, and child welfare cases. The legislation applies to multiple chapters of Washington state law (11.130 RCW, 26.09 RCW, 26.33 RCW, and 26.44 RCW), ensuring that a person's vaccination status cannot be used to influence decisions about guardianship, parental rights, visitation, or adoption. The bill includes a severability clause, meaning that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act remains in effect, and it contains an emergency clause, which means it will take effect immediately upon becoming law. The primary intent appears to be preventing discrimination or bias based on an individual's vaccination history in legal proceedings involving families and children.

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5783&Year=2025&Initiative=false