SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5532

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Children & Family Services & Corrections, February 11, 2003

Title: An act relating to international matchmaking organizations.

Brief Description: Requiring additional personal history information from customers of international matchmaking organizations.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Benton, Fraser, Prentice, Carlson, Keiser, Winsley and Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Children & Family Services & Corrections: 2/11/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.

Staff: Tony Rugel (786-7754)

Background: International matchmaking organizations doing business in Washington State are required to conspicuously notify individuals in foreign countries that they may receive background and marital information on a Washington State resident using the matchmaking service.

Summary of Bill: The information requested by a person in a foreign country is expanded to personal information and not just marital information. This includes previous marriages, annulments, and dissolutions; founded allegations of child abuse or neglect; and any existing no contact or antiharassment protection orders.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Anecdotal cases in support of bill.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Liz Swope, Salvation Army; Pam Crone, NW Women's Law Center; Jenny Wieland, Families and Friends of Crime Victims.