S-4097.2                   _______________________________________________

 

                                                     SENATE BILL 6263

                              _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1994 Regular Session

 

By Senators A. Smith and Quigley

 

Read first time 01/18/94.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

 

Authorizing judges to order a party to surrender deadly weapons when issuing specified orders.



          AN ACT Relating to the surrender of deadly weapons in domestic violence situations; amending RCW 9A.46.050, 10.14.080, 10.99.040, 10.99.045, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.26.137, and 26.50.070; reenacting and amending RCW 9.41.010, 26.26.130, and 26.50.060; and adding a new section to chapter 9.41 RCW.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

        Sec. 1.  RCW 9.41.010 and 1992 c 205 s 117 and 1992 c 145 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

          Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

          (1) "Short firearm" or "pistol" ((as used in this chapter)) means any firearm with a barrel less than twelve inches in length.

          (2) "Crime of violence" ((as used in this chapter)) means:

          (a) Any of the following felonies, as now existing or hereafter amended:  Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an attempt to commit a class A felony, criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony, manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, indecent liberties if committed by forcible compulsion, rape in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree, arson in the second degree, assault in the second degree, assault of a child in the second degree, extortion in the first degree, burglary in the second degree, ((and)) robbery in the second degree, child molestation in the second degree, controlled substance homicide, incest when committed against a child under age fourteen, indecent liberties, leading organized crime, promoting prostitution in the first degree, rape in the third degree, sexual exploitation, vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner, any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation, as "sexual motivation" is defined under RCW 9.94A.030, and any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict under RCW 9.94A.125;

          (b) Any conviction or adjudication for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to ((July 1, 1976)) the effective date of this act, which is comparable to a felony classified as a crime of violence in subsection (2)(a) of this section; and

          (c) Any federal or out-of-state conviction or adjudication for an offense comparable to a felony classified as a crime of violence under subsection (2) (a) or (b) of this section.

          (3) "Firearm" ((as used in this chapter)) means a weapon or device from which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.

          (4) "Commercial seller" ((as used in this chapter)) means a person who has a federal firearms license.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 9.41 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) Any court when entering an order authorized under RCW 9A.46.080, 10.14.080, 10.99.040, 10.99.045, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.26.130, 26.26.137, 26.50.060, or 26.50.070 shall, upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence, that a party has:  Used, displayed, or threatened to use a deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 in a crime of violence; threatened a party or witness to the action; or previously committed any offense which makes him or her ineligible to possess a pistol under the provisions of RCW 9.41.040:

          (a) Require the party to surrender any deadly weapon;

          (b) Require the party to surrender any concealed pistol license issued under RCW 9.41.070;

          (c) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a deadly weapon;

          (d) Prohibit the party from obtaining or possessing a concealed pistol license.

          (2) The court may order temporary surrender of a deadly weapon without notice to the other party if it finds, on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence, that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for response has elapsed.

          (3) In addition to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the court may enter an order requiring a party to comply with the provisions in subsection (1) of this section if it finds that the possession of a firearm by any party presents a serious and imminent threat to public health or safety, or to the health or safety of any individual.

          (4) The requirements of subsections (1) and (3) of this section may be for a period less than the duration of the order.

          (5) The court may require the party to surrender any deadly weapon in his or her immediate possession or control or subject to his or her immediate possession or control to the sheriff of the county having jurisdiction of the proceeding or to the restrained or enjoined party's counsel or to any person designated by the court.

 

        Sec. 3.  RCW 9A.46.050 and 1985 c 288 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

          A defendant who is charged by citation, complaint, or information with an offense involving harassment and not arrested shall appear in court for arraignment in person as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fourteen days after the next day on which court is in session following the issuance of the citation or the filing of the complaint or information.  At that appearance, the court shall determine the necessity of imposing a no-contact or no-harassment order, and consider the provisions of section 2 of this act, or other conditions of pretrial release according to the procedures established by court rule for preliminary appearance or an arraignment.

 

        Sec. 4.  RCW 10.14.080 and 1992 c 143 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Upon filing a petition for a civil antiharassment protection order under this chapter, the petitioner may obtain an ex parte temporary antiharassment protection order.  An ex parte temporary antiharassment protection order may be granted with or without notice upon the filing of an affidavit which, to the satisfaction of the court, shows reasonable proof of unlawful harassment of the petitioner by the respondent and that great or irreparable harm will result to the petitioner if the temporary antiharassment protection order is not granted.

          (2) An ex parte temporary antiharassment protection order shall be effective for a fixed period not to exceed fourteen days or twenty-four days if the court has permitted service by publication under RCW 10.14.085.  The ex parte order may be reissued.  A full hearing, as provided in this chapter, shall be set for not later than fourteen days from the issuance of the temporary order or not later than twenty-four days if service by publication is permitted.  Except as provided in RCW 10.14.070 and 10.14.085, the respondent shall be personally served with a copy of the ex parte order along with a copy of the petition and notice of the date set for the hearing.

          (3) At the hearing, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that unlawful harassment exists, a civil antiharassment protection order shall issue prohibiting such unlawful harassment.

          (4) An order issued under this chapter shall be effective for not more than one year unless the court finds that the respondent is likely to resume unlawful harassment of the petitioner when the order expires.  If so, the court may enter an order for a fixed time exceeding one year or may enter a permanent antiharassment protection order.  The court shall not enter an order that is effective for more than one year if the order restrains the respondent from contacting the respondent's minor children.  If the petitioner seeks relief for a period longer than one year on behalf of the respondent's minor children, the court shall advise the petitioner that the petitioner may apply for renewal of the order as provided in this chapter or if appropriate may seek relief pursuant to chapter 26.09 or 26.10 RCW.

          (5) At any time within the three months before the expiration of the order, the petitioner may apply for a renewal of the order by filing a petition for renewal.  The petition for renewal shall state the reasons why the petitioner seeks to renew the protection order.  Upon receipt of the petition for renewal, the court shall order a hearing which shall be not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.  Except as provided in RCW 10.14.085, personal service shall be made upon the respondent not less than five days before the hearing.  If timely service cannot be made the court shall set a new hearing date and shall either require additional attempts at obtaining personal service or permit service by publication as provided by RCW 10.14.085.  If the court permits service by publication, the court shall set the new hearing date not later than twenty-four days from the date of the order.  If the order expires because timely service cannot be made the court shall grant an ex parte order of protection as provided in this section.  The court shall grant the petition for renewal unless the respondent proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent will not resume harassment of the petitioner when the order expires.  The court may renew the protection order for another fixed time period or may enter a permanent order as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

          (6) The court, in granting an ex parte temporary antiharassment protection order or a civil antiharassment protection order, shall have broad discretion to grant such relief as the court deems proper, including an order:

          (a) Restraining the respondent from making any attempts to contact the petitioner;

          (b) Restraining the respondent from making any attempts to keep the petitioner under surveillance; ((and))

          (c) Requiring the respondent to stay a stated distance from the petitioner's residence and workplace; and

          (d) Considering the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (7) A petitioner may not obtain an ex parte temporary antiharassment protection order against a respondent if the petitioner has previously obtained two such ex parte orders against the same respondent but has failed to obtain the issuance of a civil antiharassment protection order unless good cause for such failure can be shown.

          (8) The court order shall specify the date an order issued pursuant to subsections (4) and (5) of this section expires if any.  The court order shall also state whether the court issued the protection order following personal service or service by publication and whether the court has approved service by publication of an order issued under this section.

 

        Sec. 5.  RCW 10.99.040 and 1992 c 86 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Because of the serious nature of domestic violence, the court in domestic violence actions:

          (a) Shall not dismiss any charge or delay disposition because of concurrent dissolution or other civil proceedings;

          (b) Shall not require proof that either party is seeking a dissolution of marriage prior to instigation of criminal proceedings;

          (c) Shall waive any requirement that the victim's location be disclosed to any person, other than the attorney of a criminal defendant, upon a showing that there is a possibility of further violence:  PROVIDED, That the court may order a criminal defense attorney not to disclose to his or her client the victim's location; and

          (d) Shall identify by any reasonable means on docket sheets those criminal actions arising from acts of domestic violence.

          (2) Because of the likelihood of repeated violence directed at those who have been victims of domestic violence in the past, when any person charged with or arrested for a crime involving domestic violence is released from custody before arraignment or trial on bail or personal recognizance, the court authorizing the release may prohibit that person from having any contact with the victim.  The jurisdiction authorizing the release shall determine whether that person should be prohibited from having any contact with the victim.  If there is no outstanding restraining or protective order prohibiting that person from having contact with the victim, the court authorizing release may issue, by telephone, a no-contact order prohibiting the person charged or arrested from having contact with the victim.  In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.  The no-contact order shall also be issued in writing as soon as possible.  ((If the court has probable cause to believe that the person charged or arrested is likely to use or display or threaten to use a deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 in any further acts of violence, the court may also require that person to surrender any deadly weapon in that person's immediate possession or control, or subject to that person's immediate possession or control, to the sheriff of the county or chief of police of the municipality in which that person resides or to the defendant's counsel for safekeeping.))

          (3) At the time of arraignment the court shall determine whether a no-contact order shall be issued or extended.  If a no-contact order is issued or extended, the court may also include in the conditions of release a requirement that the defendant submit to electronic monitoring.  If electronic monitoring is ordered, the court shall specify who shall provide the monitoring services, and the terms under which the monitoring shall be performed.  Upon conviction, the court may require as a condition of the sentence that the defendant reimburse the providing agency for the costs of the electronic monitoring.

          (4)(a) Willful violation of a court order issued under subsection (2) or (3) of this section is a misdemeanor.  Upon conviction and in addition to other penalties provided by law, the court may require that the defendant submit to electronic monitoring.  The court shall specify who shall provide the electronic monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring must be performed.  The court also may include a requirement that the defendant pay the costs of the monitoring.  The court shall consider the ability of the convicted person to pay for electronic monitoring.

          (b) Any assault that is a violation of an order issued under this section and that does not amount to assault in the first or second degree under RCW 9A.36.011 or 9A.36.021 is a class C felony, and any conduct in violation of a protective order issued under this section that is reckless and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person is a class C felony.

          (c) The written order releasing the person charged or arrested shall contain the court's directives and shall bear the legend:  Violation of this order is a criminal offense under chapter 10.99 RCW and will subject a violator to arrest; any assault or reckless endangerment that is a violation of this order is a felony.  A certified copy of the order shall be provided to the victim.  If a no-contact order has been issued prior to charging, that order shall expire at arraignment or within seventy-two hours if charges are not filed.  Such orders need not be entered into the computer information system in this state which is used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.

          (5) Whenever an order prohibiting contact is issued, modified, or terminated under subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the clerk of the court shall forward a copy of the order on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.  Upon receipt of the copy of the order the law enforcement agency shall forthwith enter the order for one year or until the expiration date specified on the order into any computer information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any jurisdiction in the state.

 

        Sec. 6.  RCW 10.99.045 and 1984 c 263 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) A defendant arrested for an offense involving domestic violence as defined by RCW 10.99.020(2) shall be required to appear in person before a magistrate within one judicial day after the arrest.

          (2) A defendant who is charged by citation, complaint, or information with an offense involving domestic violence as defined by RCW 10.99.020(2) and not arrested shall appear in court for arraignment in person as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fourteen days after the next day on which court is in session following the issuance of the citation or the filing of the complaint or information.

          (3) At the time of the appearances provided in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the court shall determine the necessity of imposing a no contact order or other conditions of pretrial release according to the procedures established by court rule for a preliminary appearance or an arraignment.  ((If the court has probable cause to believe that the defendant is likely to use or display or threaten to use a deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 in any further acts of violence, as one of the conditions of pretrial release, the court may require the defendant to surrender any deadly weapon in the defendant's immediate possession or control, or subject to the defendant's immediate possession or control, to the sheriff of the county or chief of police of the municipality in which the defendant resides or to the defendant's counsel for safekeeping.  The decision of the judge and findings of fact in support thereof shall be in writing.)) The court may include in the order any conditions authorized under section 2 of this act.

          (4) Appearances required pursuant to this section are mandatory and cannot be waived.

          (5) The no-contact order shall be issued and entered with the appropriate law enforcement agency pursuant to the procedures outlined in RCW 10.99.040 (2) and (4).

 

        Sec. 7.  RCW 26.09.050 and 1989 c 375 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:

          In entering a decree of dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity, the court shall determine the marital status of the parties, make provision for a parenting plan for any minor child of the marriage, make provision for the support of any child of the marriage entitled to support, consider or approve provision for the maintenance of either spouse, make provision for the disposition of property and liabilities of the parties, make provision for the allocation of the children as federal tax exemptions, make provision for any necessary continuing restraining orders including the provisions contained in section 2 of this act, and make provision for the change of name of any party.

 

        Sec. 8.  RCW 26.09.060 and 1992 c 229 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) In a proceeding for:

          (a) Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or a declaration of invalidity; or

          (b) Disposition of property or liabilities, maintenance, or support following dissolution of the marriage by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse; either party may move for temporary maintenance or for temporary support of children entitled to support.  The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amounts requested.

          (2) As a part of a motion for temporary maintenance or support or by independent motion accompanied by affidavit, either party may request the court to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, providing relief proper in the circumstances, and restraining or enjoining any person from:

          (a) Transferring, removing, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and, if so restrained or enjoined, requiring him or her to notify the moving party of any proposed extraordinary expenditures made after the order is issued;

          (b) Molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or of any child ((and, upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the party so restrained or enjoined has used or displayed or threatened to use a deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 in an act of violence or has previously committed acts of domestic violence and is likely to use or display or threaten to use a deadly weapon in an act of domestic violence, requiring the party to surrender any deadly weapon in his immediate possession or control or subject to his immediate possession or control to the sheriff of the county having jurisdiction of the proceeding or to the restrained or enjoined party's counsel or to any person designated by the court.  The court may order temporary surrender of deadly weapons without notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for response has elapsed));

          (c) Entering the family home or the home of the other party upon a showing of the necessity therefor;

          (d) Removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court.

          (3) In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (4) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for responding has elapsed.

          (((4))) (5) The court may issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction and an order for temporary maintenance or support in such amounts and on such terms as are just and proper in the circumstances.  The court may in its discretion waive the filing of the bond or the posting of security.

          (((5))) (6) Restraining orders issued under this section restraining the person from molesting or disturbing another party or from entering a party's home shall bear the legend:  VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL NOTICE OF ITS TERMS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER CHAPTER 26.09 RCW AND WILL SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST.

          (((6))) (7) The court may order that any temporary restraining 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 for one year into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state.

          (((7))) (8) A temporary order, temporary restraining order, or preliminary injunction:

          (a) Does not prejudice the rights of a party or any child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding;

          (b) May be revoked or modified;

          (c) Terminates when the final decree is entered, except as provided under subsection (((8))) (9) of this section, or when the petition for dissolution, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is dismissed;

          (d) May be entered in a proceeding for the modification of an existing decree.

          (((8))) (9) Delinquent support payments accrued under an order for temporary support remain collectible and are not extinguished when a final decree is entered unless the decree contains specific language to the contrary.  A support debt under a temporary order owed to the state for public assistance expenditures shall not be extinguished by the final decree if:

          (a) The obligor was given notice of the state's interest under chapter 74.20A RCW; or

          (b) The temporary order directs the obligor to make support payments to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry.

 

        Sec. 9.  RCW 26.10.040 and 1989 c 375 s 31 are each amended to read as follows:

          In entering an order under this chapter, the court shall consider, approve, or make provision for:

          (1) Child custody, visitation, and the support of any child entitled to support;

          (2) The allocation of the children as a federal tax exemption; and

          (3) Any necessary continuing restraining orders, including the provisions contained in section 2 of this act.

 

        Sec. 10.  RCW 26.10.115 and 1989 c 375 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) In a proceeding under this chapter either party may file a motion for temporary support of children entitled to support.  The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amount requested.

          (2) In a proceeding under this chapter either party may file a motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, providing relief proper in the circumstances, and restraining or enjoining any person from:

          (a) Molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or of any child ((and, upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the party so restrained or enjoined has used or displayed or threatened to use a deadly weapon as defined in RCW 9A.04.110 in an act of violence or has previously committed acts of domestic violence and is likely to use or display or threaten to use a deadly weapon in an act of domestic violence, requiring the party to surrender any deadly weapon in his immediate possession or control or subject to his immediate possession or control to the sheriff of the county having jurisdiction of the proceeding or to the restrained or enjoined party's counsel or to any person designated by the court.  The court may order temporary surrender of deadly weapons without notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for response has elapsed));

          (b) Entering the family home or the home of the other party upon a showing of the necessity therefor;

          (c) Removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court.

          (3) In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (4) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for responding has elapsed.

          (((4))) (5) The court may issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction and an order for temporary support in such amounts and on such terms as are just and proper in the circumstances.

          (((5))) (6) Restraining orders issued under this section restraining the person from molesting or disturbing another party or from entering a party's home shall bear the legend:  VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL NOTICE OF ITS TERMS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER CHAPTER 26.10 RCW AND WILL SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST.

          (((6))) (7) The court may order that any temporary restraining 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 for one year into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state.

          (((7))) (8) A temporary order, temporary restraining order, or preliminary injunction:

          (a) Does not prejudice the rights of a party or any child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding;

          (b) May be revoked or modified;

          (c) Terminates when the final order is entered or when the motion is dismissed;

          (d) May be entered in a proceeding for the modification of an existing order.

          (((8))) (9) A support debt owed to the state for public assistance expenditures which has been charged against a party pursuant to RCW 74.20A.040 and/or 74.20A.055 shall not be merged in, or otherwise extinguished by, the final decree or order, unless the office of support enforcement has been given notice of the final proceeding and an opportunity to present its claim for the support debt to the court and has failed to file an affidavit as provided in this subsection.  Notice of the proceeding shall be served upon the office of support enforcement personally, or by certified mail, and shall be given no fewer than thirty days prior to the date of the final proceeding.  An original copy of the notice shall be filed with the court either before service or within a reasonable time thereafter.  The office of support enforcement may present its claim, and thereby preserve the support debt, by filing an affidavit setting forth the amount of the debt with the court, and by mailing a copy of the affidavit to the parties or their attorney prior to the date of the final proceeding.

 

        Sec. 11.  RCW 26.26.130 and 1989 c 375 s 23 and 1989 c 360 s 18 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

          (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 the father to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and confinement.  The judgment and order may include a continuing restraining order or injunction.  In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (4) Support judgment and orders shall be for periodic payments which may vary in amount.  The court may limit the father'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.

          (5) After considering all relevant factors, the court shall order either or both parents to pay an amount determined pursuant to the schedule and standards ((adopted under RCW 26.19.040)) contained in chapter 26.19 RCW.

          (6) 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.

          (7) In any dispute between the natural parents 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 natural parent or parents, 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.

 

        Sec. 12.  RCW 26.26.137 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) If the court has made a finding as to the paternity of a child, or if a party's acknowledgment of paternity has been filed with the court, or a party alleges he is the father of the child, any party may move for temporary support for the child prior to the date of entry of the final order.  The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amounts requested.

          (2) Any party may request the court to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, providing relief proper in the circumstances, and restraining or enjoining any party from:

          (a) Molesting or disturbing the peace of another party;

          (b) Entering the home of another party; or

          (c) Removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court.

          (3) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for responding has elapsed.

          (4) The court may issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction and an order for temporary support in such amounts and on such terms as are just and proper in the circumstances.  In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (5) A temporary order, temporary restraining order, or preliminary injunction:

          (a) Does not prejudice the rights of a party or any child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding;

          (b) May be revoked or modified;

          (c) Terminates when the final order is entered or when the petition is dismissed; and

          (d) May be entered in a proceeding for the modification of an existing order.

          (6) A support debt owed to the state for public assistance expenditures which has been charged against a party pursuant to RCW 74.20A.040 and/or 74.20A.055 shall not be merged in, or otherwise extinguished by, the final decree or order, unless the office of support enforcement has been given notice of the final proceeding and an opportunity to present its claim for the support debt to the court and has failed to file an affidavit as provided in this subsection.  Notice of the proceeding shall be served upon the office of support enforcement personally, or by certified mail, and shall be given no fewer than thirty days prior to the date of the final  proceeding.  An original copy of the notice shall be filed with the court either before service or within a reasonable time thereafter.  The office of support enforcement may present its claim, and thereby preserve the support debt, by filing an affidavit setting forth the amount of the debt with the court, and by mailing a copy of the affidavit to the parties or their attorney prior to the date of the final proceeding.

 

        Sec. 13.  RCW 26.50.060 and 1992 c 143 s 2, 1992 c 111 s 4, and 1992 c 86 s 4 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

          (1) Upon notice and after hearing, the court may provide relief as follows:

          (a) Restrain the respondent from committing acts of domestic violence;

          (b) Exclude the respondent from the dwelling which the parties share or from the residence of the petitioner;

          (c) On the same basis as is provided in chapter 26.09 RCW, the court shall make residential provision with regard to minor children of the parties.  However, parenting plans as specified in chapter 26.09 RCW shall not be required under this chapter;

          (d) Order the respondent to participate in batterers' treatment;

          (e) Order other relief as it deems necessary for the protection of the petitioner and other family or household members sought to be protected, including orders or directives to a peace officer, as allowed under this chapter;

          (f) Require the respondent to pay the filing fee and court costs, including service fees, and to reimburse the petitioner for costs incurred in bringing the action, including a reasonable attorney's fee.  If the petitioner has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the court may require the respondent to pay the filing fee and costs, including services fees, to the county or municipality incurring the expense;

          (g) Restrain the respondent from having any contact with the victim of domestic violence or the victim's children or members of the victim's household; ((and))

          (h) Require the respondent to submit to electronic monitoring.  The order shall specify who shall provide the electronic monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring must be performed.  The order also may include a requirement that the respondent pay the costs of the monitoring.  The court shall consider the ability of the respondent to pay for electronic monitoring; and

          (i) Consider the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (2) Any relief granted by the order for protection, other than a judgment for costs, shall be for a fixed period not to exceed one year if the restraining order restrains the respondent from contacting the respondent's minor children.  If the petitioner has petitioned for relief on his or her own behalf or on behalf of the petitioner's family or household members or minor children that are not also the respondent's minor children, and the court finds that the respondent is likely to resume acts of domestic violence against the petitioner or the petitioner's family or household members or minor children when the order expires, the court may either (a) grant relief for a fixed period not to exceed one year; (b) grant relief for a fixed period in excess of one year; or (c) enter a permanent order of protection.

          If the petitioner has petitioned for relief on behalf of the respondent's minor children, the court shall advise the petitioner that if the petitioner wants to continue protection for a period beyond one year the petitioner may either petition for renewal pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or may seek relief pursuant to the provisions of chapter 26.09 RCW.

          (3) If the court grants an order for a fixed time period, the petitioner may apply for renewal of the order by filing a petition for renewal at any time within the three months before the order expires.  The petition for renewal shall state the reasons why the petitioner seeks to renew the protection order.  Upon receipt of the petition for renewal the court shall order a hearing which shall be not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.  Except as provided in RCW 26.50.085, personal service shall be made on the respondent not less than five days before the hearing.  If timely service cannot be made the court shall set a new hearing date and shall either require additional attempts at obtaining personal service or permit service by publication as provided in RCW 26.50.085.  If the court permits service by publication, the court shall set the new hearing date not later than twenty-four days from the date of the order.  If the order expires because timely service cannot be made the court shall grant an ex parte order of protection as provided in RCW 26.50.070.  The court shall grant the petition for renewal unless the respondent proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent will not resume acts of domestic violence against the petitioner or the petitioner's children or family or household members when the order expires.  The court may renew the protection order for another fixed time period or may enter a permanent order as provided in this section.  The court may award court costs, service fees, and reasonable attorneys' fees as provided in subsection (1)(f) of this section.

          (4) In providing relief under this chapter, the court may realign the designation of the parties as "petitioner" and "respondent" where the court finds that the original petitioner is the abuser and the original respondent is the victim of domestic violence and may issue an ex parte temporary order for protection in accordance with RCW 26.50.070 on behalf of the victim until the victim is able to prepare a petition for an order for protection in accordance with RCW 26.50.030.

          (5) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, no order for protection shall grant relief to any party except upon notice to the respondent and hearing pursuant to a petition or counter-petition filed and served by the party seeking relief in accordance with RCW 26.50.050.

          (6) The court order shall specify the date the order expires if any.  The court order shall also state whether the court issued the protection order following personal service or service by publication and whether the court has approved service by publication of an order issued under this section.

 

        Sec. 14.  RCW 26.50.070 and 1992 c 143 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Where an application under this section alleges that irreparable injury could result from domestic violence if an order is not issued immediately without prior notice to the respondent, the court may grant an ex parte temporary order for protection, pending a full hearing, and grant relief as the court deems proper, including an order:

          (a) Restraining any party from committing acts of domestic violence;

          (b) Excluding any party from the dwelling shared or from the residence of the other until further order of the court;

          (c) Restraining any party from interfering with the other's custody of the minor children or from removing the children from the jurisdiction of the court; ((and))

          (d) Restraining any party from having any contact with the victim of domestic violence or the victim's children or members of the victim's household; and

          (e) Considering the provisions of section 2 of this act.

          (2) Irreparable injury under this section includes but is not limited to situations in which the respondent has recently threatened petitioner with bodily injury or has engaged in acts of domestic violence against the petitioner.

          (3) The court shall hold an ex parte hearing in person or by telephone on the day the petition is filed or on the following judicial day.

          (4) An ex parte temporary order for protection shall be effective for a fixed period not to exceed fourteen days or twenty-four days if the court has permitted service by publication under RCW 26.50.085.  The ex parte order may be reissued.  A full hearing, as provided in this chapter, shall be set for not later than fourteen days from the issuance of the temporary order or not later than twenty-four days if service by publication is permitted.  Except as provided in RCW 26.50.050 and 26.50.085, the respondent shall be personally served with a copy of the ex parte order along with a copy of the petition and notice of the date set for the hearing.

 


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