5528-S AMH APPE SHEL 02

SSB 5528 - H AMD TO H COMM AMD (5528-S AMH JUD H2402.1) 000414 ADOPTED 4-15-93

By Representative Appelwick

     On page 3, after line 29, insert the following section:

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 26.12 RCW to read as follows:

     A county may create a courthouse facilitator program to provide basic services to pro se litigants in family law cases.  The legislative authority of any county may impose user fees or may impose a surcharge of up to ten dollars on only those superior court cases filed under Title 26 RCW, or both, to pay for the expenses of the courthouse facilitator program.  Fees collected under this section shall be collected and deposited in the same manner as other county funds are collected and deposited, and shall be maintained in a separate account to be used as provided in this section."

EFFECT:  A county legislative authority may authorize user fees or may impose a surcharge not to exceed $10 on superior court filing fees for domestic relations cases if the county wants to create a courthouse facilitator program to provide basic services to pro se litigants in family law cases.