SB5533 • 2026

Domestic violence/custody

Concerning the custody of a child when a parent has a history of domestic violence.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Senator Fortunato, Senator Christian
Last action: 2026-01-12
Official status: S Law & Justice
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Domestic violence/custody

What This Bill Does

Domestic violence/custody

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-01-12 Senate
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Official Summary Text

Domestic violence/custody

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

AN ACT Relating to the custody of a child when a parent has a 1
history of domestic violence; and amending RCW 26.16.125.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 26.16.125 and 2008 c 6 s 640 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) Henceforth the rights and responsibilities of the parents in 6
the absence of misconduct (a) shall be equal, and one parent shall be 7
as fully entitled to the custody, control , and earnings of the 8
children as the other parent, and (b) in case of one parent's death, 9
the other parent shall come into full and complete control of the 10
children and their estate. 11
(2) Misconduct includes having a history of domestic violence, as 12
defined in RCW 10.99.020, against the child's living or deceased 13
parent.14
--- END ---
S-0120.1
SENATE BILL 5533
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Fortunato and Christian
Read first time 01/28/25. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
p. 1 SB 5533