(1)(a) The state of Washington recognizes the authority of Indian tribes within the state to license agencies, located within the boundaries of a federally recognized Indian reservation, to receive children for control, care, and maintenance outside their own homes, or to place, receive, arrange the placement of, or assist in the placement of children for foster care or adoption.

(b) The state of Washington recognizes the ability of the Indian tribes within the state to enter into agreements with the state to license agencies located on or near the federally recognized Indian reservation or, for those federally recognized tribes that do not have a reservation, then on or near the federally designated service delivery area, to receive children for control, care, and maintenance outside their own homes, or to place, receive, arrange the placement of, or assist in the placement of children for foster care.

(c) The department and state licensed child-placing agencies may place children in tribally licensed facilities if the requirements of *RCW 74.15.030 (2)(b) and (3) and supporting rules are satisfied before placing the children in such facilities by the department or any state licensed child-placing agency.

(2) The department may enter into written agreements with Indian tribes within the state to define the terms under which the tribe may license agencies pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The agreements shall include a definition of what are the geographic boundaries of the tribe for the purposes of licensing and may include locations on or near the federally recognized Indian reservation or, for those federally recognized tribes that do not have a reservation, then on or near the federally designated service delivery area.

(3) The department and its employees are immune from civil liability for damages arising from the conduct of agencies licensed by a tribe.

*Reviser's note: RCW 74.15.030(2)(b) was amended by 2007 c 387 s 5, changing the scope of the subsection.

Severability—1987 c 170: See note following RCW 13.04.030.