BILL REQ. #:  S-1358.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/12/03.   

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature has enacted the first state law regulating international matchmaking organizations, chapter 19.220 RCW; and
     WHEREAS, Improved access to information will allow clients to make informed, wiser decisions about forming lifetime relationships, emigrating to a foreign country, and becoming acculturated to a new society and value system without customary support systems; and
     WHEREAS, Improved protections can best happen with national standards that enhance the decision-making process of all clients of international matchmaking organizations and such standards may only be achieved through federal legislation; and
     WHEREAS, The problem of trafficking in humans is a world-wide matter of urgent concern involving human rights, human dignity, and public safety; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature has taken, and continues to take, appropriate legislative steps to combat human trafficking and redress the damages done to victims of human trafficking; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons has studied the issue of human trafficking and its impact on persons living and working in Washington state; and
     WHEREAS, The task force has put forth its recommendations in a report to the Governor and Legislature and one of the recommendations is for improvements in the federal law regulating international matchmaking organizations to the end that safety of the clients of the organizations is improved through better access to information for all clients;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress enact revisions to P.L. 104-208, Sec. 652, U.S.C. Sec. 1375 that will afford all clients of international matchmaking organizations at least the same public safety information as is required under Washington state as set forth in chapter 19.220 RCW. Specifically, all non-United States clients of international matchmaking organizations should have access to criminal background information on prospective American partners, the marital history of prospective American partners that is affirmed to be true by the prospective American partner, that non-United States clients be informed of their right to such information and that such information be provided to non-United States clients upon request and be provided in the native language of the requestor.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the Congress is encouraged to promote the entry of the United States into appropriate international accords and protocols for regulation of international matchmaking organizations; and
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.