# WAC 110-30-0020: WAC 110-30-0020. Definitions

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0020

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 110-30-0020
- **Heading:** WAC 110-30-0020. Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 110 / Chapter 110-30 / Section 110-30-0020

## Text

The following definitions apply to this chapter.
"Abuse or neglect" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
"Administrative hearing" means a hearing held before an administrative law judge and conducted according to chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter 110-03 WAC.
"Administrative law judge (ALJ)" means an impartial decision-maker who is an attorney and presides over an adjudicative proceeding resulting in an initial order, or resulting in a final order if no appeal of the initial order is properly made or if no further agency appeal is available.
"Alleged perpetrators" means individuals identified in CPS referrals as being responsible for the alleged abuse or neglect of children or youth.
"Alternative response system" means a contracted provider in a local community that responds to accepted CPS referrals that are rated low or moderately low risk at the time of intake.
"Appellants" means individuals who request administrative hearings to appeal CPS findings.
"Behavioral health services" means the same as defined in RCW 71.24.025 .
"Child protection team (CPT)" means a multidisciplinary group of individuals with at least four from professions that provide services to abused or neglected children or youth and their parents or guardians.
"Child protective services (CPS)" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
"Department" or "DCYF" means the Washington state department of children, youth, and families.
"Findings" means the final decisions made by the department after investigations regarding alleged abuse or neglect of children or youth.
"Founded" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
"Host homes" means the same as defined in RCW 74.15.020 .
"Inconclusive" means the determination following an investigation by CPS, prior to October 1, 2008, that based on available information a decision cannot be made that more likely than not, abuse or neglect of children or youth did or did not occur
abuse or neglect of children or youth.
"Founded" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
"Host homes" means the same as defined in RCW 74.15.020 .
"Inconclusive" means the determination following an investigation by CPS, prior to October 1, 2008, that based on available information a decision cannot be made that more likely than not, abuse or neglect of children or youth did or did not occur. Beginning October 1, 2008, the department no longer makes inconclusive findings, but retains such findings made prior to that date as provided in these rules.
"Licensing division (LD)" means the division within the department that supports child safety and well-being through licensing, monitoring compliance, investigations, and technical assistance to individuals and agencies that provide direct care for children and youth outside the care of their parents or guardians.
"Mandated reporters" means individuals required to report alleged abuse or neglect of children or youth as outlined in RCW 26.44.030 .
"Preponderance of evidence" means the evidence presented in hearings that indicate more likely than not the abuse or neglect of children or youth did occur.
"Residential private schools" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.210 .
"Screened-out report" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
"Substance use disorder" means the same as defined in RCW 71.24.025 .
"Unfounded" means the same as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 110-30-0010 WAC 110-30-0010. What is the child protective services program?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0010.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0020 WAC 110-30-0020. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0020.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0030 WAC 110-30-0030. Abuse or neglect of children and youth](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0030.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0040 WAC 110-30-0040. What is child abandonment?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0040.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0050 WAC 110-30-0050. Who may receive child protective services?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0050.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0060 WAC 110-30-0060. What is the responsibility of CPS regarding reports of abuse or neglect?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0060.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0070 WAC 110-30-0070. How does CPS respond to reports of alleged child abuse or neglect?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0070.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0080 WAC 110-30-0080. What special requirements must CPS follow for Indian children?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0080.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0090 WAC 110-30-0090. What information may CPS share with mandated reporters?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0090.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0100 WAC 110-30-0100. When will CPS involve local community resources?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0100.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0110 WAC 110-30-0110. Under what circumstances may CPS place a child in out-of-home care?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0110.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0120 WAC 110-30-0120. When will CPS involve the juvenile court?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0120.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0130 WAC 110-30-0130. What are the department's responsibilities regarding notification of the parent or legal custodian in child protective services cases?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0130.md)
- [WAC 110-30-0140 WAC 110-30-0140. When must the department notify the parent, guardian or legal custodian of allegations of child abuse or neglect made against them?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0140.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_110_30_0020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
