Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

ESB 5063

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Removing gender references.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Rockefeller, Kline, Schoesler, Keiser, Parlette, Kauffman, Fraser and Shin.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
  • Replaces references to gender in statute with gender neutral terms.

Hearing Date: 3/16/07

Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).

Background:

Since 1983, state law has required that all statutes be written in gender-neutral terms unless the law in question is intentionally gender specific.

Summary of Bill:

Technical changes are made throughout the statute to broaden the use of gender neutral terms. For example, references to "firemen" are changed to "firefighters" and references to "policemen" are changed to "police officers".

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.