H-4672.1          _______________________________________________

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2476

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Boldt, Mulliken, Stevens, Beeksma, Cooke and Goldsmith)

Read first time 01/30/96. 

Requiring a determination of paternity for receiving certain benefits.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring a determination of paternity for receiving certain benefits; adding a new section to chapter 74.12 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 74.12 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) An applicant for or recipient of aid to families with dependent children shall assist the office of support enforcement in determining the paternity of all children in the assistance unit.  This shall include, but not be limited to, providing the office with relevant information reasonably known to, possessed by, or obtainable by the applicant or recipient about the absent parent.  If an applicant or recipient is unsure of the paternity of the child or children, she shall provide the names of males who are most likely the father of the child or children.

     (2) The department shall establish good cause exemptions to the requirements of this section that are consistent with federal good cause exemptions.

     (3) Failure to cooperate with the office of support enforcement shall result in the termination of the adult caretaker's portion of the grant.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

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