Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 2385

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning the disclosure of information of an address confidentiality program participant contained in state registered domestic partnership applications and records.

Sponsors: Representatives Jinkins, Liias, Moeller, Reykdal, Pedersen and Roberts; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes the circumstances under which the name and address of a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program contained in domestic partnership applications and records may be released.

Hearing Date: 1/23/12

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

Address Confidentiality Program.

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to have an alternative address designated as his or her substitute mailing address. The ACP also allows state and local agencies to comply with requests for public records without disclosing the confidential location of a victim. In order to become a participant in the ACP, a person must submit an application to the Secretary of State (Secretary). The Secretary must approve any application that includes:

Applicants are certified as program participants for four years, subject to renewal, withdrawal, or invalidation.

The Secretary may not disclose any records in a program participant's file, other than the address designated by the Secretary, except under the following conditions:

State Registered Domestic Partnership.

The Secretary is responsible for the registration of domestic partnerships. Upon receipt of a signed, notarized declaration and a filing fee, the Secretary must register the declaration and provide a certificate to each party named on the declaration. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining a record of each declaration and must update the records to reflect changes in the status of state registered domestic partnerships, including changes of address, name, dissolution, or death. The Secretary must provide records of declarations to the state registrar of vital statistics.

Summary of Bill:

The Secretary may not make available for inspection or copying the name and address of an ACP participant contained in state registered domestic partnership applications and records except if that information is requested by a law enforcement agency or directed by a court order, as long as there is no indication that the ACP participant has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking perpetrated by a law enforcement employee and, if the request is made by a law enforcement agency, the request is in accordance with official law enforcement duties and is in writing on official law enforcement letterhead stationery and signed by the agency's chief officer.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.