reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 74.20.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.010 - Purpose—Legislative intent—Chapter to be liberally construed.

RCW 74.20.010 Purpose—Legislative intent—Chapter to be liberally construed.It is the responsibility of the state of Washington through the state department of social and health services to conserve the expenditure of public assistance funds, whenever possible, in order that such funds shall not be expended if there are private funds available or which can be made available by judicial process or otherwise to partially or completely meet the financial needs of the children of this state. The failure of parents to provide adequate financial support and care for their children is a major cause of financial dependency and a contributing cause of social delinquency.The purpose of this chapter is to provide the state of Washington, through the department of social and health services, a more effective and efficient way to effect the support of dependent children by the person or persons who, under the law, are primarily responsible for such support and to lighten the heavy burden of the taxpayer, who in many instances is paying toward the support of dependent children while those persons primarily responsible are avoiding their obligations. It is the intention of the legislature that the powers delegated to the said department in this chapter be liberally construed to the end that persons legally responsible for the care and support of children within the state be required to assume their legal obligations in order to reduce the financial cost to the state of Washington in providing public assistance funds for the care of children. It is the intention of the legislature that the department provide sufficient staff to carry out the purposes of this chapter, chapter 74.20A RCW, the abandonment and nonsupport statutes, and any applicable federal support enforcement statute administered by the department. It is also the intent of the legislature that the staff responsible for support enforcement be encouraged to conduct their support enforcement duties with fairness, courtesy, and the highest professional standards.[ 1979 ex.s. c 171 § 24; 1979 c 141 § 364; 1963 c 206 § 1; 1959 c 322 § 2.]NOTES:Severability—1979 ex.s. c 171: See note following RCW 74.20.300.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.021 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.021 - Definitions.

RCW 74.20.021 Definitions.See RCW 74.20A.020.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.045 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.045 - Employment status—Self-employed individuals—Enforcement.

RCW 74.20.045 Employment status—Self-employed individuals—Enforcement.The office of support enforcement shall, as a matter of policy, use all available remedies for the enforcement of support obligations where the obligor is a self-employed individual. The office of support enforcement shall not discriminate in favor of certain obligors based upon employment status.[ 1994 c 299 § 16.]NOTES:Intent—Finding—Severability—Conflict with federal requirements—1994 c 299: See notes following RCW 74.12.400.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.055 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.055 - Designated agency under federal law—Role of prosecuting attorneys.

RCW 74.20.055 Designated agency under federal law—Role of prosecuting attorneys.The department of social and health services office of support enforcement is the designated agency in Washington state to administer the child support program under Title IV-D of the federal social security act and is responsible for providing necessary and mandated support enforcement services and ensuring that such services are available statewide. It is the intent of the legislature to enhance the total child support program in this state by granting the office of support enforcement administrative powers and flexibility. If the exercise of this authority is used to supplant or replace the role of the prosecuting attorneys for reasons other than economy or federal compliance, the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys shall report to the committees on judiciary of the senate and house of representatives.[ 1985 c 276 § 17.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.057 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.057 - Adjudicative proceedings—Role of department.

RCW 74.20.057 Adjudicative proceedings—Role of department.When the department appears or participates in an adjudicative proceeding under chapter 26.23 or 74.20A RCW it shall:(1) Act in furtherance of the state's financial interest in the matter;(2) Act in the best interests of the children of the state;(3) Facilitate the resolution of the controversy; and(4) Make independent recommendations to ensure the integrity and proper application of the law and process.In the proceedings the department does not act on behalf or as an agent or representative of an individual.[ 1994 c 230 § 18.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.060 - Cooperation by person having custody of child—Penalty.

RCW 74.20.060 Cooperation by person having custody of child—Penalty.Any person having the care, custody or control of any dependent child or children who shall fail or refuse to cooperate with the department of social and health services, any prosecuting attorney or the attorney general in the course of administration of provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.[ 1979 c 141 § 365; 1959 c 322 § 7.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.065 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.065 - Wrongful deprivation of custody—Legal custodian excused from support payments.

RCW 74.20.065 Wrongful deprivation of custody—Legal custodian excused from support payments.If the legal custodian has been wrongfully deprived of physical custody, the department is authorized to excuse the custodian from support payments for a child or children receiving or on whose behalf public assistance was provided under chapter 74.12 RCW, or for a child or children on behalf of whom the department is providing nonassistance support enforcement services.[ 2002 c 199 § 4; 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 § 31.]NOTES:Severability—1983 1st ex.s. c 41: See note following RCW 26.09.060.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.101 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.101 - Payment of support moneys to state support registry—Notice—Effects of noncompliance.

RCW 74.20.101 Payment of support moneys to state support registry—Notice—Effects of noncompliance.(1) A responsible parent shall make all support payments through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry if:(a) The parent's support order contains a provision directing the parent to make support payments through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry; or(b) If the parent has received written notice from the office of support enforcement under RCW 26.23.110, 74.20A.040, or 74.20A.055 that all future support payments must be made through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry.(2) A responsible parent who has been ordered or notified to make support payments to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry shall not receive credit for payments which are not paid to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry unless:(a) The department determines that the granting of credit would not prejudice the rights of the residential parent or other person or agency entitled to receive the support payments and circumstances of an equitable nature exist; or(b) A court, after a hearing at which all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard, on equitable principles, orders that credit be given.(3) The rights of the payee under an order for support shall not be prejudiced if the department grants credit under subsection (2)(a) of this section. If the department determines that credit should be granted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the department shall mail notice of its decision to the last known address of the payee, together with information about the procedure to contest the determination.[ 1989 c 360 § 7; 1987 c 435 § 30; 1979 ex.s. c 171 § 13; 1973 1st ex.s. c 183 § 2; 1969 ex.s. c 173 § 16.]NOTES:Effective date—1987 c 435: See RCW 26.23.900.Severability—1979 ex.s. c 171: See note following RCW 74.20.300.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.160 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.160 - Department may disclose information to internal revenue department.

RCW 74.20.160 Department may disclose information to internal revenue department.Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 74.04.060, upon approval of the department of health, education and welfare of the federal government, the department of social and health services may disclose to and keep the internal revenue department of the treasury of the United States advised of the names of all persons who are under legal obligation to support any dependent child or children and who are not doing so, to the end that the internal revenue department may have available to it the names of such persons for review in connection with income tax returns and claims of dependencies made by persons filing income tax returns.[ 1979 c 141 § 366; 1963 c 206 § 5; 1959 c 322 § 17.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.210 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.210 - Attorney general may act under Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act pursuant to agreement with prosecuting attorney.

RCW 74.20.210 Attorney general may act under Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act pursuant to agreement with prosecuting attorney.The prosecuting attorney of any county except a county with a population of one million or more may enter into an agreement with the attorney general whereby the duty to initiate petitions for support authorized under the provisions of *chapter 26.21 RCW as it is now or hereafter amended (**Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act) in cases where the petitioner has applied for or is receiving public assistance on behalf of a dependent child or children shall become the duty of the attorney general. Any such agreement may also provide that the attorney general has the duty to represent the petitioner in intercounty proceedings within the state initiated by the attorney general which involve a petition received from another county. Upon the execution of such agreement, the attorney general shall be empowered to exercise any and all powers of the prosecuting attorney in connection with said petitions.[ 1991 c 363 § 150; 1969 ex.s. c 173 § 14; 1963 c 206 § 6.]NOTES:Reviser's note: *(1) Chapter 26.21 RCW was repealed by 2002 c 198 § 901, effective January 1, 2007. Later enactment, see chapter 26.21A RCW.**(2) The "Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act" was redesignated the "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act" by 1993 c 318.Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.220 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.220 - Powers of department through the attorney general or prosecuting attorney.

RCW 74.20.220 Powers of department through the attorney general or prosecuting attorney.In order to carry out its responsibilities imposed under this chapter and as required by federal law, the state department of social and health services, through the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, is hereby authorized to:(1) Initiate an action in superior court to obtain a support order or obtain other relief related to support for a dependent child on whose behalf the department is providing public assistance or support enforcement services under RCW 74.20.040, or to enforce a superior court order.(2) Appear as a party in dissolution, child support, parentage, maintenance suits, or other proceedings, for the purpose of representing the financial interest and actions of the state of Washington therein.(3) Petition the court for modification of a superior court order when the office of support enforcement is providing support enforcement services under RCW 74.20.040.(4) When the attorney general or prosecuting attorney appears in, defends, or initiates actions to establish, modify, or enforce child support obligations he or she represents the state, the best interests of the child relating to parentage, and the best interests of the children of the state, but does not represent the interests of any other individual.(5) If public assistance has been applied for or granted on behalf of a child of parents who are divorced or legally separated, the attorney general or prosecuting attorney may apply to the superior court in such action for an order directing either parent or both to show cause:(a) Why an order of support for the child should not be entered, or(b) Why the amount of support previously ordered should not be increased, or(c) Why the parent should not be held in contempt for his or her failure to comply with any order of support previously entered.(6) Initiate any civil proceedings deemed necessary by the department to secure reimbursement from the parent or parents of minor dependent children for all moneys expended by the state in providing assistance or services to said children.(7) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the attorney general or prosecuting attorney to use any and all civil and criminal remedies to enforce, establish, or modify child support obligations whether or not the custodial parent receives public assistance.[ 1991 c 367 § 44; 1979 c 141 § 367; 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 112; 1969 ex.s. c 173 § 15; 1963 c 206 § 7.]NOTES:Severability—Effective date—Captions not law—1991 c 367: See notes following RCW 26.09.015.Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.225 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.225 - Subpoena authority—Enforcement.

RCW 74.20.225 Subpoena authority—Enforcement.In carrying out the provisions of this chapter or chapters 26.18, 26.23, 26.26A, 26.26B, and 74.20A RCW, the secretary and other duly authorized officers of the department may subpoena witnesses, take testimony, and compel the production of such papers, books, records, and documents as they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties. The division of child support may enforce subpoenas issued under this power according to RCW 74.20A.350.[ 2019 c 46 § 5047; 1997 c 58 § 898.]NOTES:Short title—Part headings, captions, table of contents not law—Exemptions and waivers from federal law—Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1997 c 58: See RCW 74.08A.900 through 74.08A.904.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.230 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.230 - Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance.

RCW 74.20.230 Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance.Any married parent with minor children, natural or legally adopted children who is receiving public assistance may apply to the superior court of the county in which such parent resides or in which the spouse may be found for an order upon such spouse, if such spouse is the natural or adoptive mother or father of such children, to provide for such spouse's support and the support of such spouse's minor children by filing in such county a petition setting forth the facts and circumstances upon which such spouse relies for such order. If it appears to the satisfaction of the court that such parent is without funds to employ counsel, the state department of social and health services through the attorney general may file such petition on behalf of such parent. If satisfied that a just cause exists, the court shall direct that a citation issue to the other spouse requiring such spouse to appear at a time set by the court to show cause why an order of support should not be entered in the matter.[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 § 113; 1963 c 206 § 8.]NOTES:Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 154: See note following RCW 2.12.030.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.240 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.240 - Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance—Order—Powers of court.

RCW 74.20.240 Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance—Order—Powers of court.(1) After the hearing of the petition for an order of support the court shall make an order granting or denying it and fixing, if allowed, the terms and amount of the support. (2) The court has the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of testimony as in actions and suits, to make such decree or orders as are equitable in view of the circumstances of both parties and to punish violations thereof as other contempts are punished.[ 1963 c 206 § 9.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.250 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.250 - Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance—Waiver of filing fees.

RCW 74.20.250 Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance—Waiver of filing fees.The court may, upon satisfactory showing that the petitioner is without funds to pay the filing fee, order that the petition and other papers be filed without payment of the fee.[ 1963 c 206 § 10.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.260 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.260 - Financial statements by parent whose absence is basis of application for public assistance.

RCW 74.20.260 Financial statements by parent whose absence is basis of application for public assistance.Any parent in the state whose absence is the basis upon which an application is filed for public assistance on behalf of a child shall be required to complete a statement, under oath, of his or her current monthly income, his or her total income over the past twelve months, the number of dependents for whom he or she is providing support, the amount he or she is contributing regularly toward the support of all children for whom application for such assistance is made, his or her current monthly living expenses, and such other information as is pertinent to determining his or her ability to support his or her children. Such statement shall be provided upon demand made by the state department of social and health services or attorney general, and if assistance based upon such application is granted on behalf of such child, additional statements shall be filed annually thereafter with the state department of social and health services until such time as the child is no longer receiving such assistance. Failure to comply with this section shall constitute a misdemeanor.[ 2013 c 23 § 214; 1979 c 141 § 368; 1963 c 206 § 11.]
WA Rev Code § 74.20.280 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.280 - Central unit for information and administration—Cooperation enjoined—Availability of records.

RCW 74.20.280 Central unit for information and administration—Cooperation enjoined—Availability of records.The department is authorized and directed to establish a central unit to serve as a registry for the receipt of information, for answering interstate inquiries concerning the parents of dependent children, to coordinate and supervise departmental activities in relation to such parents, to assure effective cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and to perform other functions authorized by state and federal support enforcement and child custody statutes and regulations.To effectuate the purposes of this section, the secretary may request from state, county and local agencies all information and assistance as authorized by this chapter. Upon the request of the department of social and health services, all state, county and city agencies, officers and employees shall cooperate in the location of the parents of a dependent child and shall supply the department with all information relative to the location, income and property of such parents, notwithstanding any provision of law making such information confidential.Any records established pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be available only to the attorney general, prosecuting attorneys, courts having jurisdiction in support and/or abandonment proceedings or actions, or other authorized agencies or persons for use consistent with the intent of state and federal support enforcement and child custody statutes and regulations.[ 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 § 15; 1979 c 141 § 370; 1963 c 206 § 13.]NOTES:Severability—1983 1st ex.s. c 41: See note following RCW 26.09.060.
WA Rev Code § 74.20.300 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.20 - Support of Dependent Children.|74.20.300 - Department exempt from fees relating to paternity or support.

RCW 74.20.300 Department exempt from fees relating to paternity or support.No filing or recording fees, court fees, or fees for making copies of documents shall be required from the state department of social and health services by any county clerk, county auditor, or other county officer for the filing of any actions or documents necessary to establish paternity or enforce or collect support moneys.Filing fees shall also not be required of any prosecuting attorney or the attorney general for action to establish paternity or enforce or collect support moneys.[ 1979 ex.s. c 171 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 183 § 3; 1963 c 206 § 15.]NOTES:Severability—1979 ex.s. c 171: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1979 ex.s. c 171 § 28.]