# RCW 26.12.170: RCW 26.12.170: Authority of family court judges and court commissioners to order or recommend services—Report by court of child abuse or neglect

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S170

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 26.12.170
- **Heading:** RCW 26.12.170: Authority of family court judges and court commissioners to order or recommend services—Report by court of child abuse or neglect
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 170

## Text

To facilitate and promote the purposes of this chapter, family court judges and court commissioners may order or recommend family court services, parenting seminars, drug and alcohol abuse evaluations and monitoring of the parties through public or private treatment services, other treatment services, the aid of physicians, psychiatrists, other specialists, or other services or may recommend the aid of the pastor or director of any religious denomination to which the parties may belong. If the court has reasonable cause to believe that a child of the parties has suffered abuse or neglect it may file a report with the proper law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services as provided in RCW 26.44.040 . Upon receipt of such a report the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services will conduct an investigation into the cause and extent of the abuse or neglect. The findings of the investigation may be made available to the court if ordered by the court as provided in RCW 42.56.210 (2). The findings shall be restricted to the issue of abuse and neglect and shall not be considered custody investigations.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 26.12.020 RCW 26.12.020: Designation of judge—Number of sessions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S020.md)
- [RCW 26.12.030 RCW 26.12.030: Transfer of cases to presiding judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S030.md)
- [RCW 26.12.070 RCW 26.12.070: Probation officers—Powers and duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S070.md)
- [RCW 26.12.080 RCW 26.12.080: Protection of privacy of parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S080.md)
- [RCW 26.12.170 RCW 26.12.170: Authority of family court judges and court commissioners to order or recommend services—Report by court of child abuse or neglect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S170.md)
- [RCW 26.12.172 RCW 26.12.172: Parenting seminars—Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S172.md)
- [RCW 26.12.175 RCW 26.12.175: Appointment of guardian ad litem—Independent investigation—Court-appointed special advocate program—Background information—Review of appointment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S175.md)
- [RCW 26.12.177 RCW 26.12.177: Guardians ad litem—Training—Registry—Subregistry—Selection—Substitution—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S177.md)
- [RCW 26.12.183 RCW 26.12.183: Guardian ad litem or investigator—Fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S183.md)
- [RCW 26.12.185 RCW 26.12.185: Guardian ad litem, special advocate, or investigator—Release of information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S185.md)
- [RCW 26.12.187 RCW 26.12.187: Guardian ad litem, special advocate, or investigator—Ex parte communications—Removal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S187.md)
- [RCW 26.12.188 RCW 26.12.188: Appointment of investigators—Training requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S188.md)
- [RCW 26.12.190 RCW 26.12.190: Family court jurisdiction as to pending actions—Use of family court services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S190.md)
- [RCW 26.12.205 RCW 26.12.205: Priority for proceedings involving children.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S205.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T26_C12_S170. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.