HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6167
As Passed House:
February 26, 1996
Title: An act relating to jurisdiction of petitions for dissolution of marriage.
Brief Description: Revising requirements for filing petitions for dissolution of marriage.
Sponsors: Senators Smith, Johnson, Newhouse and Winsley.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Law & Justice: 2/21/96 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/26/96, 95-0.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Sheahan, Chairman; Delvin, Vice Chairman; Hickel, Vice Chairman; Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Costa, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carrell; Chappell; Cody; Lambert; McMahan; Morris; Murray; Robertson; Smith; Sterk and Veloria.
Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).
Background: In order for a person to petition a court for a dissolution of marriage or legal separation, the party filing the petition must be a resident of Washington or a member of the armed forces stationed in Washington at the time the petition is filed. A person who is residing in another state but married to a resident of Washington may not institute a dissolution action in the State of Washington.
Summary of Bill: Superior courts are given jurisdiction to hear a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation if the petitioner is a nonresident spouse who is married (1) to a resident of Washington or (2) to a member of the armed forces who is stationed in Washington.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Persons who live in border towns and move to another state should be able to petition for a dissolution in Washington if the person's spouse still resides here. Other issues resulting from the divorce, such as property disposition and child custody, may have to be heard in Washington, making the current system inefficient.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Patricia Morgan, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section (pro).