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                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 4708

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                                                                            C 195 L 86

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senators Talmadge, Bluechel, Garrett, Gaspard, Bender, Peterson and Granlund

Read first time 1/21/86 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to competency of witnesses; and amending RCW 5.60.020 and 5.60.050.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 289, page 186, Laws of 1854 as last amended by section 388, Code of 1881 and RCW 5.60.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          Every person of sound mind((, suitable age)) and discretion, except as hereinafter provided, may be a witness in any action, or proceeding.

        Sec. 2.  Section 293, page 186, Laws of 1854 as last amended by section 391, Code of 1881 and RCW 5.60.050 are each amended to read as follows:

          The following persons shall not be competent to testify:

          (1) Those who are of unsound mind, or intoxicated at the time of their production for examination, and

          (2) ((Children under ten years of age,)) Those who appear incapable of receiving just impressions of the facts, respecting which they are examined, or of relating them truly.

                                                                                                                      Passed the Senate February 11, 1986.

President of the Senate.

Passed the House March 7, 1986.

Speaker of the House.