HB 2686 - DIGEST

     Directs the administrator for the courts to conduct a unified court-family pilot program.

     Expresses an intent that creation of a unified court system centered around the family will:  (1) Provide a dedicated, trained, and informed judiciary;

     (2) incorporate case management practices based on a family's judicial system needs;

     (3) enable multiple case type resolution by one judicial officer or judicial team;

     (4) provide coordinated legal services; and

     (5) consider and evaluate the needs of the family as a whole.

     Finds that it is critical to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot projects for purposes of measuring improvements in the judicial system's response to family involvement.  To accomplish this evaluation, the Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a study of the pilot program in accordance with guidelines and criteria established by the office of the administrator for the courts.