H‑1997.1   _____________________________________________

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1274

           _____________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz and Carrell; by request of Administrator for the Courts)

READ FIRST TIME 02/26/01. 

_1      AN ACT Relating to emancipation of minors; and amending RCW

_2  13.64.040.

_3  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

_4      Sec. 1.  RCW 13.64.040 and 1993 c 294 s 4 are each amended to read

_5  as follows:

_6      The hearing on the petition shall be before a judge or superior

_7  court commissioner of a unified family court, sitting without a

_8  jury.  Prior to the presentation of proof the judge or superior

_9  court commissioner of a unified family court shall determine

10  whether:  (1) The petitioning minor understands the consequences of

11  the petition regarding his or her legal rights and

12  responsibilities; (2) a guardian ad litem should be appointed to

13  investigate the allegations of the petition and file a report with

14  the court.

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