SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6509

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

        Labor & Workforce Development, January 31, 2000

Title:  An act relating to jurisdiction in child support matters.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to service of child support documents.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley and Fairley; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  1/31/2000 [DPS, DNPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6509 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass substitute.

  Signed by Senator Hochstatter.

Staff:  Joanne Conrad (360-786-7472)

Background:  Judicial proceedings involving child support and paternity are complex, involving notice, hearing, service of process and judicial standing.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  At the request of the Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support, numerous technical changes are made to statutes involving judicial proceedings for child support.

 In certain circumstances, notice is given to the county prosecutor, instead of the Office of the Attorney General.  Administrative hearings allow a custodian who is not the parent of the child to have the same notice and hearing rights as a custodial parent.  Custodial parents rights and duties to file or make appearances at administrative hearings are in parity with "responsible parents."  The ability of a presiding officer, such as an administrative law judge, to enter orders is clarified.  Persons may be served by mail or parcel delivery.  Certain adjudicative notice proceedings are repealed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Technical changes are made to language regarding consequences for failure to appear.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is important to give custodial parents full party status.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Meg Sollenberger, Bruce Turcott, Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support.