HB 2667 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

     Finds that foreign women entering the United States and the state of Washington as brides through businesses that match foreign women to men in the United States often suffer emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their husbands.

     Declares an intent to provide protection to these women by regulating businesses that match foreign women to men in the United States by requiring these businesses to provide: To foreign women, information about their rights under the laws, including the right to be free from emotional and physical abuse and the resources available to them to combat such abuse; and to men in the United States who are seeking social referral services with foreign women, information on the culture and customs of the foreign women.

     Declares that, if the director finds, following a hearing, that an applicant or licensee has violated this act or a rule adopted under this act, the director may impose one or more of the following penalties: (1) Denial of a license or renewal;

     (2) Revocation or suspension of a license;

     (3) A fine not to exceed five hundred dollars;

     (4) Issuance of a reprimand or letter of censure; or

     (5) Placement of the licensee on probation for a fixed period of time.