Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2596: Lost parenting time
Status: In committee, January 20, 2026
Restoring parenting time lost.
What the bill says
An act Relating to restoring parenting time lost due to unfounded allegations of child abuse or neglect made by one parent against the other; amending RCW 26.09.260, 26.09.191, and 26.44.100; adding a new section to chapter 26.09 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 2.56 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to restoring parenting time lost due to unfounded allegations of child abuse or neglect made by one parent against the other; amending RCW 26.09.260, 26.09.191, and 26.44.100; adding a new section to chapter 26.09 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 2.56 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 26.09 RCW to read as follows: (1) For the purposes of this (b) "Denied parent" means a parent whose court-ordered residential time under a parenting plan was temporarily reduced, suspended, denied, or restricted, in whole or in part, due to an allegation of child abuse or neglect (ii) triggered an investigation, protective order, or emergency custody action; and (iii) subsequently resulted in an unfounded outcome; (c) "Unfounded outcome" or (ii) A determination by law enforcement that an allegation of child abuse or neglect lacks probable cause or does not warrant further investigation. (2) A denied parent may file a motion to initiate an action for restoration of residential time lost by the denied parent due to an allegation of child abuse or neglect that was made by the alleging parent and subsequently resulted in an unfounded outcome. The denied parent may not be charged a filing fee for bringing the motion pursuant to this section. (3) The hearing on the motion brought …
Sponsors
- Stephanie McClintock (R) · primary sponsor
- John Ley (R)
Latest actions
- : First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
Subjects: DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Common questions
- What is HB2596?
- HB2596 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Lost parenting time.
- What does HB2596 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to restoring parenting time lost due to unfounded allegations of child abuse or neglect made by one parent against the other; amending RCW 26.09.260, 26.09.191, and 26.44.100; adding a new section to chapter 26.09 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 2.56 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2596?
- In committee as of January 20, 2026. Latest action: First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary. (January 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2596?
- Stephanie McClintock (R), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB2596?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2596&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.