S-4389

AN ACT Relating to rape victim protection; and amending RCW 26.26.060, 26.26.170, 26.23.120, 26.10.030, and 26.09.020.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 26.26.060 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) A child, a child's natural mother, a man alleged or alleging himself to be the father, a child's guardian, a child's personal representative, the state of Washington, or any interested party may bring an action at any time for the purpose of declaring the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship.

(b) A man presumed to be a child's father under RCW 26.26.040 may bring an action for the purpose of declaring the nonexistence of the father and child relationship only if the action is brought within a reasonable time after obtaining knowledge of relevant facts. After the presumption has been rebutted, paternity of the child by another man may be determined in the same action, if he has been made a party.

(2) In an action brought by the state pursuant to this chapter, the state may be represented by either the prosecuting attorney for the county where the action is brought or by the attorney general.

(3) Regardless of its terms, no agreement between an alleged or presumed father and the mother or child, shall bar an action under this section.

(4) If an action under this section is brought before the birth of the child, all proceedings may be stayed until after the birth, except service of process and discovery, including the taking of depositions to perpetuate testimony.

(5) Actions under this chapter may be maintained as to any child, whether born before or after the enactment of this chapter.

(6) A person convicted of any sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW may not bring an action for the purposes of declaring the existence or nonexistence of a father and child relationship with a child who was conceived and born as a result of the offense.

Sec. 2. RCW 26.26.170 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 42 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

Any interested party, except a person convicted of any sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW in regard to a child who was conceived and born as a result of the offense, may bring an action to determine the existence or nonexistence of a mother and child relationship. Insofar as practicable, the provisions of this chapter applicable to the father and child relationship apply.

Sec. 3. RCW 26.23.120 and 1997 c 58 s 908 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any information or records concerning individuals who owe a support obligation or for whom support enforcement services are being provided which are obtained or maintained by the Washington state support registry, the division of child support, or under chapter 74.20 RCW shall be private and confidential and shall only be subject to public disclosure as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The secretary of the department of social and health services may adopt rules:

(a) That specify what information is confidential;

(b) That specify the individuals or agencies to whom this information and these records may be disclosed;

(d) Establishing procedures to obtain the information or records; or

(e) Establishing safeguards necessary to comply with federal law requiring safeguarding of information.

(3) The rules adopted under subsection (2) of this section shall provide for disclosure of the information and records, under appropriate circumstances, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) When authorized or required by federal statute or regulation governing the support enforcement program;

(b) To the person the subject of the records or information, unless the information is exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.17.310;

(c) To government agencies, whether state, local, or federal, and including federally recognized tribes, law enforcement agencies, prosecuting agencies, and the executive branch, if the disclosure is necessary for child support enforcement purposes or required under Title IV-D of the federal social security act;

(d) To the parties in a judicial or adjudicative proceeding upon a specific written finding by the presiding officer that the need for the information outweighs any reason for maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the information or records;

(e) To private persons, federally recognized tribes, or organizations if the disclosure is necessary to permit private contracting parties to assist in the management and operation of the department;

(f) Disclosure of address and employment information to the parties to an action for purposes relating to a child support order, subject to the limitations in subsections (4) and (5) of this section;

(g) Disclosure of information or records when necessary to the efficient administration of the support enforcement program or to the performance of functions and responsibilities of the support registry and the division of child support as set forth in state and federal statutes; or

(h) Disclosure of the information or records when authorized under RCW 74.04.060.

(4) Prior to disclosing the whereabouts of a parent or a party to a support order to the other parent or party, a notice shall be mailed, if appropriate under the circumstances, to the parent or other party whose whereabouts are to be disclosed, at that person's last known address. The notice shall advise the parent or party that a request for disclosure has been made and will be complied with unless the department:

(a) Receives a copy of a court order within thirty days which enjoins the disclosure of the information or restricts or limits the requesting party's right to contact or visit the parent or party whose address is to be disclosed or the child;

(b) Receives a hearing request within thirty days under subsection (5) of this section; ((or))

(c) Has reason to believe that the release of the information may result in physical or emotional harm to the party whose whereabouts are to be released, or to the child; or

(d) Receives a statement from the custodial parent or physical custodian that the person seeking disclosure was convicted of a sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW and is alleged to be the parent of the child who was conceived and born as a result of the offense.

(5) A person receiving notice under subsection (4) of this section may request an adjudicative proceeding under chapter 34.05 RCW, at which the person may show that there is reason to believe that release of the information may result in physical or emotional harm to the person or the child. The administrative law judge shall determine whether the whereabouts of the person should be disclosed based on subsection (4)(c) of this section, however no hearing is necessary if the department has in its possession a protective order or an order limiting visitation or contact.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or restricting the effect of RCW 42.17.260(9). Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the disclosure of information and records if all details identifying an individual are deleted or the individual consents to the disclosure.

(7) It shall be unlawful for any person or agency in violation of this section to solicit, publish, disclose, receive, make use of, or to authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of any lists of names for commercial or political purposes or the use of any information for purposes other than those purposes specified in this section. A violation of this section shall be a gross misdemeanor as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

Sec. 4. RCW 26.10.030 and 1987 c 460 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as authorized for proceedings brought under chapter 26.50 RCW in district or municipal courts, a child custody proceeding is commenced in the superior court by a person other than a parent, by filing a petition seeking custody of the child in the county where the child is permanently resident or where the child is found, but only if the child is not in the physical custody of one of its parents or if the petitioner alleges that neither parent is a suitable custodian.

(2) Notice of a child custody proceeding shall be given to the child's parent, guardian and custodian, who may appear and be heard and may file a responsive pleading. The court may, upon a showing of good cause, permit the intervention of other interested parties.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, persons who have been convicted of a sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW are precluded from initiating or participating in court action seeking custody or visitation of any child who was conceived and born as a result of the offense.

Sec. 5. RCW 26.09.020 and 1997 c 58 s 945 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning the validity of a marriage, shall allege the following:

(a) The last known residence of each party;

(b) The social security number of each party;

(d) If the parties are separated the date on which the separation occurred;

(e) The names, ages, and addresses of any child dependent upon either or both spouses and whether the wife is pregnant;

(f) Any arrangements as to the residential schedule of, decision making for, dispute resolution for, and support of the children and the maintenance of a spouse;

(g) A statement specifying whether there is community or separate property owned by the parties to be disposed of;

(h) The relief sought.

(2) Either or both parties to the marriage may initiate the proceeding.

(3) Parties who have been convicted of a sex offense under chapter 9A.44 RCW are precluded from seeking custody, decision making, or visitation of any child who was conceived and born as a result of the offense.

(4) The petitioner shall complete and file with the petition a certificate under RCW 70.58.200 on the form provided by the department of health.