H-3793              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1794

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives Vekich, Long and Belcher

Read first time 1/23/86 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to credit reporting; and adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     This chapter may be cited as the credit reporting act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The legislature finds that federal law on consumer credit reporting provides an opportunity for the states to supplement federal law and that it is appropriate to legislate a higher standard in this state.  The legislature finds that the reporting of child support obligations is a relevant and necessary component of the credit history of an individual.  Since child support obligations may take priority over creditors' claims, this information contributes to the accuracy of the credit report.

          The legislature therefore finds it necessary to require child support obligations to be reported in credit histories.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

          (1) "Consumer" means an individual residing in this state.

          (2) (a) "Consumer report" means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for (i) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; or (ii) employment purposes; or (iii) other purposes authorized under law.

          (b) The term does not include (i) any report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person making the report; (ii) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device; or (iii) any report in which a person who has been requested by a third party to make a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly to a consumer conveys the person's decision with respect to such request, if the third party advises the consumer of the name and address of the person to whom the request was made and such person makes the disclosures to the consumer required under law.

          (3) "Consumer reporting agency" means any person who, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and who uses any means or facility of commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     In preparing a consumer report, a consumer reporting agency shall include in the report:

          (1) Information regarding the existence of a child support obligation of the consumer which is entered on the execution docket in the county in which the consumer resides or is known to have a parent-child relationship, or which is otherwise known to the consumer reporting agency; and

          (2) Information available to the consumer reporting agency through the department of social and health services office of support enforcement regarding the amount of overdue support, if any, owed by the consumer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.