Z‑0588.1   _____________________________________________

HOUSE BILL 1274

           _____________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Lantz and Carrell; by request of Administrator for the Courts

Read first time 01/22/2001.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

_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))

_7  judicial officer, sitting without a jury.  Prior to the presentation

_8  of proof the ((judge)) judicial officer shall determine

_9  whether:  (1) The petitioning minor understands the consequences of

10  the petition regarding his or her legal rights and

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

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

13  the court.

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