Washington § 46.61.507 - Arrest upon driving under the influence or being in physical control of vehicle under the influence, notation required if child is present — Arrest upon drug or alcohol-related driving offense, child protective services notified if child is present and operator is child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.507 — Arrest upon driving under the influence or being in physical control of vehicle under the influence, notation required if child is present — Arrest upon drug or alcohol-related driving offense, child protective services notified if child is present and operator is child's parent, guardian, or custodian., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 46.61.507. Arrest upon driving under the influence or being in physical control of vehicle under the influence, notation required if child is present — Arrest upon drug or alcohol-related driving offense, child protective services notified if child is present and operator is child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

(1) In every case where a person is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, the law enforcement officer shall make a clear notation if a child under the age of sixteen was present in the vehicle.
(2) A law enforcement officer shall promptly notify child protective services whenever a child is present in a vehicle being driven by his or her parent, guardian, legal custodian, or sibling or half-sibling and that person is being arrested for a drug or alcohol-related driving offense. This section does not require law enforcement to take custody of the child unless there is no other responsible person, or an agency having the right to physical custody of the child that can be contacted, or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the child should be taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050.
(3) For purposes of this section, "child" means any person under sixteen years of age.
[ 2012 c 42 s 1; 2010 c 214 s 1.]

Notes

Reviser's note: The same language introduced by 2010 c 214 s 1 was codified under RCW 26.44.250 pursuant to 2010 c 214 s 2. However, the amendments made to this section pursuant to 2012 c 42 s 1 were not duplicated in RCW 26.44.250.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Related Washington Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 46.61.507

What does Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.507 cover?

Section 46.61.507 ("Arrest upon driving under the influence or being in physical control of vehicle under the influence, notation required if child is present — Arrest upon drug or alcohol-related driving offense, child protective services notified if child is present and operator is child's parent, guardian, or custodian.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 46.61.507?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.507" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 46.61.507 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.