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SB2678Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Child Welfare Services.

IntroducedSenate Ways and Means

Introduced by Karl Rhoads, District 13

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Establishes a working group within the Judiciary to improve family court processes, including access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Where it stands

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

February 20, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · February 12, 2026

3

Yes

0

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

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See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Absent
Stanley Chang9Absent
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Yes

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to JDC, WAM.

  4. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on JDC deferred the measure until 02-12-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  6. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura.

  7. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2501) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

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