RCW 26.09.138 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 138
RCW 26.09.138: Mandatory assignment of public retirement benefits—Remedies exclusive.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

(1) Any obligee of a court order or decree establishing a spousal maintenance obligation may seek a mandatory benefits assignment order under chapter 41.50 RCW if any spousal maintenance payment is more than fifteen days past due and the total of such past due payments is equal to or greater than one hundred dollars, or if the obligor requests a withdrawal of accumulated contributions from the department of retirement systems. (2) Any court order or decree establishing a spousal maintenance obligation may state that, if any spousal maintenance payment is more than fifteen days past due and the total of such past due payments is equal to or greater than one hundred dollars, or if the obligor requests a withdrawal of accumulated contributions from the department of retirement systems, the obligee may seek a mandatory benefits assignment order under chapter 41.50 RCW without prior notice to the obligor. Any such court order or decree may also, or in the alternative, contain a provision that would allow the department to make a direct payment of all or part of a withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to RCW 41.50.550 (3). Failure to include this provision does not affect the validity of the court order or decree establishing the spousal maintenance, nor does such failure affect the general applicability of RCW 41.50.500 through 41.50.650 to such obligations. (3) The remedies in RCW 41.50.530 through 41.50.630 are the exclusive provisions of law enforceable against the department of retirement systems in connection with any action for enforcement of a spousal maintenance obligation ordered pursuant to a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation, and no other remedy ordered by a court under this chapter shall be enforceable against the department of retirement systems for collection of spousal maintenance. (4)(a) Nothing in this section regarding mandatory assignment of benefits to enforce a spousal maintenance obligation shall abridge the right of an ex spouse to receive direct payment of retirement benefits payable pursuant to: (i) A court decree of dissolution or legal separation; or (ii) any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement; or (iii) incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation, if such dissolution orders fully comply with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700 , or as applicable, RCW 2.10.180 , 2.12.090 , * 41.04.310 , 41.04.320 , 41.04.330 , ** 41.26.180 , 41.32.052 , 41.40.052 , or 43.43.310 as those statutes existed before July 1, 1987, and as those statutes exist on and after July 28, 1991. (b) Persons whose dissolution orders as defined in RCW 41.50.500 (3) were entered between July 1, 1987, and July 28, 1991, shall be entitled to receive direct payments of retirement benefits to satisfy court-ordered property divisions if the dissolution orders filed with the department comply or are amended to comply with RCW 41.50.670 through 41.50.720 and, as applicable, RCW 2.10.180 , 2.12.090 , ** 41.26.180 , 41.32.052 , 41.40.052 , or 43.43.310 .
RCW 26.23.035 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 23 / Section 035
RCW 26.23.035: Distribution of support payments—Rules—Child support pass through.
Status: in_force

(1) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules for the distribution of support money collected by the division of child support. These rules shall: (a) Comply with Title IV-D of the federal social security act as amended by the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996 and the federal deficit reduction act of 2005; (b) Direct the division of child support to distribute support money within eight days of receipt, unless one of the following circumstances, or similar circumstances specified in the rules, prevents prompt distribution: (i) The location of the custodial parent is unknown; (ii) The support debt is in litigation; (iii) The division of child support cannot identify the responsible parent or the custodian; (c) Provide for proportionate distribution of support payments if the responsible parent owes a support obligation or a support debt for two or more Title IV-D cases; and (d) Authorize the distribution of support money, except money collected under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 664, to satisfy a support debt owed to the IV-D custodian before the debt owed to the state when the custodian stops receiving a public assistance grant. (2) The division of child support may distribute support payments to the payee under the support order or to another person who has lawful physical custody of the child or custody with the payee's consent. The payee may file an application for an adjudicative proceeding to challenge distribution to such other person. Prior to distributing support payments to any person other than the payee, the registry shall: (a) Obtain a written statement from the child's physical custodian, under penalty of perjury, that the custodian has lawful custody of the child or custody with the payee's consent; (b) Mail to the responsible parent and to the payee at the payee's last known address a copy of the physical custodian's statement and a notice which states that support payments will be sent to the physical custodian; and (c) File a copy of the notice with the clerk of the court that entered the original support order. (3) If the Washington state support registry distributes a support payment to a person in error, the registry may obtain restitution by means of a set-off against future payments received on behalf of the person receiving the erroneous payment, or may act according to RCW 74.20A.270 as deemed appropriate. Any set-off against future support payments shall be limited to amounts collected on the support debt and ten percent of amounts collected as current support. (4) Effective February 1, 2021, consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 657(a) as amended by section 7301(b)(7)(B) of the federal deficit reduction act of 2005, the department shall pass through child support that does not exceed fifty dollars per month collected on behalf of a family, or in the case of a family that includes two or more children an amount that is not more than one hundred dollars per month. The department has rule-making authority to implement this subsection.
RCW 26.19.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 19 / Section 020
RCW 26.19.020: Child support economic table.
Status: in_force

ECONOMIC TABLE MONTHLY BASIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION PER CHILD combined monthly net income one child family two children family For income less than $1000 the obligation is based upon the resources and living expenses of each household. Minimum support may not be less than $50 per child per month except when allowed by RCW 26.19.065 (2). 1000 216 167 1100 238 184 1200 260 200 1300 281 217 1400 303 234 1500 325 251 1600 346 267 1700 368 284 1800 390 301 1900 412 317 2000 433 334 2100 455 350 2200 477 367 2300 499 384 2400 521 400 2500 543 417 2600 565 433 2700 587 450 2800 609 467 2900 630 483 3000 652 500 3100 674 516 3200 696 533 3300 718 550 3400 740 566 3500 762 583 3600 784 599 3700 803 614 3800 816 624 3900 830 634 4000 843 643 4100 857 653 4200 867 660 4300 877 668 4400 887 675 4500 896 682 4600 906 689 4700 916 697 4800 927 705 4900 939 714 5000 951 723 5100 963 732 5200 975 741 5300 987 750 5400 999 759 5500 1011 768 5600 1023 777 5700 1030 782 5800 1036 786 5900 1042 791 6000 1048 795 6100 1054 800 6200 1061 804 6300 1067 809 6400 1073 813 6500 1081 819 6600 1096 830 6700 1111 842 6800 1126 853 6900 1141 864 7000 1156 875 7100 1170 886 7200 1185 898 7300 1200 909 7400 1212 918 7500 1222 925 7600 1231 932 7700 1241 939 7800 1251 946 7900 1261 953 8000 1270 960 8100 1280 968 8200 1290 975 8300 1299 981 8400 1308 987 8500 1316 994 8600 1325 1000 8700 1334 1007 8800 1343 1013 8900 1352 1019 9000 1361 1026 9100 1370 1032 9200 1379 1040 9300 1387 1047 9400 1396 1055 9500 1405 1062 9600 1414 1069 9700 1423 1077 9800 1432 1084 9900 1441 1092 10000 1451 1099 10100 1462 1107 10200 1473 1114 10300 1484 1122 10400 1495 1129 10500 1507 1136 10600 1518 1144 10700 1529 1151 10800 1539 1159 10900 1542 1161 11000 1545 1164 11100 1548 1166 11200 1551 1169 11300 1554 1172 11400 1556 1174 11500 1559 1177 11600 1562 1179 11700 1565 1182 11800 1568 1184 11900 1571 1187 12000 1573 1190 combined monthly net income three children family four children family five children family For income less than $1000 the obligation is based upon the resources and living expenses of each household. Minimum support may not be less than $50 per child per month except when allowed by RCW 26.19.065 (2). 1000 136 114 100 1100 150 125 110 1200 163 137 120 1300 177 148 130 1400 191 160 141 1500 204 171 151 1600 218 182 161 1700 231 194 171 1800 245 205 180 1900 258 216 190 2000 271 227 200 2100 285 239 210 2200 298 250 220 2300 311 261 230 2400 325 272 239 2500 338 283 249 2600 351 294 259 2700 365 305 269 2800 378 317 279 2900 391 328 288 3000 405 339 298 3100 418 350 308 3200 431 361 318 3300 444 372 328 3400 458 384 337 3500 471 395 347 3600 484 406 357 3700 496 416 366 3800 503 422 371 3900 511 428 377 4000 518 434 382 4100 526 440 388 4200 531 445 392 4300 537 450 396 4400 543 455 400 4500 548 459 404 4600 554 464 408 4700 559 469 412 4800 566 474 417 4900 573 480 422 5000 580 486 428 5100 587 492 433 5200 594 498 438 5300 602 504 443 5400 609 510 449 5500 616 516 454 5600 623 522 459 5700 627 525 462 5800 630 528 465 5900 634 531 467 6000 637 534 470 6100 641 537 472 6200 644 540 475 6300 648 543 477 6400 651 545 480 6500 656 549 483 6600 665 557 490 6700 674 564 497 6800 683 572 503 6900 692 579 510 7000 701 587 516 7100 710 594 523 7200 719 602 530 7300 727 609 536 7400 734 615 541 7500 740 620 545 7600 745 624 549 7700 751 629 554 7800 756 634 558 7900 762 638 562 8000 767 643 566 8100 773 647 570 8200 778 652 574 8300 783 656 577 8400 788 660 581 8500 793 664 584 8600 797 668 588 8700 802 672 591 8800 807 676 595 8900 812 680 599 9000 817 684 602 9100 822 689 606 9200 828 694 611 9300 835 699 616 9400 841 705 620 9500 848 710 625 9600 854 716 630 9700 861 721 635 9800 867 727 639 9900 874 732 644 10000 879 737 648 10100 885 741 652 10200 890 745 656 10300 895 750 660 10400 900 754 664 10500 906 759 668 10600 911 763 672 10700 916 767 675 10800 921 772 679 10900 924 774 681 11000 926 776 683 11100 928 778 684 11200 931 780 686 11300 933 782 688 11400 936 784 690 11500 938 786 692 11600 940 788 693 11700 943 790 695 11800 945 792 697 11900 948 794 699 12000 950 796 700 The economic table is presumptive for combined monthly net incomes up to and including twelve thousand dollars. When combined monthly net income exceeds twelve thousand dollars, the court may exceed the presumptive amount of support set for combined monthly net incomes of twelve thousand dollars upon written findings of fact.
RCW 26.34.060 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 34 / Section 060
RCW 26.34.060: Jurisdiction of courts.
Status: in_force

Any court having jurisdiction to place delinquent children may place such a child in an institution of or in another state pursuant to Article VI of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and shall retain jurisdiction as provided in Article V thereof.
RCW 26.21A.290 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 290
RCW 26.21A.290: Receipt and disbursement of payments.
Status: in_force

(1) A support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state shall disburse promptly any amounts received pursuant to a support order, as directed by the order. The agency or tribunal shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of another state or a foreign country a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amounts and dates of all payments received. (2) If neither the obligor, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the child resides in this state, upon request from the support enforcement agency of this state or another state, the support enforcement agency of this state or a tribunal of this state shall: (a) Direct that the support payment be made to the support enforcement agency in the state in which the obligee is receiving services; and (b) Issue and send to the obligor's employer a conforming income-withholding order or an administrative notice of change of payee, reflecting the redirected payments. (3) The support enforcement agency of this state receiving redirected payments from another state pursuant to a law similar to subsection (2) of this section shall furnish to a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received.
RCW 26.18.240 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 18 / Section 240
RCW 26.18.240: Extension of rights and responsibilities—Domestic partnerships.
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of chapter 26.21A RCW, any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or responsibility granted or imposed by chapter 26.21A RCW, the uniform interstate family support act, to or on an individual because the individual is or was married is granted or imposed on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, to or on an individual who is or was in a domestic partnership. (2) For the purposes of chapter 26.21A RCW, any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or responsibility granted or imposed by chapter 26.21A RCW, the uniform interstate family support act, to or on a spouse with respect to a child is granted or imposed on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, to or on a domestic partner with respect to a child.
RCW 37.12.060 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 060
RCW 37.12.060: Chapter limited in application.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the alienation, encumbrance, or taxation of any real or personal property, including water rights and tidelands, belonging to any Indian or any Indian tribe, band, or community that is held in trust by the United States or is subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States; or shall authorize regulation of the use of such property in a manner inconsistent with any federal treaty, agreement, or statute or with any regulation made pursuant thereto; or shall confer jurisdiction upon the state to adjudicate, in probate proceedings or otherwise, the ownership or right to possession of such property or any interest therein; or shall deprive any Indian or any Indian tribe, band, or community of any right, privilege, or immunity afforded under federal treaty, agreement, statute, or executive order with respect to Indian land grants, hunting, trapping, or fishing or the control, licensing, or regulation thereof.The court commissioners shall: (1) Make appropriate referrals to county family court services program if the county has a family court services program or appoint a guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 26.12.175 ; (2) order investigation and reporting of the facts upon which to base warrants, subpoenas, orders or directions in actions or proceedings under this chapter; (3) exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of court commissioners; (4) make written reports of all proceedings had which shall become a part of the record of the family court; (5) provide supervision over the exercise of its jurisdiction as the judge of the family court may order; (6) cause the orders and findings of the family court to be entered in the same manner as orders and findings are entered in cases in the superior court; (7) cause other reports to be made and records kept as will indicate the value and extent of reconciliation, mediation, investigation, and treatment services; and (8) conduct hearings under Title 13 and chapter 28A.225 RCW, as provided in RCW 13.04.021 .
RCW 26.26A.230 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 230
RCW 26.26A.230: Ratification of an unchallenged acknowledgment of parentage barred.
Status: in_force

A court conducting a judicial proceeding or an administrative agency conducting an administrative proceeding is not required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgment of parentage.
RCW 26.44.185 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 185
RCW 26.44.185: Investigation of child sexual abuse—Revision and expansion of protocols—Child fatality, child physical abuse, and criminal child neglect cases.
Status: in_force

(1) Each county shall revise and expand its existing child sexual abuse investigation protocol to address investigations of child fatality, child physical abuse, and criminal child neglect cases and to incorporate the statewide guidelines for first responders to child fatalities developed by the criminal justice training commission. The protocols shall address the coordination of child fatality, child physical abuse, and criminal child neglect investigations between the county and city prosecutor's offices, law enforcement, children's protective services, children's advocacy centers, where available, local advocacy groups, emergency medical services, and any other local agency involved in the investigation of such cases. The protocol shall include the handling of child forensic interview audio and video recordings in accordance with RCW 26.44.186 . The protocol revision and expansion shall be developed by the prosecuting attorney in collaboration with the agencies referenced in this section. (2) Revised and expanded protocols under this section shall be adopted and in place by July 1, 2008. Thereafter, the protocols shall be reviewed every two years to determine whether modifications are needed.
RCW 26.27.251 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 27 / Section 251
RCW 26.27.251: Simultaneous proceedings.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.27.231 , a court of this state may not exercise its jurisdiction under this article if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this chapter, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a more convenient forum under RCW 26.27.261 . (2) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.27.231 , a court of this state, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to RCW 26.27.281 . If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter does not determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of this state shall dismiss the proceeding. (3) In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may: (a) Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement; (b) Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or (c) Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.
RCW 26.27.921 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 27 / Section 921
RCW 26.27.921: Transitional provision.
Status: in_force

A motion or other request for relief made in a child custody proceeding or to enforce a child custody determination that was commenced before July 22, 2001, is governed by the law in effect at the time the motion or other request was made.
RCW 26.26B.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26B / Section 020
RCW 26.26B.020: Judgment or order determining parent and child relationship—Support judgment and orders—Residential provisions—Custody—Restraining orders—Notice of modification or termination of restraining order.
Status: in_force

(1) The judgment and order of the court determining the existence or nonexistence of the parent and child relationship shall be determinative for all purposes. (2) If the judgment and order of the court is at variance with the child's birth certificate, the court shall order that an amended birth certificate be issued. (3) The judgment and order shall contain other appropriate provisions directed to the appropriate parties to the proceeding, concerning the duty of current and future support, the extent of any liability for past support furnished to the child if that issue is before the court, the furnishing of bond or other security for the payment of the judgment, or any other matter in the best interest of the child. The judgment and order may direct one parent to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and childbirth. The judgment and order may include a continuing restraining order or injunction. In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of RCW 9.41.800 . (4) The judgment and order shall contain a provision that each party must file with the court and the Washington state child support registry and update as necessary the information required in the confidential information form required by RCW 26.23.050 . (5) Support judgment and orders shall be for periodic payments which may vary in amount. The court may limit the parent's liability for the past support to the child to the proportion of the expenses already incurred as the court deems just. The court shall not limit or affect in any manner the right of nonparties including the state of Washington to seek reimbursement for support and other services previously furnished to the child. (6) After considering all relevant factors, the court shall order either or both parents to pay an amount determined pursuant to the schedule and standards contained in chapter 26.19 RCW. (7) On the same basis as provided in chapter 26.09 RCW, the court shall make residential provisions with regard to minor children of the parties, except that a parenting plan shall not be required unless requested by a party. If a parenting plan or residential schedule was not entered at the time the order establishing parentage was entered, a parent may move the court for entry of a parenting plan or residential schedule: (a) By filing a motion and proposed parenting plan or residential schedule and providing notice to the other parent and other persons who have residential time with the child pursuant to a court order: PROVIDED, That at the time of filing the motion less than twenty-four months have passed since entry of the order establishing parentage and that the proposed parenting plan or residential schedule does not change the designation of the parent with whom the child spends the majority of time; or (b) By filing a petition for modification under RCW 26.09.260 or petition to establish a parenting plan, residential schedule, or residential provisions. (8) In any dispute between the persons claiming parentage of a child and a person or persons who have (a) commenced adoption proceedings or who have been granted an order of adoption, and (b) pursuant to a court order, or placement by the department of social and health services or by a licensed agency, have had actual custody of the child for a period of one year or more before court action is commenced by the persons claiming parentage, the court shall consider the best welfare and interests of the child, including the child's need for situation stability, in determining the matter of custody, and the parent or person who is more fit shall have the superior right to custody. (9) In entering an order under this chapter or chapter 26.26A RCW, the court may issue any necessary continuing restraining orders, including the restraint provisions of domestic violence protection orders or antiharassment protection orders under chapter 7.105 RCW. (10) Restraining orders issued under this section restraining or enjoining the person from molesting or disturbing another party, from going onto the grounds of or entering the home, workplace, or school of the other party or the day care or school of any child, or prohibiting the person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of a location, a protected party's person, or a protected party's vehicle, shall prominently bear on the front page of the order the legend: VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL NOTICE OF ITS TERMS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER CHAPTER 7.105 RCW AND WILL SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST. (11) The court shall order that any restraining order bearing a criminal offense legend, any domestic violence protection order, or any antiharassment protection order granted under this section be forwarded by the clerk of the court on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order. Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall forthwith enter the order into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants. The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state. (12) If a restraining order issued pursuant to this section is modified or terminated, the clerk of the court shall notify the law enforcement agency specified in the order on or before the next judicial day. Upon receipt of notice that an order has been terminated, the law enforcement agency shall remove the order from any computer-based criminal intelligence system.
RCW 26.12.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 020
RCW 26.12.020: Designation of judge—Number of sessions.
Status: in_force

In counties having more than one judge of the superior court the judges of such court shall annually, in the month of January, designate one or more of their number to hear all cases under this chapter. The judge or judges so designated shall hold as many sessions of the family court in each week as are necessary for the prompt disposition of matters before the court.
RCW 26.25.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 25 / Section 020
RCW 26.25.020: Cooperative agreements—Authorized.
Status: in_force

(1) The department of social and health services may enter into an agreement with an Indian tribe or tribal organization, which is within the state's borders and recognized by the federal government, for joint or cooperative action on child support services and child support enforcement. (2) In determining the scope and terms of the agreement, the department and the tribe should consider, among other factors, whether the tribe has an established tribal court system with the authority to establish, modify, or enforce support orders, establish paternity, or enter support orders in accordance with child support guidelines established by the tribe.
RCW 26.21A.106 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 106
RCW 26.21A.106: Duration of personal jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this chapter or other law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided by RCW 26.21A.120 , 26.21A.125 , and 26.21A.150 .
RCW 26.19.025 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 19 / Section 025
RCW 26.19.025: Quadrennial review of child support guidelines and child support review report—Work group membership—Report to legislature.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning in 2011 and every four years thereafter, the division of child support shall convene a work group to review the child support guidelines and the child support review report described in subsection (7) of this section, consider the data required under subsection (8) of this section, and determine if the application of the child support guidelines results in appropriate support orders. Membership of the work group shall be determined as provided in this subsection. (a) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate; (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives; (c) The governor, in consultation with the division of child support, shall appoint the following members: (i) The director of the division of child support; (ii) A professor of law specializing in family law; (iii) A representative from the Washington state bar association's family law executive committee; (iv) An economist; (v) A representative of the tribal community; (vi) Two representatives from the superior court judges' association, including a superior court judge and a court commissioner who is familiar with child support issues; (vii) A representative from the administrative office of the courts; (viii) A prosecutor appointed by the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys; (ix) A representative from legal services; (x) Three noncustodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interests of low-income, noncustodial parents; (xi) Three custodial parents, each of whom may be a representative of an advocacy group, an attorney, or an individual, with at least one representing the interests of low-income, custodial parents; and (xii) An administrative law judge appointed by the office of administrative hearings. (2) Appointments to the work group shall be made by December 1, 2010, and every four years thereafter. The governor shall appoint the chair from among the work group membership. (3) The division of child support shall provide staff support to the work group, and shall carefully consider all input received from interested organizations and individuals during the review process. (4) The work group may form an executive committee, create subcommittees, designate alternative representatives, and define other procedures, as needed, for operation of the work group. (5) Legislative members of the work group shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 44.04.120 . Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employee or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 . (6) By October 1, 2011, and every four years thereafter, the work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature, including recommendations for legislative action, if necessary. (7) The division of child support must prepare a child support review report for the use of each quadrennial work group. This report, along with the data described in subsection (8) of this section, must be used in the review of the child support guidelines to ensure that deviations from the guidelines are limited and guideline amounts are appropriate based on criteria established by the division of child support, as directed by relevant state and federal law. (8) During the quadrennial review, the data considered by the work group must include: (a) Economic data on the cost of raising children; labor market data by occupation and skill level for the state and local job markets including, but not limited to, unemployment rates, employment rates, hours worked, and earnings; the impact of the guidelines' policies and amounts on parents who have family incomes below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level; and factors that influence employment rates and compliance with child support orders among parents who are obligated to pay support; and (b) Case data, gathered through sampling or other methods, on the application of, and deviations from, the child support guidelines, as well as the rates of default and imputed child support orders and orders determined using the low-income adjustment. The analysis must also include a comparison of payments on child support orders by case characteristics, including whether the order was entered by default, based on imputed income, or determined using the low-income adjustment.
RCW 26.26A.440 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 440
RCW 26.26A.440: Adjudicating claim of de facto parentage of child.
Status: in_force

(1) A proceeding to establish parentage of a child under this section may be commenced only by an individual who: (a) Is alive when the proceeding is commenced; and (b) Claims to be a de facto parent of the child. (2) An individual who claims to be a de facto parent of a child must commence a proceeding to establish parentage of a child under this section: (a) Before the child attains eighteen years of age; and (b) While the child is alive. (3) The following rules govern standing of an individual who claims to be a de facto parent of a child to maintain a proceeding under this section: (a) The individual must file an initial verified pleading alleging specific facts that support the claim to parentage of the child asserted under this section. The verified pleading must be served on all parents and legal guardians of the child and any other party to the proceeding. (b) An adverse party, parent, or legal guardian may file a pleading in response to the pleading filed under (a) of this subsection. A responsive pleading must be verified and must be served on parties to the proceeding. (c) Unless the court finds a hearing is necessary to determine disputed facts material to the issue of standing, the court shall determine, based on the pleadings under (a) and (b) of this subsection, whether the individual has alleged facts sufficient to satisfy by a preponderance of the evidence the requirements of subsection (4)(a) through (g) of this section. If the court holds a hearing under this subsection, the hearing must be held on an expedited basis. (4) In a proceeding to adjudicate parentage of an individual who claims to be a de facto parent of the child, the court shall adjudicate the individual who claims to be a de facto parent to be a parent of the child if the individual demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that: (a) The individual resided with the child as a regular member of the child's household for a significant period; (b) The individual engaged in consistent caretaking of the child; (c) The individual undertook full and permanent responsibilities of a parent of the child without expectation of financial compensation; (d) The individual held out the child as the individual's child; (e) The individual established a bonded and dependent relationship with the child which is parental in nature; (f) Another parent of the child fostered or supported the bonded and dependent relationship required under (e) of this subsection; and (g) Continuing the relationship between the individual and the child is in the best interest of the child.
RCW 26.55.040 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 55 / Section 040
RCW 26.55.040: Filing of Canadian domestic violence protection order.
Status: in_force

(1) A person entitled to protection who has a Canadian domestic violence protection order may file that order by presenting a certified, authenticated, or exemplified copy of the Canadian domestic violence protection order to a clerk of the court of a Washington court according to RCW 7.105.075 . Any out-of-state department, agency, or court responsible for maintaining protection order records, may by facsimile or electronic transmission send a reproduction of the foreign protection order to the clerk of the court of Washington as long as it contains a facsimile or digital signature by any person authorized to make such transmission. (2) An individual filing a Canadian domestic violence protection order under this section shall also file a declaration signed under penalty of perjury stating that, to the best of the individual's knowledge, the order is valid and in effect. (3) On receipt of a certified, authenticated, or exemplified copy of a Canadian domestic violence protection order and declaration signed under penalty of perjury stating that, to the best of the individual's knowledge, the order is valid and in effect, the clerk of the court shall file the order in accordance with this section. (4) After a Canadian domestic violence protection order is filed under this section, the clerk of the court shall provide the individual filing the order a certified copy of the filed order. (5) A fee may not be charged for the filing of a Canadian domestic violence protection order under this section.
RCW 26.09.040 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 040
RCW 26.09.040: Petition to have marriage or domestic partnership declared invalid or judicial determination of validity—Procedure—Findings—Grounds—Legitimacy of children.
Status: in_force

(1) While both parties to an alleged marriage or domestic partnership are living, and at least one party is resident in this state or a member of the armed service and stationed in the state, a petition to have the marriage or domestic partnership declared invalid may be sought by: (a) Either or both parties, or the guardian of an incompetent spouse or incompetent domestic partner, for any cause specified in subsection (4) of this section; or (b) Either or both parties, the legal spouse or domestic partner, or a child of either party when it is alleged that either or both parties is married to or in a domestic partnership with another person. (2) If the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership is denied or questioned at any time, either or both parties to the marriage or either or both parties to the domestic partnership may petition the court for a judicial determination of the validity of such marriage or domestic partnership. (3) In a proceeding to declare the invalidity of a marriage or domestic partnership, the court shall proceed in the manner and shall have the jurisdiction, including the authority to provide for maintenance, a parenting plan for minor children, and division of the property of the parties, provided by this chapter. (4) After hearing the evidence concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership, if both parties to the alleged marriage or domestic partnership are still living, the court: (a) If it finds the marriage or domestic partnership to be valid, shall enter a decree of validity; (b) If it finds that: (i) The marriage or domestic partnership should not have been contracted because of age of one or both of the parties, lack of required parental or court approval, a prior undissolved marriage of one or both of the parties, a prior domestic partnership of one or both parties that has not been terminated or dissolved, reasons of consanguinity, or because a party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage or domestic partnership, either because of mental incapacity or because of the influence of alcohol or other incapacitating substances, or because a party was induced to enter into the marriage or domestic partnership by force or duress, or by fraud involving the essentials of marriage or domestic partnership, and that the parties have not ratified their marriage or domestic partnership by voluntarily cohabiting after attaining the age of consent, or after attaining capacity to consent, or after cessation of the force or duress or discovery of the fraud, shall declare the marriage or domestic partnership invalid as of the date it was purportedly contracted; (ii) The marriage or domestic partnership should not have been contracted because of any reason other than those above, shall upon motion of a party, order any action which may be appropriate to complete or to correct the record and enter a decree declaring such marriage or domestic partnership to be valid for all purposes from the date upon which it was purportedly contracted; (c) If it finds that a marriage or domestic partnership contracted in a jurisdiction other than this state, was void or voidable under the law of the place where the marriage or domestic partnership was contracted, and in the absence of proof that such marriage or domestic partnership was subsequently validated by the laws of the place of contract or of a subsequent domicile of the parties, shall declare the marriage or domestic partnership invalid as of the date of the marriage or domestic partnership. (5) Any child of the parties born or conceived during the existence of a marriage or domestic partnership of record is legitimate and remains legitimate notwithstanding the entry of a declaration of invalidity of the marriage or domestic partnership.
RCW 26.52.900 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 52 / Section 900
RCW 26.52.900: Short title—1999 c 184.
Status: in_force

This act may be known and cited as the foreign protection order full faith and credit act.
RCW 26.21A.425 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 425
RCW 26.21A.425: Contest by obligor.
Status: in_force

(1) An obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income-withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in this state by registering the order in a tribunal of this state and filing a contest to that order as provided in Article 6 of this chapter, or otherwise contesting the order in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this state. RCW 26.21A.515 applies to the contest. (2) The obligor shall give notice of the contest to: (a) A support enforcement agency providing services to the obligee; (b) Each employer that has directly received an income-withholding order relating to the obligor; and (c) The person designated to receive payments in the income-withholding order or, if no person or agency is designated, to the obligee.
RCW 26.09.197 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 197
RCW 26.09.197: Issuance of temporary parenting plan—Criteria.
Status: in_force

After considering the affidavit required by RCW 26.09.194 (1) and other relevant evidence presented, the court shall make a temporary parenting plan that is in the best interest of the child. In making this determination, the court shall give particular consideration to: (1) The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship with each parent; and (2) Which parenting arrangements will cause the least disruption to the child's emotional stability while the action is pending. The court shall also consider the factors used to determine residential provisions in the permanent parenting plan.
RCW 26.09.525 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 525
RCW 26.09.525: Substantially equal residential time.
Status: in_force

(1) If the person proposing relocation of a child has substantially equal residential time: (a) The presumption in RCW 26.09.520 does not apply; and (b) In determining whether to restrict a parent's right to relocate with a child or in determining a modification of the court order as defined in RCW 26.09.410 based on the proposed relocation, the court shall make a determination in the best interests of the child considering the factors set forth in RCW 26.09.520 . (2) For the purposes of this section and RCW 26.09.430 , "substantially equal residential time" includes arrangements in which forty-five percent or more of the child's residential time is spent with each parent. In determining the percentage, the court must (a) consider only time spent with parents and not any time ordered for nonparents under chapter 26.11 RCW; and (b) base its determination on the amount of time designated in the court order unless: (i) There has been an ongoing pattern of substantial deviation from the residential schedule; (ii) both parents have agreed to the deviation; and (iii) the deviation is not based on circumstances that are beyond either parent's ability to control.
RCW 26.44.272 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 272
RCW 26.44.272: Family assessment—Assessment for child safety and well-being—Referral to preschool, child care, or early learning programs—Communicating with and assisting families.
Status: in_force

(1) The family assessment response worker must assess for child safety and child well-being when collaborating with a family to determine the need for child care, preschool, or home visiting services and, as appropriate, the family assessment response worker must refer children to preschool programs that are enrolled in the early achievers program and rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 unless: (a) The family lives in an area with no local preschool programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program; (b) The local preschool programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program are not able to meet the needs of the child; or (c) The child is attending a preschool program prior to participating in family assessment response and the parent or caregiver does not want the child to change preschool programs. (2) The family assessment response worker may make child care referrals for nonschool-aged children to licensed child care programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program described in *RCW 43.215.100 unless: (a) The family lives in an area with no local programs that rate at level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program; (b) The local child care programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program are not able to meet the needs of the child; or (c) The child is attending a child care program prior to participating in family assessment response and the parent or caregiver does not want the child to change child care programs. (3) The family assessment response worker shall, when appropriate, provide referrals to high quality child care and early learning programs. (4) The family assessment response worker shall, when appropriate, provide referrals to state and federally subsidized programs such as, but not limited to, licensed child care programs that receive state subsidy pursuant to *RCW 43.215.135 ; early childhood education and assistance programs; head start programs; and early head start programs. (5) Prior to closing the family assessment response case, the family assessment response worker must, when appropriate, discuss child care and early learning services with the child's parent or caregiver. If the family plans to use child care or early learning services, the family assessment response worker must work with the family to facilitate enrollment.
RCW 26.21A.010 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 010
RCW 26.21A.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

In this chapter: (1) "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent. (2) "Child support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state or foreign country. (3) "Convention" means the convention on the international recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance, concluded at the Hague on November 23, 2007. (4) "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support. (5) "Foreign country" means a country, including a political subdivision thereof, other than the United States, that authorizes the issuance of support orders and: (a) Which has been declared under the law of the United States to be a foreign reciprocating country; (b) Which has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state as provided in RCW 26.21A.235 ; (c) Which has enacted a law or established procedures for the issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter; or (d) In which the convention is in force with respect to the United States. (6) "Foreign support order" means a support order of a foreign tribunal. (7) "Foreign tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity of a foreign country which is authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child. The term includes a competent authority under the convention. (8) "Home state" means the state or foreign country in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six months old, the state or foreign country in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other period. (9) "Income" includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this state. (10) "Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor, as defined by RCW 50.04.080 , to withhold support from the income of the obligor. (11) "Initiating tribunal" means the tribunal of a state or foreign country from which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded or in which a petition or comparable pleading is filed for forwarding to another state or foreign country. (12) "Issuing foreign country" means the foreign country in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (13) "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (14) "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal of a state or foreign country that issues a support order or a judgment determining parentage of a child. (15) "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and rules having the force of law. (16) "Obligee" means: (a) An individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage of a child has been issued; (b) A foreign country, state, or political subdivision of a state to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support; (c) An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child; or (d) A person that is a creditor in a proceeding under Article 7 of this chapter. (17) "Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a decedent that: (a) Owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support; (b) Is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; (c) Is liable under a support order; or (d) Is a debtor in a proceeding under Article 7 of this chapter. (18) "Outside this state" means a location in another state or a country other than the United States, whether or not the country is a foreign country. (19) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. (20) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (21) "Register" means to record or file in a tribunal of this state a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child issued in another state or a foreign country. (22) "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order or judgment determining parentage of a child is registered. (23) "Responding state" means a state in which a petition or comparable pleading for support or to determine parentage of a child is filed or to which a petition or comparable pleading is forwarded for filing from another state or foreign country. (24) "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state or foreign country. (25) "Spousal support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor. (26) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession under the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes an Indian nation or tribe. (27) "Support enforcement agency" means a public official, governmental entity, or private agency authorized to: (a) Seek enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support; (b) Seek establishment or modification of child support; (c) Request determination of parentage of a child; (d) Attempt to locate obligors or their assets; or (e) Request determination of the controlling child support order. (28) "Support order" means a judgment, decree, order, decision, or directive, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued in a state or foreign country for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, retroactive support, or reimbursement for financial assistance provided to an individual obligee in place of child support. The term may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, automatic adjustment, reasonable attorneys' fees, and other relief. (29) "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage of a child.
RCW 26.26A.460 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 460
RCW 26.26A.460: Adjudicating competing claims of parentage.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.465 , in a proceeding to adjudicate competing claims of, or challenges under RCW 26.26A.435 (3), 26.26A.445 , or 26.26A.450 to, parentage of a child by two or more individuals, the court shall adjudicate parentage in the best interest of the child, based on: (a) The age of the child; (b) The length of time during which each individual assumed the role of parent of the child; (c) The nature of the relationship between the child and each individual; (d) The harm to the child if the relationship between the child and each individual is not recognized; (e) The basis for each individual's claim to parentage of the child; and (f) Other equitable factors arising from the disruption of the relationship between the child and each individual or the likelihood of other harm to the child. (2) If an individual challenges parentage based on the results of genetic testing, in addition to the factors listed in subsection (1) of this section, the court shall consider: (a) The facts surrounding the discovery the individual might not be a genetic parent of the child; and (b) The length of time between the time that the individual was placed on notice that the individual might not be a genetic parent and the commencement of the proceeding. (3) The court may adjudicate a child to have more than two parents under this chapter if the court finds that failure to recognize more than two parents would be detrimental to the child. A finding of detriment to the child does not require a finding of unfitness of any parent or individual seeking an adjudication of parentage. In determining detriment to the child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the harm if the child is removed from a stable placement with an individual who has fulfilled the child's physical needs and psychological needs for care and affection and has assumed the role for a substantial period.
RCW 26.18.170 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 18 / Section 170
RCW 26.18.170: Medical support—Enforcement—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever a parent has been ordered to provide medical support for a dependent child, the department or the other parent may seek enforcement of the medical support as provided under this section. (a) If the obligated parent provides proof that he or she provides accessible health care coverage for the child, that parent has satisfied his or her obligation to provide health care coverage. (b) If the obligated parent does not provide proof of coverage, either the department or the other parent may take appropriate action as provided in this section to enforce the obligation. (2) An obligated parent may satisfy his or her health care coverage obligation by enrolling the child in public health care coverage, but that parent is also required to provide accessible health insurance coverage for the child if it is available at no cost through the parent's employer or union. (3) The fact that one parent enrolled the child in public health care coverage does not satisfy the other parent's health care coverage obligation unless the support order provides otherwise. A parent may satisfy the obligation to provide health care coverage by: (a) First enrolling the child in available and accessible health insurance coverage through the parent's employer or union if such coverage is available for no more than twenty-five percent of the parent's basic support obligation; (b) If there is no accessible health insurance coverage for the child available through the parent's employer or union, contributing a proportionate share of any premium paid by the other parent or the state for public health care coverage for the child. (4) The department may attempt to enforce a parent's obligation to provide health insurance coverage for the dependent child. If health insurance coverage is not available through the parent's employment or union at a cost not to exceed twenty-five percent of the parent's basic support obligation, or as otherwise provided in the support order, the department may enforce any monthly payment toward the premium ordered to be provided under RCW 26.09.105 or 74.20A.300 . (5) A parent seeking to enforce another parent's monthly payment toward the premium under RCW 26.09.105 may: (a) Apply for support enforcement services from the division of child support as provided by rule; or (b) Take action on his or her own behalf by: (i) Filing a motion in the underlying superior court action; or (ii) Initiating an action in superior court to determine the amount owed by the obligated parent, if there is not already an underlying superior court action. (6)(a) The department may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 on a parent to determine the amount of that parent's monthly payment toward the premium. (b) Whether or not the child receives temporary assistance for needy families or medicaid, the department may enforce the responsible parent's monthly payment toward the premium. When the child receives public health care coverage for which there is an assignment, the department may disburse amounts collected to the custodial parent to be used for the medical costs of the child or the department may retain amounts collected and apply them toward the cost of providing the child's state-financed medical coverage. The department may disregard monthly payments toward the premium which are passed through to the family in accordance with federal law. (7)(a) If the order to provide health insurance coverage contains language notifying the parent ordered to provide coverage that failure to provide such coverage or proof that such coverage is unavailable may result in direct enforcement of the order and orders payments through, or has been submitted to, the Washington state support registry for enforcement, then the department may, without further notice to the parent, send a national medical support notice pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 666(a)(19), and sections 401 (e) and (f) of the federal child support and performance incentive act of 1998 to the parent's employer or union. The notice shall be served: (i) By regular mail; (ii) In the manner prescribed for the service of a summons in a civil action; (iii) By certified mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) By electronic means if there is an agreement between the secretary of the department and the person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision, department of the state, or agency, subdivision, or instrumentality of the United States to accept service by electronic means. (b) The notice shall require the employer or union to enroll the child in the health insurance plan as provided in subsection (10) of this section. (c) The returned part A of the national medical support notice to the division of child support by the employer constitutes proof of service of the notice in the case where the notice was served by regular mail. (8) Upon receipt of a national medical support notice from a child support agency operating under Title IV-D of the federal social security act: (a) The parent's employer or union shall comply with the provisions of the notice, including meeting response time frames and withholding requirements required under part A of the notice; (b) The parent's employer or union shall also be responsible for complying with forwarding part B of the notice to the child's plan administrator, if required by the notice; (c) The plan administrator is responsible for complying with the provisions of the notice. (9) If the parent's order to provide health insurance coverage does not order payments through, and has not been submitted to, the Washington state support registry for enforcement: (a) The parent seeking enforcement may, without further notice to the obligated parent, send a certified copy of the order requiring health insurance coverage to the parent's employer or union by certified mail, return receipt requested; and (b) The parent seeking enforcement shall attach a notarized statement to the order declaring that the order is the latest order addressing coverage entered by the court and require the employer or union to enroll the child in the health insurance plan as provided in subsection (10) of this section. (10) Upon receipt of an order that provides for health insurance coverage: (a) The parent's employer or union shall answer the party who sent the order within twenty days and confirm that the child: (i) Has been enrolled in the health insurance plan; (ii) Will be enrolled; or (iii) Cannot be covered, stating the reasons why such coverage cannot be provided; (b) The employer or union shall withhold any required premium from the parent's income or wages; (c) If more than one plan is offered by the employer or union, and each plan may be extended to cover the child, then the child shall be enrolled in the parent's plan. If the parent's plan does not provide coverage which is accessible to the child, the child shall be enrolled in the least expensive plan otherwise available to the parent; (d) The employer or union shall provide information about the name of the health insurance coverage provider or issuer and the extent of coverage available to the parent and shall make available any necessary claim forms or enrollment membership cards. (11) If the order for coverage contains no language notifying either or both parents that failure to provide health insurance coverage or proof that such coverage is unavailable may result in direct enforcement of the order, the department or the parent seeking enforcement may serve a written notice of intent to enforce the order on the obligated parent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service. If the parent required to provide medical support fails to provide written proof that such coverage has been obtained or applied for or fails to provide proof that such coverage is unavailable within twenty days of service of the notice, the department or the parent seeking enforcement may proceed to enforce the order directly as provided in subsection (7) of this section. (12) If the parent ordered to provide health insurance coverage elects to provide coverage that will not be accessible to the child because of geographic or other limitations when accessible coverage is otherwise available, the department or the parent seeking enforcement may serve a written notice of intent to purchase health insurance coverage on the obligated parent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall also specify the type and cost of coverage. (13) If the department serves a notice under subsection (12) of this section the parent required to provide medical support shall, within twenty days of the date of service: (a) File an application for an adjudicative proceeding; or (b) Provide written proof to the department that the obligated parent has either applied for, or obtained, coverage accessible to the child. (14) If the parent seeking enforcement serves a notice under subsection (12) of this section, within twenty days of the date of service the parent required to provide medical support shall provide written proof to the parent seeking enforcement that he or she has either applied for, or obtained, coverage accessible to the child. (15) If the parent required to provide medical support fails to respond to a notice served under subsection (12) of this section to the party who served the notice, the party who served the notice may purchase the health insurance coverage specified in the notice directly. (a) If the obligated parent is the responsible parent, the amount of the monthly premium shall be added to the support debt and be collectible without further notice. (b) If the obligated parent is the custodial parent, the responsible parent may file an application for enforcement services and ask the department to establish and enforce the custodial parent's obligation. (c) The amount of the monthly premium may be collected or accrued until the parent required to provide medical support provides proof of the required coverage. (16) The signature of the parent seeking enforcement or of a department employee shall be a valid authorization to the coverage provider or issuer for purposes of processing a payment to the child's health services provider. An order for health insurance coverage shall operate as an assignment of all benefit rights to the parent seeking enforcement or to the child's health services provider, and in any claim against the coverage provider or issuer, the parent seeking enforcement or his or her assignee shall be subrogated to the rights of the parent obligated to provide medical support for the child. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section regarding assignment of benefits, this section shall not require a health care service contractor authorized under chapter 48.44 RCW or a health maintenance organization authorized under chapter 48.46 RCW to deviate from their contractual provisions and restrictions regarding reimbursement for covered services. If the coverage is terminated, the employer shall mail a notice of termination to the department or the parent seeking enforcement at that parent's last known address within thirty days of the termination date. (17) This section shall not be construed to limit the right of the parents or parties to the support order to bring an action in superior court at any time to enforce, modify, or clarify the original support order. (18) Where a child does not reside in the issuer's service area, an issuer shall cover no less than urgent and emergent care. Where the issuer offers broader coverage, whether by policy or reciprocal agreement, the issuer shall provide such coverage to any child otherwise covered that does not reside in the issuer's service area. (19) If a parent required to provide medical support fails to pay his or her portion, determined under RCW 26.19.080 , of any premium, deductible, copay, or uninsured medical expense incurred on behalf of the child, pursuant to a child support order, the department or the parent seeking reimbursement of medical expenses may enforce collection of the obligated parent's portion of the premium, deductible, copay, or uninsured medical expense incurred on behalf of the child. (a) If the department is enforcing the order and the responsible parent is the obligated parent, the obligated parent's portion of the premium, deductible, copay, or uninsured medical expenses incurred on behalf of the child added to the support debt and be collectible without further notice, following the reduction of the expenses to a sum certain either in a court order or by the department, pursuant to RCW 26.23.110 . (b) If the custodial parent is the obligated parent, the responsible parent may file an application for enforcement services and ask the department to establish and enforce the custodial parent's obligation. (20) As used in this section: (a) "Accessible" means health insurance coverage which provides primary care services to the child or children with reasonable effort by the custodian. (b) "Cash medical support" means a combination of: (i) A parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by either the other parent or the state, which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but no more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation; and (ii) a parent's proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses. (c) "Uninsured medical expenses" includes premiums, copays, deductibles, along with other health care costs not covered by insurance. (d) "Obligated parent" means a parent ordered to provide health insurance coverage for the children. (e) "Monthly payment toward the premium" means a parent's contribution toward premiums paid by the other parent or the state for insurance coverage for the child, which is based on the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but no more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation. (21) The department has rule-making authority to enact rules consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 652(f) and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 666(a)(19) as amended by section 7307 of the deficit reduction act of 2005. Additionally, the department has rule-making authority to implement regulations required under 45 C.F.R. Parts 302, 303, 304, 305, and 308.
RCW 26.09.320 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 320
RCW 26.09.320: Child support—Procedures for abatement based on incarceration—Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay—Reinstatement of support obligation.
Status: in_force

(1) When a child support order contains language providing for abatement based on incarceration of the person required to pay child support, there is a rebuttable presumption that an incarcerated person is unable to pay the child support obligation. Unless the presumption is rebutted, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section apply. (2)(a) If the child support order does not contain language providing for abatement based on incarceration of the person required to pay support, the department, the person required to pay support, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support may commence an action in the appropriate forum to: (i) Modify the support order to contain abatement language; and (ii) Abate the person's child support obligation due to current incarceration for at least six months. (b) In a proceeding brought under this subsection, there is a rebuttable presumption that an incarcerated person is unable to pay the child support obligation. The department, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support, may rebut the presumption by demonstrating that the person required to pay support has possession of, or access to, income or assets available to provide support while incarcerated. (c) Unless the presumption is rebutted, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section apply. (3) If the court or administrative forum determines that abatement of support is appropriate: (a) The child support obligation under that order will be abated to ten dollars per month, without regard to the number of children covered by that order, while the person required to pay support is confined in a jail, prison, or correctional facility for at least six months or is serving a sentence greater than six months in a jail, prison, or correctional facility. Either the department, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support may rebut the presumption by demonstrating the person required to pay support has possession of, or access to, income or assets available to provide support while incarcerated. (b) If the incarcerated person's support obligation under the order is abated as provided in (a) of this subsection, the obligation will remain abated to ten dollars per month through the last day of the third month after the person is released from confinement. (c) After abatement, the support obligation of the person required to pay support under the order is automatically reinstated at fifty percent of the support amount provided in the underlying order, but may not be less than the presumptive minimum obligation of fifty dollars per month per child, effective the first day of the fourth month after the person's release from confinement. Effective one year after release from confinement, the reinstatement at fifty percent of the support amount is automatically terminated, and the support obligation of the person required to pay support under the order is automatically reinstated at one hundred percent of the support amount provided in the underlying order. (i) Upon a showing of good cause by a party that the circumstances of the case allow it, the court or administrative forum may add specific provisions to the order abating the child support obligation regarding when and how the abatement may terminate. (ii) During the period of abatement, the department, the person required to pay support, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support may commence an action to modify the child support order under RCW 26.09.170 or 74.20A.059 , in which case the provision regarding reinstatement of the support amount at fifty percent does not apply. (d) If the incarcerated person's support obligation under the order has been abated as provided in (a) of this subsection and then has been reinstated under (c) of this subsection: (i) Either the department, the person required to pay support, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support may file an action to modify or adjust the order in the appropriate forum, if: (A) The provisions of (c)(i) and (ii) of this subsection do not apply; and (B) The person required to pay support has been released from incarceration. (ii) An action to modify or adjust the order based on the release from incarceration of the person required to pay support may be filed even if there is no other change of circumstances. (4) The effective date of abatement of a child support obligation based on incarceration to ten dollars per month per order is the date on which the person required to pay support is confined in a jail, prison, or correctional facility for at least six months or begins serving a sentence greater than six months in a jail, prison, or correctional facility, regardless of when the department is notified of the incarceration. However: (a) The person required to pay support is not entitled to a refund of any support collections or payments that were received by the department prior to the date on which the department is notified of the incarceration; and (b) The department, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support is not required to refund any support collections or payments that were received by the department prior to the date on which the department is notified of the incarceration. (5) Abatement of a child support obligation based on incarceration of the person required to pay support does not constitute modification or adjustment of the order.
RCW 26.33.420 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 33 / Section 420
RCW 26.33.420: Postadoption contact between siblings—Intent—Findings.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that the importance of children's relationships with their siblings is well recognized in law and science. The bonds between siblings are often irreplaceable, leading some experts to believe that sibling relationships can be longer lasting and more influential than any other over a person's lifetime. For children who have been removed from home due to abuse or neglect, these bonds are often much stronger because siblings have learned early the importance of depending on one another and cooperating in order to cope with their common problems. The legislature further finds that when children are in the foster care system they typically have some degree of contact or visitation with their siblings even when they are not living together. The legislature finds, however, that when one or more of the siblings is adopted from foster care, these relationships may be severed completely if an open adoption agreement fails to attend to the needs of the siblings for continuing postadoption contact. The legislature intends to promote a greater focus, in permanency planning and adoption proceedings, on the interests of siblings separated by adoptive placements and to encourage the inclusion in adoption agreements of provisions to support ongoing postadoption contact between siblings.
RCW 26.12.205 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 205
RCW 26.12.205: Priority for proceedings involving children.
Status: in_force

The family court shall give proceedings involving children priority over cases without children.
RCW 26.14.210 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 14 / Section 210
RCW 26.14.210: Modification of confirmed award or judgment.
Status: in_force

If a party requests under law of this state other than this chapter a modification of an award confirmed under RCW 26.14.150 or judgment on the award based on a fact occurring after confirmation: (1) The parties shall proceed under the dispute resolution method specified in the award or judgment; or (2) If the award or judgment does not specify a dispute resolution method, the parties may: (a) Agree to arbitrate the modification before the original arbitrator or another arbitrator; or (b) Absent agreement, proceed under law of this state other than this chapter governing modification of a judgment in a family law proceeding.
RCW 26.09.902 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 902
RCW 26.09.902: RCW 26.09.900 and 26.09.901 deemed in effect on July 16, 1973.
Status: in_force

The provisions of RCW 26.09.900 and 26.09.901 are remedial and procedural and shall be construed to have been in effect as of July 16, 1973.
RCW 26.09.480 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 480
RCW 26.09.480: Objection to relocation or proposed revised residential schedule.
Status: in_force

(1) A party objecting to the intended relocation of the child or the relocating parent's proposed revised residential schedule shall do so by filing the objection with the court and serving the objection on the relocating party and all other persons entitled by court order to residential time or visitation with the child by means of personal service or mailing by any form of mail requiring a return receipt to the relocating party at the address designated for service on the notice of intended relocation and to other parties requiring notice at their mailing address. The objection must be filed and served, including a three-day waiting period if the objection is served by mail, within thirty days of receipt of the notice of intended relocation of the child. The objection shall be in the form of: (a) A petition for modification of the parenting plan pursuant to relocation; or (b) other court proceeding adequate to provide grounds for relief. (2) Unless the special circumstances described in RCW 26.09.460 apply, the person intending to relocate the child shall not, without a court order, change the principal residence of the child during the period in which a party may object. The order required under this subsection may be obtained ex parte. If the objecting party notes a court hearing to prevent the relocation of the child for a date not more than fifteen days following timely service of an objection to relocation, the party intending to relocate the child shall not change the principal residence of the child pending the hearing unless the special circumstances described in RCW 26.09.460 (3) apply. (3) The administrator for the courts shall develop a standard form, separate from existing dissolution or modification forms, for use in filing an objection to relocation of the child or objection of the relocating person's proposed revised residential schedule.
RCW 26.44.060 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 060
RCW 26.44.060: Immunity from civil or criminal liability—Confidential communications not violated—Actions against state not affected—False report, penalty.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, any person participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter, testifying as to alleged child abuse or neglect in a judicial proceeding, or otherwise providing information or assistance, including medical evaluations or consultations, in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention pursuant to a good faith report of child abuse or neglect shall in so doing be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising out of such reporting or testifying under any law of this state or its political subdivisions. (b) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (4) of this section shall not be immune from liability under (a) of this subsection. (2) An administrator of a hospital or similar institution or any physician licensed pursuant to chapters 18.71 or 18.57 RCW taking a child into custody pursuant to RCW 26.44.056 shall not be subject to criminal or civil liability for such taking into custody. (3) Conduct conforming with the reporting requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed a violation of the confidential communication privilege of RCW 5.60.060 (3) and (4), 18.53.200 and 18.83.110 . Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to supersede or abridge remedies provided in chapter 4.92 RCW. (4) A person who, intentionally and in bad faith, knowingly makes a false report of alleged abuse or neglect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RCW 9A.20.021 . (5) A person who, in good faith and without gross negligence, cooperates in an investigation arising as a result of a report made pursuant to this chapter, shall not be subject to civil liability arising out of his or her cooperation. This subsection does not apply to a person who caused or allowed the child abuse or neglect to occur.(1) A person is guilty of rape in the third degree when, under circumstances not constituting rape in the first or second degrees, such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person: (a) Where the victim did not consent as defined in *RCW 9A.44.010 (7), to sexual intercourse with the perpetrator; or (b) Where there is threat of substantial unlawful harm to property rights of the victim. (2) Rape in the third degree is a class C felony.
RCW 26.26A.745 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 745
RCW 26.26A.745: Gestational surrogacy agreement—Parentage of deceased intended parent.
Status: in_force

(1) RCW 26.26A.740 applies to an intended parent even if the intended parent died during the period between the transfer of a gamete or embryo and the birth of the child. (2) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.26A.755 , an intended parent is not a parent of a child conceived by assisted reproduction under a gestational surrogacy agreement if the intended parent dies before the transfer of a gamete or embryo unless: (a) The agreement provides otherwise; and (b) The transfer of a gamete or embryo occurs not later than thirty-six months after the death of the intended parent or birth of the child occurs not later than forty-five months after the death of the intended parent.
RCW 26.09.184 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 184
RCW 26.09.184: Permanent parenting plan.
Status: in_force

(1) OBJECTIVES. The objectives of the permanent parenting plan are to: (a) Provide for the child's physical care; (b) Maintain the child's emotional stability; (c) Provide for the child's changing needs as the child grows and matures, in a way that minimizes the need for future modifications to the permanent parenting plan; (d) Set forth the authority and responsibilities of each parent with respect to the child, consistent with the criteria in RCW 26.09.187 and 26.09.191 ; (e) Minimize the child's exposure to harmful parental conflict; (f) Encourage the parents, where appropriate under RCW 26.09.187 and 26.09.191 , to meet their responsibilities to their minor children through agreements in the permanent parenting plan, rather than by relying on judicial intervention; and (g) To otherwise protect the best interests of the child consistent with RCW 26.09.002 . (2) CONTENTS OF THE PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN. The permanent parenting plan shall contain provisions for resolution of future disputes between the parents, allocation of decision-making authority, and residential provisions for the child. (3) CONSIDERATION IN ESTABLISHING THE PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN. In establishing a permanent parenting plan, the court may consider the cultural heritage and religious beliefs of a child. (4) DISPUTE RESOLUTION. A process for resolving disputes, other than court action, shall be provided unless precluded or limited by RCW 26.09.187 or 26.09.191 . A dispute resolution process may include counseling, mediation, or arbitration by a specified individual or agency, or court action. In the dispute resolution process: (a) Preference shall be given to carrying out the parenting plan; (b) The parents shall use the designated process to resolve disputes relating to implementation of the plan, except those related to financial support, unless an emergency exists; (c) A written record shall be prepared of any agreement reached in counseling or mediation and of each arbitration award and shall be provided to each party; (d) If the court finds that a parent has used or frustrated the dispute resolution process without good reason, the court shall award attorneys' fees and financial sanctions to the prevailing parent; (e) The parties have the right of review from the dispute resolution process to the superior court; and (f) The provisions of (a) through (e) of this subsection shall be set forth in the decree. (5) ALLOCATION OF DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY. (a) The plan shall allocate decision-making authority to one or both parties regarding the children's education, health care, and religious upbringing. The parties may incorporate an agreement related to the care and growth of the child in these specified areas, or in other areas, into their plan, consistent with the criteria in RCW 26.09.187 and 26.09.191 . Regardless of the allocation of decision-making in the parenting plan, either parent may make emergency decisions affecting the health or safety of the child. (b) Each parent may make decisions regarding the day-to-day care and control of the child while the child is residing with that parent. (c) When mutual decision making is designated but cannot be achieved, the parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve the issue through the dispute resolution process. (6) RESIDENTIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE CHILD. The plan shall include a residential schedule which designates in which parent's home each minor child shall reside on given days of the year, including provision for holidays, birthdays of family members, vacations, and other special occasions, consistent with the criteria in RCW 26.09.187 and 26.09.191 . (7) PARENTS' OBLIGATION UNAFFECTED. If a parent fails to comply with a provision of a parenting plan or a child support order, the other parent's obligations under the parenting plan or the child support order are not affected. Failure to comply with a provision in a parenting plan or a child support order may result in a finding of contempt of court, under RCW 26.09.160 . (8) PROVISIONS TO BE SET FORTH IN PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN. The permanent parenting plan shall set forth the provisions of subsections (4)(a) through (c), (5)(b) and (c), and (7) of this section.
RCW 26.55.050 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 55 / Section 050
RCW 26.55.050: Immunity from civil and criminal liability.
Status: in_force

The state, state agency, local governmental agency, law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, clerk of court, and state or local governmental official acting in an official capacity are immune from civil and criminal liability for an act or omission arising out of the filing or recognition and enforcement of a Canadian domestic violence protection order or the detention or arrest of an alleged violator of a Canadian domestic violence protection order if the act or omission was a good faith effort to comply with this chapter.
RCW 26.19.011 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 19 / Section 011
RCW 26.19.011: Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Basic child support obligation" means the monthly child support obligation determined from the economic table based on the parties' combined monthly net income and the number of children for whom support is owed. (2) "Child support schedule" means the standards, economic table, worksheets, and instructions, as defined in this chapter. (3) "Court" means a superior court judge, court commissioner, and presiding and reviewing officers who administratively determine or enforce child support orders. (4) "Deviation" means a child support amount that differs from the standard calculation. (5) "Economic table" means the child support table for the basic support obligation provided in RCW 26.19.020 . (6) "Full-time" means the customary number of maximum, nonovertime hours worked in an individual's historical occupation, industry, and labor market. "Full-time" does not necessarily mean forty hours per week. (7) "Instructions" means the instructions developed by the administrative office of the courts pursuant to RCW 26.19.050 for use in completing the worksheets. (8) "Standards" means the standards for determination of child support as provided in this chapter. (9) "Standard calculation" means the presumptive amount of child support owed as determined from the child support schedule before the court considers any reasons for deviation. (10) "Support transfer payment" means the amount of money the court orders one parent to pay to another parent or custodian for child support after determination of the standard calculation and deviations. If certain expenses or credits are expected to fluctuate and the order states a formula or percentage to determine the additional amount or credit on an ongoing basis, the term "support transfer payment" does not mean the additional amount or credit. (11) "Worksheets" means the forms developed by the administrative office of the courts pursuant to RCW 26.19.050 for use in determining the amount of child support.
RCW 26.21A.240 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 240
RCW 26.21A.240: Private counsel.
Status: in_force

An individual may employ private counsel to represent the individual in proceedings authorized by this chapter.
RCW 26.26A.900 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 900
RCW 26.26A.900: Uniformity of application and construction—2018 c 6.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
RCW 26.21A.220 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 220
RCW 26.21A.220: Duties and powers of responding tribunal.
Status: in_force

(1) When a responding tribunal of this state receives a petition or comparable pleading from an initiating tribunal or directly pursuant to RCW 26.21A.200 (2), it shall cause the petition or pleading to be filed and notify the petitioner where and when it was filed. (2) A responding tribunal of this state, to the extent not prohibited by other law, may do one or more of the following: (a) Establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling child support order, or determine parentage of a child; (b) Order an obligor to comply with a support order, specifying the amount and the manner of compliance; (c) Order income withholding; (d) Determine the amount of any arrearages, and specify a method of payment; (e) Enforce orders by civil or criminal contempt, or both; (f) Set aside property for satisfaction of the support order; (g) Place liens and order execution on the obligor's property; (h) Order an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current residential address, email address, telephone number, employer, address of employment, and telephone number at the place of employment; (i) Issue a bench warrant for an obligor who has failed after proper notice to appear at a hearing ordered by the tribunal and enter the bench warrant in any local and state computer systems for criminal warrants; (j) Order the obligor to seek appropriate employment by specified methods; (k) Award reasonable attorneys' fees and other fees and costs; and (l) Grant any other available remedy. (3) A responding tribunal of this state shall include in a support order issued under this chapter, or in the documents accompanying the order, the calculations on which the support order is based. (4) A responding tribunal of this state may not condition the payment of a support order issued under this chapter upon compliance by a party with provisions for visitation. (5) If a responding tribunal of this state issues an order under this chapter, the tribunal shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and the respondent and to the initiating tribunal, if any. (6) If requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or modify a support order stated in a foreign currency, a responding tribunal of this state shall convert the amount stated in the foreign currency to the equivalent amount in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported.
RCW 26.14.220 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 14 / Section 220
RCW 26.14.220: Enforcement of confirmed award.
Status: in_force

(1) The court shall enforce an award confirmed under RCW 26.14.150 , including a temporary award, in the manner and to the same extent as any other order or judgment of a court. (2) The court shall enforce an arbitration award in a family law dispute confirmed by a court in another state in the manner and to the same extent as any other order or judgment from another state.
RCW 26.21A.510 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 510
RCW 26.21A.510: Effect of registration for enforcement.
Status: in_force

(1) A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered when the order is filed in the registering tribunal of this state. (2) A registered support order issued in another state or a foreign country is enforceable in the same manner and is subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this state. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, a registered support order if the issuing tribunal had jurisdiction.
RCW 26.26A.901 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 901
RCW 26.26A.901: Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.
Status: in_force

This chapter modifies, limits, or supersedes the electronic signatures in global and national commerce act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7003(b).
RCW 26.09.345 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 345
RCW 26.09.345: Child support obligations—Abatement based on incapacitation—Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay—Reinstatement timeline.
Status: in_force

(1) When a child support order contains language providing for abatement based on incapacitation of the person required to pay child support, there is a rebuttable presumption that an incapacitated person is unable to pay the child support obligation. The presumption may be rebutted by evidence demonstrating that the person required to pay support has possession of, or access to, income or assets available to provide support while incapacitated. Unless the presumption is rebutted, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section apply. (2)(a) If the child support order does not contain language providing for abatement based on incapacitation of the person required to pay support, the department, the person required to pay support, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support may commence an action in the appropriate forum to: (i) Modify or amend the support order to contain abatement language; and (ii) Abate the person's child support obligation due to current incapacitation for a maximum of six months. (b) In a proceeding brought under this subsection, there is a rebuttable presumption that an incapacitated person is unable to pay the child support obligation. The department, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support, may rebut the presumption by demonstrating that the person required to pay support has possession of, or access to, income or assets available to provide support while incapacitated. (c) Unless the presumption is rebutted, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section apply. (3) If the court or administrative forum determines that abatement of support is appropriate: (a) The child support obligation under the order in front of the court will be abated to $50 per month per child while the person required to pay support is undergoing court-ordered behavioral health treatment. (b) Abatement of the support obligation to $50 per month per child will remain in place until the earlier of: The last day of the month in which the person is discharged from court-ordered behavioral health treatment; or the last day of the sixth month after the effective date of the abatement. (c) After abatement of support is terminated, the support obligation of the person required to pay support under the order is automatically reinstated at 100 percent of the support amount provided in the underlying order. (4) The effective date of abatement of a child support obligation based on incapacitation to $50 per month per child is the date on which the court order for treatment for a behavioral health disorder is entered. However: (a) The person required to pay support is not entitled to a refund of any support collections or payments that were received by the department prior to the date on which the department is notified of the incapacitation; and (b) The department, the payee under the order, or the person entitled to receive support is not required to refund any support collections or payments that were received by the department prior to the date on which the department is notified of incapacitation. (5) Abatement of a child support obligation based on incapacitation of the person required to pay support does not constitute modification or adjustment of the order. (6) Abatement of a child support obligation based on incapacitation of the person required to pay support shall only be approved one time in a person's lifetime, regardless of whether the abatement lasted the full six months.
RCW 26.30.920 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 30 / Section 920
RCW 26.30.920: Effective date—1970 ex.s. c 4.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall take effect on July 1, 1970.
RCW 26.33.230 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 33 / Section 230
RCW 26.33.230: Notice of proceedings at which preplacement reports considered—Contents—Proof of service—Appearance—Waiver.
Status: in_force

The petitioner shall give not less than three days written notice of any proceeding at which a preplacement report will be considered to all agencies, any court approved individual, or any court employee requested by the petitioner to make a preplacement report. The notice shall state the name of the petitioner, the cause number of the proceeding, the time and place of the hearing, and the object of the hearing. Proof of service on the agency or court approved individual in form satisfactory to the court shall be furnished. The agency or court approved individual may appear at the hearing and give testimony concerning any matters relevant to the relinquishment or the adoption and its recommendation as to the fitness of petitioners as parents. The agency or court approved individual may in writing acknowledge notice and state to the court that the agency or court approved individual does not desire to participate in the hearing or the agency or court approved individual may in writing waive notice of any hearing.
RCW 26.14.140 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 14 / Section 140
RCW 26.14.140: Award.
Status: in_force

(1) An arbitrator shall make an award in a record, dated and signed by the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall give notice of the award to each party by a method agreed on by the parties or, if the parties have not agreed on a method, under the law and procedural rules of this state other than this chapter governing notice in contractual arbitration. (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the award under this chapter must state the reasons on which it is based unless otherwise agreed by the parties. (3) An award determining a child-related dispute must state the reasons on which it is based as required by law of this state other than this chapter for a court order in a family law proceeding. (4) An award under this chapter is not enforceable as a judgment until confirmed under RCW 26.14.150 .
RCW 26.26A.730 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 730
RCW 26.26A.730: Surrogacy agreement—Venue—Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 26.26A.420 , venue for a proceeding under this subchapter, RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785 , may be in a county of this state in which: (a) The child resides or is located; (b) The respondent resides or is located; (c) An intended parent resides; (d) A medical evaluation or procedure or mental health consultation under the surrogacy agreement occurred; or (e) A proceeding has been commenced for administration of the estate of an individual who is or may be a parent under this subchapter. (2) During the period after the execution of a surrogacy agreement until ninety days after the birth of a child conceived by assisted reproduction under the agreement, a court of this state conducting a proceeding under this chapter has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over all matters arising out of the agreement. This section does not give the court jurisdiction over a child custody or child support proceeding if jurisdiction is not otherwise authorized by law of this state other than this chapter.
RCW 26.26A.700 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 700
RCW 26.26A.700: Definitions—Surrogacy agreement—RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter, RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785 , unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Genetic surrogate" means a woman who is not an intended parent and who agrees to become pregnant through assisted reproduction using her own gamete, under a genetic surrogacy agreement as provided in RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785 . (2) "Gestational surrogate" means a woman who is not an intended parent and who agrees to become pregnant through assisted reproduction using gametes that are not her own, under a gestational surrogacy agreement as provided in RCW 26.26A.700 through 26.26A.785 . (3) "Surrogacy agreement" means an agreement between one or more intended parents and a woman who is not an intended parent in which the woman agrees to become pregnant through assisted reproduction and which provides that each intended parent is a parent of a child conceived under the agreement. Unless otherwise specified, the term refers to both a gestational surrogacy agreement and a genetic surrogacy agreement.
RCW 26.09.220 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 220
RCW 26.09.220: Parenting arrangements—Investigation and report—Appointment of guardian ad litem.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The court may order an investigation and report concerning parenting arrangements for the child, or may appoint a guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 26.12.175 , or both. The investigation and report may be made by the guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, the staff of the juvenile court, or other professional social service organization experienced in counseling children and families. (b) An investigator is a person appointed as an investigator under RCW 26.12.050 (1)(b) or any other third-party professional ordered or appointed by the court to provide an opinion, assessment, or evaluation regarding the creation or modification of a parenting plan. (2) In preparing the report concerning a child, the investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section may consult any person who may have information about the child and the potential parenting or custodian arrangements. Upon order of the court, the investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section may refer the child to professional personnel for diagnosis. The investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section may consult with and obtain information from medical, psychiatric, or other expert persons who have served the child in the past without obtaining the consent of the parent or the child's custodian; but the child's consent must be obtained if the child has reached the age of twelve, unless the court finds that the child lacks mental capacity to consent. If the requirements of subsection (3) of this section are fulfilled, the report by the investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section may be received in evidence at the hearing. (3) The investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall provide his or her report to counsel and to any party not represented by counsel at least ten days prior to the hearing unless a shorter time is ordered by the court for good cause shown. The investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall make available to counsel and to any party not represented by counsel his or her file of underlying data and reports, complete texts of diagnostic reports made to the investigator or appointed person pursuant to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, and the names and addresses of all persons whom he or she has consulted. Any party to the proceeding may call the investigator or person appointed under subsection (1) of this section and any person whom the investigator or appointed person has consulted for cross-examination. A party may not waive the right of cross-examination prior to the hearing.
RCW 26.55.900 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 55 / Section 900
RCW 26.55.900: Uniformity of application and construction—2019 c 263.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
RCW 26.27.041 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 27 / Section 041
RCW 26.27.041: Application to Indian tribes.
Status: in_force

(1) A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the federal Indian child welfare act, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq., is not subject to this chapter to the extent that it is governed by the federal Indian child welfare act. (2) A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying Articles 1 and 2. (3) A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this chapter must be recognized and enforced under Article 3.
RCW 26.26A.320 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 320
RCW 26.26A.320: Report of genetic testing.
Status: in_force

(1) A report of genetic testing must be in a record and signed under penalty of perjury by a designee of the testing laboratory. A report complying with the requirements of RCW 26.26A.300 through 26.26A.355 is self-authenticating. (2) Documentation from a testing laboratory of the following information is sufficient to establish a reliable chain of custody and allow the results of genetic testing to be admissible without testimony: (a) The name and photograph of each individual whose specimen has been taken; (b) The name of the individual who collected each specimen; (c) The place and date each specimen was collected; (d) The name of the individual who received each specimen in the testing laboratory; and (e) The date each specimen was received.
RCW 26.26A.210 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 210
RCW 26.26A.210: Denial of parentage.
Status: in_force

A presumed parent or alleged genetic parent may sign a denial of parentage in a record. The denial of parentage is valid only if: (1) An acknowledgment of parentage by another individual is filed under RCW 26.26A.220 ; (2) The signature of the presumed parent or alleged genetic parent is attested by a notarial officer or witnessed; and (3) The presumed parent or alleged genetic parent has not previously: (a) Completed a valid acknowledgment of parentage, unless the previous acknowledgment was rescinded under RCW 26.26A.235 or challenged successfully under RCW 26.26A.240 ; or (b) Been adjudicated to be a parent of the child.
RCW 26.26B.070 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26B / Section 070
RCW 26.26B.070: Proof of certain support and parentage establishment costs.
Status: in_force

In all actions brought under this chapter or chapter 26.26A RCW, bills for pregnancy, childbirth, and genetic testing shall: (1) Be admissible as evidence without requiring third-party foundation testimony; and (2) Constitute prima facie evidence of amounts incurred for such services or for testing on behalf of the child.
RCW 26.26A.330 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 330
RCW 26.26A.330: Cost of genetic testing.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to assessment of fees under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , payment of the cost of initial genetic testing must be made in advance: (a) By a child support agency in a proceeding in which the child support agency is providing services; (b) By the individual who made the request for genetic testing; (c) As agreed by the parties; or (d) As ordered by the court. (2) If the cost of genetic testing is paid by a child support agency, the agency may seek reimbursement from the genetic parent whose parent-child relationship is established.
RCW 26.04.210 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 04 / Section 210
RCW 26.04.210: Affidavits required for issuance of license—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) The county auditor, before a marriage license is issued, upon the payment of a license fee as fixed in RCW 36.18.010 shall require each applicant therefor to make and file in the auditor's office upon blanks to be provided by the county for that purpose, an affidavit showing that if an applicant is afflicted with any contagious sexually transmitted disease, the condition is known to both applicants, and that the applicants are the age of 18 years or over. Such affidavit may be subscribed and sworn to before any person authorized to administer oaths. (2) Anyone knowingly swearing falsely to any of the statements contained in the affidavits mentioned in this section is guilty of perjury under chapter 9A.72 RCW. (3) The affidavit form shall be designed to require a statement that no contagious sexually transmitted disease is present or that the condition is known to both applicants, without requiring the applicants to state whether or not either or both of them are afflicted by such disease. (4) Any person knowingly violating this section is guilty of a class C felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for a period of not more than three years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
RCW 26.21A.617 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 617
RCW 26.21A.617: Recognition and enforcement of registered convention support order.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a registered convention support order. (2) The following grounds are the only grounds on which a tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of a registered convention support order: (a) Recognition and enforcement of the order is manifestly incompatible with public policy, including the failure of the issuing tribunal to observe minimum standards of due process, which include notice and an opportunity to be heard; (b) The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction consistent with RCW 26.21A.100 ; (c) The order is not enforceable in the issuing country; (d) The order was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure; (e) A record transmitted in accordance with RCW 26.21A.613 lacks authenticity or integrity; (f) A proceeding between the same parties and having the same purpose is pending before a tribunal of this state and that proceeding was the first to be filed; (g) The order is incompatible with a more recent support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose if the more recent support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this state; (h) Payment, to the extent alleged arrears have been paid in whole or in part; (i) In a case in which the respondent neither appeared nor was represented in the proceeding in the issuing foreign country: (i) If the law of that country provides for prior notice of proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard; or (ii) If the law of that country does not provide for prior notice of the proceedings, the respondent did not have proper notice of the order and an opportunity to be heard in a challenge or appeal on fact or law before a tribunal; or (j) The order was made in violation of RCW 26.21A.625 . (3) If a tribunal of this state does not recognize a convention support order under subsection (2)(b), (d), or (i) of this section: (a) The tribunal may not dismiss the proceeding without allowing a reasonable time for a party to request the establishment of a new convention support order; and (b) The department of social and health services shall take all appropriate measures to request a child support order for the obligee if the application for recognition and enforcement was received under RCW 26.21A.607 .
RCW 26.16.240 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 16 / Section 240
RCW 26.16.240: Quasi-community property—Effect of lifetime transfers—Claims by surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner—Waiver.
Status: in_force

(1) If a decedent domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death made a lifetime transfer of a property interest that is quasi-community property to a person other than the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner within three years of death, then within the time for filing claims against the estate as provided by RCW 11.40.010 , the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may require the transferee to restore to the decedent's estate one-half of such property interest, if the transferee retains the property interest, and, if not, one-half of its proceeds, or, if none, one-half of its value at the time of transfer, if: (a) The decedent retained, at the time of death, the possession or enjoyment of or the right to income from the property interest; (b) The decedent retained, at the time of death, a power, either alone or in conjunction with any other person, to revoke or to consume, invade or dispose of the property interest for the decedent's own benefit; or (c) The decedent held the property interest at the time of death with another with the right of survivorship. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, no such property interest, proceeds, or value may be required to be restored to the decedent's estate if: (a) Such property interest was transferred for adequate consideration; (b) Such property interest was transferred with the consent of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner; or (c) The transferee purchased such property interest in property from the decedent while believing in good faith that the property or property interest was the separate property of the decedent and did not constitute quasi-community property. (3) All property interests, proceeds, or value restored to the decedent's estate under this section shall belong to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner pursuant to RCW 26.16.230 as though the transfer had never been made. (4) The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may waive any right granted hereunder by written instrument filed in the probate proceedings. If the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner acts as personal representative of the decedent's estate and causes the estate to be closed before the time for exercising any right granted by this section expires, such closure shall act as a waiver by the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of any and all rights granted by this section.
RCW 26.26A.245 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 245
RCW 26.26A.245: Procedure for challenge of an acknowledgment or denial of parentage by signatory.
Status: in_force

(1) Every signatory to an acknowledgment of parentage and any related denial of parentage must be made a party to a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or denial. (2) By signing an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction in this state in a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or denial, effective on the filing of the acknowledgment or denial with the state registrar of vital statistics. (3) The court may not suspend the legal responsibilities arising from an acknowledgment of parentage, including the duty to pay child support, during the pendency of a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or a related denial of parentage, unless the party challenging the acknowledgment or denial shows good cause. (4) A party challenging an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage has the burden of proof. (5) If the court determines that a party has satisfied the burden of proof under subsection (4) of this section, the court shall order the state registrar of vital statistics to amend the birth record of the child to reflect the legal parentage of the child. (6) A proceeding to challenge an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage must be conducted under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 .
RCW 26.23.100 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 23 / Section 100
RCW 26.23.100: Motion to quash, modify, or terminate payroll deduction—Grounds for relief.
Status: in_force

(1) The responsible parent subject to a payroll deduction pursuant to this chapter, may file a motion in superior court to quash, modify, or terminate the payroll deduction. (2) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, the court may grant relief only upon a showing: (a) That the payroll deduction causes extreme hardship or substantial injustice; or (b) that the support payment was not past due under the terms of the order when the notice of payroll deduction was served on the employer. (3) Satisfaction by the obligor of all past due payments subsequent to the issuance of the notice of payroll deduction is not grounds to quash, modify, or terminate the notice of payroll deduction. (4) If a notice of payroll deduction has been in operation for twelve consecutive months and the obligor's support obligation is current, upon motion of the obligor, the court may order the office of support enforcement to terminate the payroll deduction, unless the obligee can show good cause as to why the payroll deduction should remain in effect. (5) Subsection (2) of this section shall not prevent the court from ordering an alternative arrangement as provided under RCW 26.23.050 (2).
RCW 26.26A.735 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 735
RCW 26.26A.735: Gestational surrogacy agreement—Termination.
Status: in_force

(1) A party to a gestational surrogacy agreement may terminate the agreement, at any time before an embryo transfer, by giving notice of termination in a record to all other parties. If an embryo transfer does not result in a pregnancy, a party may terminate the agreement at any time before a subsequent embryo transfer. (2) Unless a gestational surrogacy agreement provides otherwise, on termination of the agreement under subsection (1) of this section, the parties are released from the agreement, except that each intended parent remains responsible for expenses that are reimbursable under the agreement and incurred by the woman acting as a gestational surrogate through the date of termination. (3) Except in a case involving fraud, neither a woman acting as a gestational surrogate nor the surrogate's spouse or former spouse, if any, is liable to the intended parent or parents for a penalty or liquidated damages, for terminating a gestational surrogacy agreement under this section.
RCW 26.38.110 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 38 / Section 110
RCW 26.38.110: Prohibited custody transfer.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a parent or guardian of a child or an individual with whom a child has been placed for adoption may not transfer custody of the child to another person with the intent, at the time of the transfer, to abandon the rights and responsibilities concerning the child. (2) A parent or guardian of a child or an individual with whom a child has been placed for adoption may transfer custody of the child to another person with the intent, at the time of the transfer, to abandon the rights and responsibilities concerning the child only through: (a) A judicial award of custody under chapter 11.130 or 13.34 RCW or this title; (b) Placement by or through a child-placing agency; (c) A judicial award of custody or other action in a tribal court; or (d) Transfer of a newborn to a qualified person under RCW 13.34.360 . (3) A person may not receive custody of a child, or act as an intermediary in a transfer of custody of a child, if the person knows or reasonably should know the transfer violates subsection (1) of this section. This prohibition does not apply if the person, as soon as practicable after the transfer, notifies the department or law enforcement of the transfer or takes appropriate action to establish custody under subsection (2) of this section. (4) Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. (5) Violation of subsection (1) of this section is not established solely because a parent or guardian that transfers custody of a child or makes a delegation pursuant to RCW 11.130.145 does not regain custody. (6) For purposes of this section, "abandon" has the same meaning as "abandoned" in RCW 13.34.030 .
RCW 26.12.215 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 215
RCW 26.12.215: Revision by the superior court.
Status: in_force

All acts and proceedings of the court commissioners shall be subject to revision by the superior court as provided in RCW 2.24.050 .
RCW 26.23.900 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 23 / Section 900
RCW 26.23.900: Effective date—1987 c 435.
Status: in_force

Sections 1 through 3 and 5 through 36 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1988.
RCW 26.40.070 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 40 / Section 070
RCW 26.40.070: Petition by parent for rescission, change in co-custodians, determination of parental responsibility.
Status: in_force

The parents or parent upon whose petition an order for the commitment of a child to custody has been issued may, before such commitment becomes effective, petition the court for a rescission of the order or for a change in the co-custodians other than the state, or to determine that they are unable to continue parental responsibilities for the child, and the court shall proceed on such petition as on the original petition.
RCW 26.12.800 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 800
RCW 26.12.800: Family court pilot program—Legislative recognition.
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes the increasing incidence of concurrent involvement of family members in multiple areas of the justice system. Analysis shows significant case overlap in the case types of juvenile offender, juvenile dependency, at-risk youth, child in need of services, truancy, domestic violence, and domestic relations. Also recognized is the increased complexity of the problems facing family members and the increased complexity of the laws affecting families. It is believed that in such situations, an efficient and effective response is through the creation of a unified court system centered around the family that: Provides a dedicated, trained, and informed judiciary; incorporates case management practices based on a family's judicial system needs; enables multiple case type resolution by one judicial officer or judicial team; provides coordinated legal and social services ; and considers and evaluates the needs of the family as a whole.
RCW 26.33.190 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 33 / Section 190
RCW 26.33.190: Preplacement report—Requirements—Fees.
Status: in_force

(1) Any person may at any time request an agency, the department, an individual approved by the court, or a qualified salaried court employee to prepare a preplacement report. A certificate signed under penalty of perjury by the person preparing the report specifying his or her qualifications as required in this chapter shall be attached to or filed with each preplacement report and shall include a statement of training or experience that qualifies the person preparing the report to discuss relevant adoption issues. A person may have more than one preplacement report prepared. All preplacement reports shall be filed with the court in which the petition for adoption is filed. (2) The preplacement report shall be a written document setting forth all relevant information relating to the fitness of the person requesting the report as an adoptive parent. The report shall be based on a study which shall include an investigation of the home environment, family life, health, facilities, and resources of the person requesting the report. The report shall include a list of the sources of information on which the report is based. The report shall include a recommendation as to the fitness of the person requesting the report to be an adoptive parent. The report shall also verify that the following issues were discussed with the prospective adoptive parents: (a) The concept of adoption as a lifelong developmental process and commitment; (b) The potential for the child to have feelings of identity confusion and loss regarding separation from the birth parents; (c) If applicable, the relevance of the child's relationship with siblings and the potential benefit to the child of providing for a continuing relationship and contact between the child and known siblings; (d) Disclosure of the fact of adoption to the child; (e) The child's possible questions about birth parents and relatives; and (f) The relevance of the child's racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage. (3) All preplacement reports shall include a background check of any conviction records, pending charges, or disciplinary board final decisions of prospective adoptive parents. The background check shall include an examination of state and national criminal identification data provided by the Washington state patrol criminal identification system including, but not limited to, a fingerprint-based background check of national crime information databases for any person being investigated. It shall also include a review of any child abuse and neglect history of any adult living in the prospective adoptive parents' home. The background check of the child abuse and neglect history shall include a review of the child abuse and neglect registries of all states in which the prospective adoptive parents or any other adult living in the home have lived during the five years preceding the date of the preplacement report. (4) An agency, the department, or a court approved individual may charge a reasonable fee based on the time spent in conducting the study and preparing the preplacement report. The court may set a reasonable fee for conducting the study and preparing the report when a court employee has prepared the report. An agency, the department, a court approved individual, or the court may reduce or waive the fee if the financial condition of the person requesting the report so warrants. An agency's, the department's, or court approved individual's, fee is subject to review by the court upon request of the person requesting the report. (5) The person requesting the report shall designate to the agency, the department, the court approved individual, or the court in writing the county in which the preplacement report is to be filed. If the person requesting the report has not filed a petition for adoption, the report shall be indexed in the name of the person requesting the report and a cause number shall be assigned. A fee shall not be charged for filing the report. The applicable filing fee may be charged at the time a petition governed by this chapter is filed. Any subsequent preplacement reports shall be filed together with the original report. (6) A copy of the completed preplacement report shall be delivered to the person requesting the report. (7) A person may request that a report not be completed. A reasonable fee may be charged for the value of work done.
RCW 26.26A.450 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 450
RCW 26.26A.450: Adjudicating parentage of child with adjudicated parent.
Status: in_force

(1) If a child has an adjudicated parent, a proceeding to challenge the adjudication, brought by an individual who was a party to the adjudication or received notice under RCW 26.26A.410 , is governed by the rules governing a collateral attack on a judgment. (2) If a child has an adjudicated parent, the following rules apply to a proceeding to challenge the adjudication of parentage brought by an individual, other than the child, who has standing under RCW 26.26A.405 and was not a party to the adjudication and did not receive notice under RCW 26.26A.410 : (a) The individual must commence the proceeding not later than four years after the effective date of the adjudication. (b) The court may permit the proceeding only if the court finds permitting the proceeding is in the best interest of the child. (c) If the court permits the proceeding, the court shall adjudicate parentage under RCW 26.26A.460 .
RCW 26.44.220 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 220
RCW 26.44.220: Abuse of adolescents—Staff training curriculum.
Status: in_force

(1) Within existing resources, the department shall develop a curriculum designed to train department staff who assess or provide services to adolescents on how to screen and respond to referrals to child protective services when those referrals may involve victims of abuse or neglect between the ages of eleven and eighteen. At a minimum, the curriculum developed pursuant to this section shall include: (a) Review of relevant laws and regulations, including the requirement that the department investigate complaints if a parent's or caretaker's actions result in serious physical or emotional harm or present an imminent risk of serious harm to any person under eighteen; (b) Review of departmental policies that require assessment and screening of abuse and neglect referrals on the basis of risk and not age; (c) Explanation of safety assessment and risk assessment models; (d) Case studies of situations in which the department has received reports of alleged abuse or neglect of older children and adolescents; (e) Discussion of best practices in screening and responding to referrals involving older children and adolescents; and (f) Discussion of how abuse and neglect referrals related to adolescents are investigated and when law enforcement must be notified. (2) As it develops its curriculum pursuant to this section, the department shall request that the office of the family and children's ombuds review and comment on its proposed training materials. The department shall consider the comments and recommendations of the office of the family and children's ombuds as it develops the curriculum required by this section. (3) The department shall complete the curriculum materials required by this section no later than December 31, 2005. (4) Within existing resources, the department shall incorporate training on the curriculum developed pursuant to this section into existing training for child protective services workers who screen intake calls, department staff responsible for assessing or providing services to older children and adolescents, and all new employees of the department responsible for assessing or providing services to older children and adolescents.
RCW 26.09.105 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 105
RCW 26.09.105: Child support—Medical support—Conditions.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever a child support order is entered or modified under this chapter, the court shall require both parents to provide medical support for any child named in the order as provided in this section. (a) The child support order must include an obligation to provide health care coverage that is both accessible to all children named in the order and available at reasonable cost to the obligated parent. (b) The court must allocate the cost of health care coverage between the parents. (2) Medical support consists of: (a) Health care coverage, which may consist of health insurance coverage or public health care coverage; and (b) Cash medical support, which consists of: (i) A parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage provided by a public entity or by another parent, which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but no more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation; and (ii) A parent's proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses. (3) The parents share the obligation to provide medical support for the child or children specified in the order, by providing health care coverage or contributing a cash medical support obligation when appropriate, and paying a proportionate share of any uninsured medical expenses. (4) Under appropriate circumstances, the court may excuse one parent from the responsibility to provide health care coverage or the monthly payment toward the premium. The child's receipt of public health care coverage may not be the sole basis for excusing a parent from providing health insurance coverage through an employer or union. (5)(a) The court may specify how medical support must be provided by each parent under subsection (6) of this section. (b) If the court does not specify how medical support will be provided or if neither parent provides proof that he or she is providing health care coverage for the child at the time the support order is entered, the division of child support or either parent may enforce a parent's obligation to provide medical support under RCW 26.18.170 . (6)(a) If there is sufficient evidence provided at the time the order is entered, the court may make a determination of which parent must provide health care coverage and which parent must contribute a sum certain amount as his or her monthly payment toward the premium. (b) If both parents have available health insurance coverage or health care coverage that is accessible to the child at the time the support order is entered, the court has discretion to order the parent with better coverage to provide the coverage for the child and the other parent to pay a monthly payment toward the premium. In making the determination of which coverage is better, the court shall consider the needs of the child, the cost and extent of each parent's coverage, and the accessibility of the coverage. (c) Each parent shall be responsible for his or her proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses. (7) The order must provide that if the parties' circumstances change, the parties' medical support obligations will be enforced as provided in RCW 26.18.170 . (8) A parent who is ordered to maintain or provide health care coverage may comply with that requirement by: (a) Providing proof of accessible health care coverage for any child named in the order; or (b) Providing coverage that can be extended to cover the child that is available to that parent through employment or that is union-related, if the cost of such coverage does not exceed twenty-five percent of that parent's basic child support obligation. (9) The order must provide that, while an obligated parent may satisfy his or her health care coverage obligation by enrolling the child in public health care coverage, that parent is also required to provide accessible health insurance coverage for the child if it is available at no cost through the parent's employer or union. (10) The order must provide that the fact that one parent enrolled the child in public health care coverage does not satisfy the other parent's health care coverage obligation unless the support order provides otherwise. A parent may satisfy the obligation to provide health care coverage by: (a) First enrolling the child in available and accessible health insurance coverage through the parent's employer or union if such coverage is available for no more than twenty-five percent of the parent's basic support obligation; or (b) If there is no accessible health insurance coverage for the child available through the parent's employer or union, contributing a proportionate share of any premium paid by the other parent or the state for public health care coverage for the child. (11) The court may order a parent to provide health care coverage that exceeds twenty-five percent of that parent's basic support obligation if it is in the best interests of the child to provide coverage. (12) Each parent is responsible for his or her proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses for the child or children covered by the support order. (13) The parents must maintain health care coverage as required under this section until: (a) Further order of the court; (b) The child is emancipated, if there is no express language to the contrary in the order; or (c) Health insurance is no longer available through the parents' employer or union and no conversion privileges exist to continue coverage following termination of employment. (14) A parent who is required to extend health insurance coverage to a child under this section is liable for any covered health care costs for which the parent receives direct payment from an insurer. (15) A parent ordered to provide health care coverage must provide proof of such coverage or proof that such coverage is unavailable within twenty days of the entry of the order to: (a) The other parent; or (b) The department of social and health services if the parent has been notified or ordered to make support payments to the Washington state support registry. (16) Every order requiring a parent to provide health care or insurance coverage must be entered in compliance with *RCW 26.23.050 and be subject to direct enforcement as provided under chapter 26.18 RCW. (17) When a parent is providing health insurance or health care coverage at the time the order is entered, the premium shall be included in the worksheets for the calculation of child support under chapter 26.19 RCW. (18) As used in this section: (a) "Accessible" means health care coverage which provides primary care services to the child or children with reasonable effort by the custodian. (b) "Cash medical support" means a combination of: (i) A parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage provided by a public entity or by another parent, which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but no more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation; and (ii) a parent's proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses. (c) "Uninsured medical expenses" includes premiums, copays, deductibles, along with other health care costs not covered by health care coverage. (d) "Obligated parent" means a parent ordered to provide health insurance coverage for the children. (e) "Proportionate share" means an amount equal to a parent's percentage share of the combined monthly net income of both parents as computed when determining a parent's child support obligation under chapter 26.19 RCW. (f) "Monthly payment toward the premium" means a parent's contribution toward premiums paid for coverage provided by a public entity or by another parent, which is based on the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but no more than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation. (g) "Premium" means the amount paid for coverage provided by a public entity or by another parent for a child covered by the order. This term may also mean "cost of coverage." (19) This section does not limit the authority of the court to enter or modify support orders containing provisions for payment of uninsured health expenses, health care costs, or insurance premiums which are in addition to and not inconsistent with this section. (20) The department of social and health services has rule-making authority to enact rules in compliance with 45 C.F.R. Parts 302, 303, 304, 305, and 308.
RCW 26.04.050 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 04 / Section 050
RCW 26.04.050: Who may solemnize.
Status: in_force

The following named officers and persons, active or retired, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages, to wit: Justices of the supreme court; judges of the court of appeals; judges of the superior courts; supreme court commissioners; court of appeals commissioners; superior court commissioners; judges and commissioners of courts of limited jurisdiction as defined in RCW 3.02.010 ; justices of the supreme court of the United States; judges and judicial officers of the federal courts; judges of tribal courts from a federally recognized tribe; and any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization. The solemnization of a marriage by a tribal court judge pursuant to authority under this section does not create tribal court jurisdiction and does not affect state court authority as otherwise provided by law to enter a judgment for purposes of any dissolution, legal separation, or other proceedings related to the marriage that is binding on the parties and entitled to full faith and credit.
RCW 26.21A.655 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 655
RCW 26.21A.655: Conditions of rendition.
Status: in_force

(1) Before making a demand that the governor of another state surrender an individual charged criminally in this state with having failed to provide for the support of an obligee, the governor of this state may require a prosecutor of this state to demonstrate that at least sixty days previously the obligee had initiated proceedings for support pursuant to this chapter or that the proceeding would be of no avail. (2) If, under this chapter or a law substantially similar to this chapter, the governor of another state makes a demand that the governor of this state surrender an individual charged criminally in that state with having failed to provide for the support of a child or other individual to whom a duty of support is owed, the governor may require a prosecutor to investigate the demand and report whether a proceeding for support has been initiated or would be effective. If it appears that a proceeding would be effective but has not been initiated, the governor may delay honoring the demand for a reasonable time to permit the initiation of a proceeding. (3) If a proceeding for support has been initiated and the individual whose rendition is demanded prevails, the governor may decline to honor the demand. If the petitioner prevails and the individual whose rendition is demanded is subject to a support order, the governor may decline to honor the demand if the individual is complying with the support order.
RCW 26.09.170 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 170
RCW 26.09.170: Modification of decree for maintenance or support, property disposition—Termination of maintenance obligation and child support—Grounds.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 26.09.070 (7), the provisions of any decree respecting maintenance or support may be modified: (a) Only as to installments accruing subsequent to the petition for modification or motion for adjustment except motions to compel court-ordered adjustments, which shall be effective as of the first date specified in the decree for implementing the adjustment; and, (b) except as otherwise provided in this section, only upon a showing of a substantial change of circumstances. The provisions as to property disposition may not be revoked or modified, unless the court finds the existence of conditions that justify the reopening of a judgment under the laws of this state. (2) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the decree the obligation to pay future maintenance is terminated upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving maintenance or registration of a new domestic partnership of the party receiving maintenance. (3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the decree, provisions for the support of a child are terminated by emancipation of the child or by the death of the person required to pay support for the child. (4) Unless expressly provided by an order of the superior court or a court of comparable jurisdiction, provisions for the support of a child are terminated upon the marriage or registration of a domestic partnership to each other of parties to a paternity or parentage order, or upon the remarriage or registration of a domestic partnership to each other of parties to a decree of dissolution. The remaining provisions of the order, including provisions establishing parentage, remain in effect. (5)(a) A party to an order of child support may petition for a modification based upon a showing of substantially changed circumstances at any time. (b) The voluntary unemployment or voluntary underemployment of the person required to pay support, by itself, is not a substantial change of circumstances. (6) An order of child support may be modified at any time to add language regarding abatement to ten dollars per month per order due to the incarceration of the person required to pay support, as provided in RCW 26.09.320 . (a) The department of social and health services, the person entitled to receive support or the payee under the order, or the person required to pay support may petition for a prospective modification of a child support order if the person required to pay support is currently confined in a jail, prison, or correctional facility for at least six months or is serving a sentence greater than six months in a jail, prison, or correctional facility, and the support order does not contain language regarding abatement due to incarceration. (b) The petition may only be filed if the person required to pay support is currently incarcerated. (c) As part of the petition for modification, the petitioner may also request that the support obligation be abated to ten dollars per month per order due to incarceration, as provided in RCW 26.09.320 . (7) An order of child support may be modified without showing a substantial change of circumstances if the requested modification is to modify an existing order when the person required to pay support has been released from incarceration, as provided in RCW 26.09.320 (3)(d). (8) An order of child support may be modified one year or more after it has been entered without a showing of substantially changed circumstances: (a) If the order in practice works a severe economic hardship on either party or the child; (b) If a child is still in high school, upon a finding that there is a need to extend support beyond the eighteenth birthday to complete high school; or (c) To add an automatic adjustment of support provision consistent with RCW 26.09.100 . (9)(a) If twenty-four months have passed from the date of the entry of the order or the last adjustment or modification, whichever is later, the order may be adjusted without a showing of substantially changed circumstances based upon: (i) Changes in the income of the person required to pay support, or of the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support who is a parent of the child or children covered by the order; or (ii) Changes in the economic table or standards in chapter 26.19 RCW. (b) Either party may initiate the adjustment by filing a motion and child support worksheets. (c) If the court adjusts or modifies a child support obligation pursuant to this subsection by more than thirty percent and the change would cause significant hardship, the court may implement the change in two equal increments, one at the time of the entry of the order and the second six months from the entry of the order. Twenty-four months must pass following the second change before a motion for another adjustment under this subsection may be filed. (10)(a) The department of social and health services may file an action to modify or adjust an order of child support if public assistance money is being paid to or for the benefit of the child and the department has determined that the child support order is at least fifteen percent above or below the appropriate child support amount set forth in the standard calculation as defined in RCW 26.19.011 . (b) The department of social and health services may file an action to modify or adjust an order of child support in a nonassistance case if: (i) The department has determined that the child support order is at least fifteen percent above or below the appropriate child support amount set forth in the standard calculation as defined in RCW 26.19.011 ; (ii) The department has determined the case meets the department's review criteria; and (iii) A party to the order or another state or jurisdiction has requested a review. (c) If incarceration of the person required to pay support is the basis for the difference between the existing child support order amount and the proposed amount of support determined as a result of a review, the department may file an action to modify or adjust an order of child support even if: (i) There is no other change of circumstances; and (ii) The change in support does not meet the fifteen percent threshold. (d) The determination of whether the child support order is at least fifteen percent above or below the appropriate child support amount must be based on the current income of the parties. (11) The department of social and health services may file an action to modify or adjust an order of child support under subsections (5) through (9) of this section if: (a) Public assistance money is being paid to or for the benefit of the child; (b) A party to the order in a nonassistance case has requested a review; or (c) Another state or jurisdiction has requested a modification of the order. (12) If testimony other than affidavit is required in any proceeding under this section, a court of this state shall permit a party or witness to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means, unless good cause is shown.
RCW 26.12.260 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 260
RCW 26.12.260: Program to provide services to parties involved in dissolutions and legal separations—Fees.
Status: in_force

(1) After July 1, 2009, but no later than November 1, 2009, a county may, and to the extent state funding is provided to meet the minimum requirements of the program a county shall, create a program to provide services to all parties involved in proceedings under chapter 26.09 RCW. Minimum components of this program shall include: (a) An individual to serve as an initial point of contact for parties filing petitions for dissolutions or legal separations under chapter 26.09 RCW; (b) informing parties about courthouse facilitation programs and orientations; (c) informing parties of alternatives to filing a dissolution petition, such as marriage or domestic partnership counseling; (d) informing parties of alternatives to litigation including counseling, legal separation, and mediation services if appropriate; (e) informing parties of supportive family services available in the community; (f) screening for referral for services in the areas of domestic violence as defined in RCW 7.105.010 , child abuse, substance abuse, and mental health; and (g) assistance to the court in superior court cases filed under chapter 26.09 RCW. (2) This program shall not provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship or privilege is created, by implication or by inference, between persons providing basic information under this section and the participants in the program. (3) The legislative authority of any county may impose user fees or may impose a surcharge of up to twenty dollars on only those superior court cases filed under this title, or both, to pay for the expenses of this program. Fees collected under this section shall be collected and deposited in the same manner as other county funds are collected and deposited, and shall be maintained in a separate account to be used as provided in this section. The program shall provide services to indigent persons at no expense. (4) Persons who implement the program shall be appointed in the same manner as investigators, stenographers, and clerks as described in RCW 26.12.050 . (5) If the county has a program under this section, any petition under RCW 26.09.020 must allege that the moving party met and conferred with the program prior to the filing of the petition. (6) If the county has a program under this section, parties shall meet and confer with the program prior to participation in mediation under RCW 26.09.016 .
RCW 26.55.045 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 55 / Section 045
RCW 26.55.045: Forwarding of order to law enforcement agency.
Status: in_force

(1) A copy of a Canadian domestic violence protection order filed with the clerk, an order granting recognition and enforcement, or an order denying recognition and enforcement under this chapter, shall be forwarded by the clerk of the court on or before the next judicial day to the law enforcement agency specified in the order. An order granting or denying recognition and enforcement shall be accompanied by a copy of the related Canadian domestic violence protection order. (2) Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall comply with the requirements of RCW 7.105.325 .
RCW 26.04.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 04 / Section 020
RCW 26.04.020: Prohibited marriages.
Status: in_force

(1) Marriages in the following cases are prohibited: (a) When either party thereto has a spouse or registered domestic partner living at the time of such marriage, unless the registered domestic partner is the other party to the marriage; or (b) When the spouses are nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, whether of the whole or half blood computing by the rules of the civil law. (2) It is unlawful for any person to marry his or her sibling, child, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. (3) A marriage between two persons that is recognized as valid in another jurisdiction is valid in this state only if the marriage is not prohibited or made unlawful under subsection (1)(a) or (2) of this section. (4) A legal union, other than a marriage, between two individuals that was validly formed in another state or jurisdiction and that provides substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as a marriage, does not prohibit those same two individuals from obtaining a marriage license in Washington. (5) No state agency or local government may base a decision to penalize, withhold benefits from, license, or refuse to contract with any religious organization based on the opposition to or refusal to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, service, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage. (6) No religiously affiliated educational institution shall be required to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, service, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage, including a use of any campus chapel or church. A religiously affiliated educational institution shall be immune from a civil claim or cause of action, including a claim pursuant to chapter 49.60 RCW, based on its refusal to provide accommodations, facilities, advantages, privileges, service, or goods related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage under this subsection shall be immune for civil claim or cause of action, including a claim pursuant to chapter 49.60 RCW.
RCW 26.28.080 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 28 / Section 080
RCW 26.28.080: Selling or giving tobacco to minor—Belief of representative capacity, no defense—Penalty.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6113-S.SL ) ***

(1) A person who sells or gives, or permits to be sold or given, to any person under the age of twenty-one years any cigar, cigarette, cigarette paper or wrapper, tobacco in any form, or a vapor product is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (2) It is not a defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the person acted, or was believed by the defendant to act, as agent or representative of another. (3) For the purposes of this section, "vapor product" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 70.345.010 .
RCW 26.44.188 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 188
RCW 26.44.188: Finding—Intent—Restrictions on dissemination of child forensic interview recordings.
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes an inherent privacy interest that a child has with respect to the child's recorded voice and image when describing the highly sensitive details of abuse or neglect upon the child as defined in RCW 26.44.020 . The legislature further finds that reasonable restrictions on the dissemination of these recordings can accommodate both privacy interests and due process. To that end, the legislature intends to exempt these recordings from dissemination under the public records act and provide additional sanction authority for violations of protective orders that set forth such terms and conditions as are necessary to protect the privacy of the child.
RCW 26.04.200 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 04 / Section 200
RCW 26.04.200: Penalty for violations—1939 c 204.
Status: in_force

Any person intentionally violating any provision of RCW 26.04.140 through 26.04.190 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
RCW 26.09.030 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 030
RCW 26.09.030: Petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership—Court proceedings, findings—Transfer to family court—Legal separation in lieu of dissolution.
Status: in_force

When a party who (1) is a resident of this state, or (2) is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state, or (3) is married or in a domestic partnership to a party who is a resident of this state or who is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state, petitions for a dissolution of marriage or dissolution of domestic partnership, and alleges that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken and when ninety days have elapsed since the petition was filed and from the date when service of summons was made upon the respondent or the first publication of summons was made, the court shall proceed as follows: (a) If the other party joins in the petition or does not deny that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution. (b) If the other party alleges that the petitioner was induced to file the petition by fraud, or coercion, the court shall make a finding as to that allegation and, if it so finds shall dismiss the petition. (c) If the other party denies that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospects for reconciliation and shall: (i) Make a finding that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken and enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership; or (ii) At the request of either party or on its own motion, transfer the cause to the family court, refer them to another counseling service of their choice, and request a report back from the counseling service within sixty days, or continue the matter for not more than sixty days for hearing. If the cause is returned from the family court or at the adjourned hearing, the court shall: (A) Find that the parties have agreed to reconciliation and dismiss the petition; or (B) Find that the parties have not been reconciled, and that either party continues to allege that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken. When such facts are found, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership. (d) If the petitioner requests the court to decree legal separation in lieu of dissolution, the court shall enter the decree in that form unless the other party objects and petitions for a decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity. (e) In considering a petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, a court shall not use a party's pregnancy as the sole basis for denying or delaying the entry of a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. Granting a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership when a party is pregnant does not affect further proceedings under chapter 26.26A or 26.26B RCW.
RCW 37.12.040 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 040
RCW 37.12.040: Effective date for assumption of jurisdiction—Civil causes.
Status: in_force

Upon March 13, 1963 the state of Washington shall assume jurisdiction over civil causes of action as set forth in RCW 37.12.010 between Indians or to which Indians are parties which arise in the lands prescribed in RCW 37.12.010 to the same extent that this state has jurisdiction over other civil causes of action and, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, those civil laws of this state that are of general application to private persons or private property shall have the same force and effect within such lands as they have elsewhere within this state.In counties having more than one judge of the superior court the presiding judge may appoint a judge other than the judge of the family court to act as judge of the family court during any period when the judge of the family court is on vacation, absent, or for any reason unable to perform his or her duties. Any judge so appointed shall have all the powers and authority of a judge of the family court in cases under this chapter.
RCW 26.16.060 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 16 / Section 060
RCW 26.16.060: Power of attorney between spouses or domestic partners.
Status: in_force

A spouse or domestic partner may constitute the other his or her attorney-in-fact to manage, control or dispose of his or her property with the same power of revocation or substitution as could be exercised were they unmarried persons or were they not in a state registered domestic partnership.
RCW 26.26A.215 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 215
RCW 26.26A.215: Acknowledgment or denial of parentage—Requirements.
Status: in_force

(1) An acknowledgment of parentage and a denial of parentage may be contained in a single document or may be in counterparts and may be filed with the state registrar of vital statistics separately or simultaneously. If filing of the acknowledgment and denial both are required under this chapter, neither is effective until both are filed. (2) An acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage may be signed before or after the birth of the child. (3) Subject to subsection (1) of this section, an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage takes effect on the birth of the child or filing of the document with the state registrar of vital statistics, whichever occurs later. (4) An acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage signed by a minor is valid if the acknowledgment complies with this chapter.
RCW 26.60.040 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 60 / Section 040
RCW 26.60.040: Registration—Records—Fees.
Status: in_force

(1) Two persons desiring to become state registered domestic partners who meet the requirements of RCW 26.60.030 may register their domestic partnership by filing a declaration of state registered domestic partnership with the secretary and paying the filing fee established pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. The declaration must be signed by both parties and notarized. (2) Upon receipt of a signed, notarized declaration and the filing fee, the secretary shall register the declaration and provide a certificate of state registered domestic partnership to each party named on the declaration. (3) The secretary shall permanently maintain a record of each declaration of state registered domestic partnership filed with the secretary. The secretary has the authority to update the records to reflect changes in the status of a state registered domestic partnership, such as a change of address, name, dissolution, or death. The secretary shall provide the state registrar of vital statistics with records of declarations of state registered domestic partnerships. (4) The secretary shall set by rule and collect a reasonable fee for filing the declaration, calculated to cover the secretary's costs, but not to exceed fifty dollars. Fees collected under this section are expressly designated for deposit in the secretary of state's revolving fund established under RCW 43.07.130 .
RCW 26.33.210 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 33 / Section 210
RCW 26.33.210: Preplacement or post-placement report—Department or agency may make report.
Status: in_force

The department or an agency having the custody of a child may make the preplacement or post-placement report on a petitioner for the adoption of that child.
RCW 26.26A.510 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 510
RCW 26.26A.510: Order adjudicating parentage.
Status: in_force

(1) An order adjudicating parentage must identify the child in a manner provided by law of this state other than this chapter. (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the court may assess filing fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, fees for genetic testing, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in a proceeding under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 . Attorneys' fees awarded under this subsection may be paid directly to the attorney, and the attorney may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. (3) The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses in a proceeding under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , against a child support agency of this state or another state, except as provided by law of this state other than this chapter. (4) In a proceeding under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , a copy of a bill for genetic testing or prenatal or postnatal health care for the woman who gave birth to the child and the child, provided to the adverse party not later than ten days before a hearing, is admissible to establish: (a) The amount of the charge billed; and (b) That the charge is reasonable and necessary. (5) On request of a party and for good cause, the court in a proceeding under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 , may order the name of the child changed. If the court order changing the name varies from the name on the birth record of the child, the court shall order the state registrar of vital statistics to amend the birth record. (6) On request of a party and for good cause, the court in a proceeding under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 may order the parents listed on the birth record of the child changed. If the adjudicated parents listed in the court order vary from the parents listed on the birth record of the child, the court shall order the state registrar of vital statistics to amend the birth record.
RCW 26.26A.120 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 120
RCW 26.26A.120: Rule-making authority—RCW 26.26A.115.
Status: in_force

The secretary of the department of health may adopt rules under the state administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to implement RCW 26.26A.115 .
RCW 26.18.050 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 18 / Section 050
RCW 26.18.050: Failure to comply with support or maintenance order—Contempt action—Order to show cause—Bench warrant—Continuing jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(1) If an obligor fails to comply with a support or maintenance order, a petition or motion may be filed without notice under RCW 26.18.040 to initiate a contempt action as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW. If the court finds there is reasonable cause to believe the obligor has failed to comply with a support or maintenance order, the court may issue an order to show cause requiring the obligor to appear at a certain time and place for a hearing, at which time the obligor may appear to show cause why the relief requested should not be granted. A copy of the petition or motion shall be served on the obligor along with the order to show cause. (2) Service of the order to show cause shall be by personal service, or in the manner provided in the civil rules of superior court or applicable statute. (3) If the order to show cause served upon the obligor included a warning that an arrest warrant could be issued for failure to appear, the court may issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the obligor if the obligor fails to appear on the return date provided in the order. (4) If the obligor contends at the hearing that he or she lacked the means to comply with the support or maintenance order, the obligor shall establish that he or she exercised due diligence in seeking employment, in conserving assets, or otherwise in rendering himself or herself able to comply with the court's order. (5) As provided in RCW 26.18.040 , the court retains continuing jurisdiction under this chapter and may use a contempt action to enforce a support or maintenance order until the obligor satisfies all duties of support, including arrearages, that accrued pursuant to the support or maintenance order.
RCW 26.14.090 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 14 / Section 090
RCW 26.14.090: Party participation.
Status: in_force

(1) A party may: (a) Be represented in an arbitration by an attorney; (b) Be accompanied by an individual who will not be called as a witness or act as an advocate; and (c) Participate in the arbitration to the full extent permitted under the law and procedural rules of this state other than this chapter governing a party's participation in contractual arbitration. (2) A party or representative of a party may not communicate ex parte with the arbitrator except to the extent allowed in a family law proceeding for communication with a judge.
RCW 26.44.032 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 44 / Section 032
RCW 26.44.032: Legal defense of public employee.
Status: in_force

In cases in which a public employee subject to RCW 26.44.030 acts in good faith and without gross negligence in his or her reporting duty, and if the employee's judgment as to what constitutes reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect is being challenged, the public employer shall provide for the legal defense of the employee.
RCW 26.38.020 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 38 / Section 020
RCW 26.38.020: Limitation on applicability—2022 c 88.
Status: in_force

Chapter 88, Laws of 2022 does not apply to custody of an Indian child, as defined in the Indian child welfare act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903, as amended, to the extent custody is governed by the Indian child welfare act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. Secs. 1901 through 1963, as amended.
RCW 26.26B.120 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26B / Section 120
RCW 26.26B.120: Parenting plan—Designation of parent for other state and federal purposes.
Status: in_force

Solely for the purposes of all other state and federal statutes which require a designation or determination of custody, a parenting plan shall designate the parent with whom the child is scheduled to reside a majority of the time as the custodian of the child. However, this designation shall not affect either parent's rights and responsibilities under the parenting plan. In the absence of such a designation, the parent with whom the child is scheduled to reside the majority of the time shall be deemed to be the custodian of the child for the purposes of such federal and state statutes.
RCW 26.21A.210 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 210
RCW 26.21A.210: Application of law of this state.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a responding tribunal of this state shall: (1) Apply the procedural and substantive law generally applicable to similar proceedings originating in this state and may exercise all powers and provide all remedies available in those proceedings; and (2) Determine the duty of support and the amount payable in accordance with the law and support guidelines of this state.
RCW 26.21A.905 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 905
RCW 26.21A.905: Uniformity of application and construction.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this chapter, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
RCW 26.09.165 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 165
RCW 26.09.165: Court orders—Required language.
Status: in_force

All court orders containing parenting plan provisions or orders of contempt, entered pursuant to RCW 26.09.160 , shall include the following language: WARNING: VIOLATION OF THE RESIDENTIAL PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS TERMS IS PUNISHABLE BY CONTEMPT OF COURT, AND MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER RCW 9A.40.060 (2) or 9A.40.070 (2). VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER MAY SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST.
RCW 26.09.182 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 09 / Section 182
RCW 26.09.182: Permanent parenting plan—Determination of relevant information.
Status: in_force

Before entering a permanent parenting plan, the court shall determine the existence of any information and proceedings relevant to the placement of the child that are available in the judicial information system and databases.
RCW 26.23.050 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 23 / Section 050
RCW 26.23.050: Support orders—Provisions—Enforcement—Confidential information form—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) If the division of child support is providing support enforcement services under RCW 26.23.045 , or if a party is applying for support enforcement services by signing the application form on the bottom of the support order, the superior court shall include in all court orders that establish or modify a support obligation: (a) A provision that orders and directs the person required to pay support to make all support payments to the Washington state support registry; (b) A statement that withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and liens enforced against real and personal property under the child support statutes of this or any other state, without further notice to the person required to pay support at any time after entry of the court order, unless: (i) One of the parties demonstrates, and the court finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding and that withholding should be delayed until a payment is past due; or (ii) The parties reach a written agreement that is approved by the court that provides for an alternate arrangement; (c) A statement that the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support might be required to submit an accounting of how the support, including any cash medical support, is being spent to benefit the child; (d) A statement that a party to the support order who is required to provide health care coverage for the child or children covered by the order must notify the division of child support and the other party to the support order when the coverage terminates; (e) A statement that any privilege of the person required to pay support to obtain and maintain a license, as defined in RCW 74.20A.320 , may not be renewed, or may be suspended if the person is not in compliance with a support order as provided in RCW 74.20A.320 ; and (f) A statement that the support obligation under the order may be abated as provided in RCW 26.09.320 if the person required to pay support is confined in a jail, prison, or correctional facility for at least six months, or is serving a sentence greater than six months in a jail, prison, or correctional facility. As used in this subsection and subsection (3) of this section, "good cause not to require immediate income withholding" means a written determination of why implementing immediate wage withholding would not be in the child's best interests and, in modification cases, proof of timely payment of previously ordered support. (2) In all other cases not under subsection (1) of this section, the court may order the person required to pay support to make payments directly to the person entitled to receive the payments, to the Washington state support registry, or may order that payments be made in accordance with an alternate arrangement agreed upon by the parties. (a) The superior court shall include in all orders under this subsection that establish or modify a support obligation: (i) A statement that withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and liens enforced against real and personal property under the child support statutes of this or any other state, without further notice to the person required to pay support at any time after entry of the court order, unless: (A) One of the parties demonstrates, and the court finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding and that withholding should be delayed until a payment is past due; or (B) The parties reach a written agreement that is approved by the court that provides for an alternate arrangement; (ii) A statement that the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support may be required to submit an accounting of how the support is being spent to benefit the child; (iii) A statement that any party to the order required to provide health care coverage for the child or children covered by the order must notify the division of child support and the other party to the order when the coverage terminates; and (iv) A statement that a party to the order seeking to enforce the other party's obligation to provide health care coverage may: (A) File a motion in the underlying superior court action; or (B) If there is not already an underlying superior court action, initiate an action in the superior court. As used in this subsection, "good cause not to require immediate income withholding" is any reason that the court finds appropriate. (b) The superior court may order immediate or delayed income withholding as follows: (i) Immediate income withholding may be ordered if the person required to pay support has earnings. If immediate income withholding is ordered under this subsection, all support payments shall be paid to the Washington state support registry. The superior court shall issue a mandatory wage assignment order as set forth in chapter 26.18 RCW when the support order is signed by the court. The payee under the order or the person entitled to receive the transfer payment is responsible for serving the employer with the order and for its enforcement as set forth in chapter 26.18 RCW. (ii) If immediate income withholding is not ordered, the court shall require that income withholding be delayed until a payment is past due. The support order shall contain a statement that withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and liens enforced against real and personal property under the child support statutes of this or any other state, without further notice to the person required to pay support, after a payment is past due. (c) If a mandatory income withholding order under chapter 26.18 RCW is issued under this subsection and the division of child support provides support enforcement services under RCW 26.23.045 , the existing wage withholding assignment is prospectively superseded upon the division of child support's subsequent service of an income withholding order. (3) The office of administrative hearings and the department of social and health services shall require that all support obligations established as administrative orders include a provision which orders and directs that the person required to pay support shall make all support payments to the Washington state support registry. All administrative orders shall also state that any privilege of the person required to pay support to obtain and maintain a license, as defined in RCW 74.20A.320 , may not be renewed, or may be suspended if the person is not in compliance with a support order as provided in RCW 74.20A.320 . All administrative orders shall also state that withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and liens enforced against real and personal property under the child support statutes of this or any other state without further notice to the person required to pay support at any time after entry of the order, unless: (a) One of the parties demonstrates, and the presiding officer finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or (b) The parties reach a written agreement that is approved by the presiding officer that provides for an alternate agreement. (4) If the support order does not include the provision ordering and directing that all payments be made to the Washington state support registry and a statement that withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits if a support payment is past due or at any time after the entry of the order, or that licensing privileges of the person required to pay support may not be renewed, or may be suspended, the division of child support may serve a notice on the person stating such requirements and authorizations. Service may be by personal service or any form of mail requiring a return receipt. (5) Every support order shall state: (a) The address where the support payment is to be sent; (b) That withholding action may be taken against wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and liens enforced against real and personal property under the child support statutes of this or any other state, without further notice to the person required to pay support at any time after entry of a support order, unless: (i) One of the parties demonstrates, and the court finds, that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or (ii) The parties reach a written agreement that is approved by the court that provides for an alternate arrangement; (c) The income of the parties, if known, or that their income is unknown and the income upon which the support award is based; (d) The support award as a sum certain amount; (e) The specific day or date on which the support payment is due; (f) The names and ages of the dependent children; (g) A provision requiring both the person required to pay support, and the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support who is a parent of the child or children covered by the order, to keep the Washington state support registry informed of whether he or she has access to health care coverage at reasonable cost and, if so, the health care coverage information; (h) That either or both the person required to pay support, and the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support who is a parent of the child or children covered by the order, shall be obligated to provide medical support for a child or children covered by the order through health care coverage if: (i) The person obligated to provide medical support provides accessible coverage for the child or children through private or public health care coverage; or (ii) Coverage that can be extended to cover the child or children is or becomes available to the person obligated to provide medical support through employment or is union-related; or (iii) In the absence of such coverage, through an additional sum certain amount, as that obligated person's monthly payment toward the premium as provided under RCW 26.09.105 ; (i) That a person obligated to provide medical support who is providing health care coverage must notify both the division of child support and the other party to the order when coverage terminates; (j) That if proof of health care coverage or proof that the coverage is unavailable is not provided within twenty days, the person seeking enforcement or the department may seek direct enforcement of the coverage through the employer or union of the person required to provide medical support without further notice to the person as provided under chapter 26.18 RCW; (k) The reasons for not ordering health care coverage if the order fails to require such coverage; (l) That any privilege of the person required to pay support to obtain and maintain a license, as defined in RCW 74.20A.320 , may not be renewed, or may be suspended if the person is not in compliance with a support order as provided in RCW 74.20A.320 ; (m) That each party to the support order must: (i) Promptly file with the court and update as necessary the confidential information form required by subsection (7) of this section; and (ii) Provide the state case registry and update as necessary the information required by subsection (7) of this section; and (n) That parties to administrative support orders shall provide to the state case registry and update as necessary their residential addresses and the address of the employer of the person required to pay support. The division of child support may adopt rules that govern the collection of parties' current residence and mailing addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers, the names of the children, social security numbers of the children, dates of birth of the children, driver's license numbers, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the parties' employers to enforce an administrative support order. The division of child support shall not release this information if the division of child support determines that there is reason to believe that release of the information may result in physical or emotional harm to the party or to the child, or a restraining order or protective order is in effect to protect one party from the other party. (6) After the person required to pay support has been ordered or notified to make payments to the Washington state support registry under this section, that person shall be fully responsible for making all payments to the Washington state support registry and shall be subject to payroll deduction or other income-withholding action. The person required to pay support shall not be entitled to credit against a support obligation for any payments made to a person or agency other than to the Washington state support registry except as provided under RCW 74.20.101 . A civil action may be brought by the person required to pay support to recover payments made to persons or agencies who have received and retained support moneys paid contrary to the provisions of this section. (7) All petitioners and parties to all court actions under chapters 26.09 , 26.12, 26.18, 26.21A, 26.23, 26.26A, 26.26B, and 26.27 RCW and minor guardianships under chapter 11.130 RCW shall complete to the best of their knowledge a verified and signed confidential information form or equivalent that provides the parties' current residence and mailing addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the parties' employers, to ensure that the parties' information is added to the judicial information system's person database. The clerk of the court shall not accept petitions, except in parentage actions initiated by the state, orders of child support, decrees of dissolution, or parentage orders for filing in such actions unless accompanied by the confidential information form or equivalent, or unless the confidential information form or equivalent is already on file with the court clerk. In lieu of or in addition to requiring the parties to complete a separate confidential information form, the clerk may collect the information in electronic form. The clerk of the court shall transmit the confidential information form or its data to the division of child support with a copy of the order of child support or parentage order, and may provide copies of the confidential information form or its data and any related findings, decrees, parenting plans, orders, or other documents to the state administrative agency that administers Title IV-A, IV-D, IV-E, or XIX of the federal social security act. In state initiated parentage actions, the parties adjudicated the parents of the child or children shall complete the confidential information form or equivalent or the state's attorney of record may complete that form to the best of the attorney's knowledge. (8) The department has rule-making authority to enact rules consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 652(f) and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 666(a)(19) as amended by section 7307 of the deficit reduction act of 2005. Additionally, the department has rule-making authority to implement regulations required under 45 C.F.R. Parts 302, 303, 304, 305, and 308.
RCW 26.12.190 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 12 / Section 190
RCW 26.12.190: Family court jurisdiction as to pending actions—Use of family court services.
Status: in_force

(1) The family court shall have jurisdiction and full power in all pending cases to make, alter, modify, and enforce all temporary and permanent orders regarding the following: Parenting plans, child support, custody of children, visitation, possession of property, maintenance, contempt, custodial interference, and orders for attorneys' fees, suit money or costs as may appear just and equitable. Court commissioners or judges shall not have authority to require the parties to mediate disputes concerning child support. (2) Family court investigation, evaluation, mediation, treatment, and reconciliation services, and any other services may be used to assist the court to develop an order as the court deems necessary to preserve the marriage or the domestic partnership, implement an amicable settlement, and resolve the issues in controversy.
RCW 26.26A.235 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 235
RCW 26.26A.235: Procedure for rescission of an acknowledgment or denial of parentage.
Status: in_force

(1) A signatory may rescind an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage by filing with the state registrar of vital statistics a rescission in a signed record which is attested by a notarial officer or witnessed, before the earlier of: (a) Sixty days after the effective date under RCW 26.26A.215 of the acknowledgment or denial; or (b) The date of the first hearing before a court in a proceeding, to which the signatory is a party, to adjudicate an issue relating to the child, including a proceeding that establishes support. (2) If an acknowledgment of parentage is rescinded under subsection (1) of this section, an associated denial of parentage is invalid, and the state registrar of vital statistics shall notify the woman who gave birth to the child and the individual who signed a denial of parentage of the child that the acknowledgment has been rescinded. Failure to give the notice required by this subsection does not affect the validity of the rescission.
RCW 26.60.010 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 60 / Section 010
RCW 26.60.010: Finding.
Status: in_force

Many Washingtonians are in intimate, committed, and exclusive relationships with another person to whom they are not legally married. These relationships are important to the individuals involved and their families; they also benefit the public by providing a private source of mutual support for the financial, physical, and emotional health of those individuals and their families. The public has an interest in providing a legal framework for such mutually supportive relationships, whether the partners are of the same or different sexes, and irrespective of their sexual orientation. The legislature finds that the public interest would be served by extending rights and benefits to couples in which either or both of the partners are at least sixty-two years of age. While these couples are entitled to marry under the state's marriage statutes, some social security and pension laws nevertheless make it impractical for these couples to marry. For this reason, chapter 156, Laws of 2007 specifically allows couples to enter into a state registered domestic partnership if one of the persons is at least sixty-two years of age, the age at which many people choose to retire and are eligible to begin collecting social security and pension benefits. The rights granted to state registered domestic partners in chapter 156, Laws of 2007 will further Washington's interest in promoting family relationships and protecting family members during life crises. Chapter 156, Laws of 2007 does not affect marriage or any other ways in which legal rights and responsibilities between two adults may be created, recognized, or given effect in Washington.
RCW 26.26A.820 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 26A / Section 820
RCW 26.26A.820: Information about donor—Disclosure of identifying information and medical history on request of a child conceived by assisted reproduction—Access to nonidentifying medical history.
Status: in_force

(1) On request of a child conceived by assisted reproduction who attains eighteen years of age, a gamete bank or fertility clinic licensed in this state which collected the gametes used in the assisted reproduction shall make a good faith effort to provide the child with identifying information of the donor who provided the gametes, unless the donor signed and did not withdraw a declaration under RCW 26.26A.815 (2)(b). If the donor signed and did not withdraw the declaration, the gamete bank or fertility clinic shall make a good faith effort to notify the donor, who may elect under RCW 26.26A.815 (3) to withdraw the donor's declaration. (2) Regardless whether a donor signed a declaration under RCW 26.26A.815 (2)(b), on request by a child conceived by assisted reproduction who attains eighteen years of age, or, if the child is a minor, by a parent or guardian of the child, a gamete bank or fertility clinic licensed in this state which collected the gametes used in the assisted reproduction shall make a good faith effort to provide the child or, if the child is a minor, the parent or guardian of the child, access to nonidentifying medical history of the donor. (3) On request of a child conceived by assisted reproduction who attains eighteen years of age, a gamete bank or fertility clinic licensed in this state which received the gametes used in the assisted reproduction from another gamete bank or fertility clinic shall disclose the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the gamete bank or fertility clinic from which it received the gametes.
RCW 26.21A.603 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 21A / Section 603
RCW 26.21A.603: Applicability.
Status: in_force

This article applies only to a support proceeding under the convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of this article is inconsistent with Articles 1 through 6 of this chapter, this article controls.
RCW 26.40.100 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 40 / Section 100
RCW 26.40.100: Chapter does not affect commitments under other laws.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as affecting the authority of the courts to make commitments as otherwise provided by law.
RCW 26.52.005 — Washington Code / Title 26 / Chapter 52 / Section 005
RCW 26.52.005: Findings—Intent.
Status: in_force

The problem of women fleeing across state lines to escape their abusers is epidemic in the United States. In 1994, Congress enacted the violence against women act (VAWA) as Title IV of the violent crime control and law enforcement act (P.L. 103-322). The VAWA provides for improved prevention and prosecution of violent crimes against women and children. Section 2265 of the VAWA (Title IV, P.L. 103-322) provides for nationwide enforcement of civil and criminal protection orders in state and tribal courts throughout the country. The legislature finds that existing statutes may not provide an adequate mechanism for victims, police, prosecutors, and courts to enforce a foreign protection order in our state. It is the intent of the legislature that the barriers faced by persons entitled to protection under a foreign protection order will be removed and that violations of foreign protection orders be criminally prosecuted in this state.