BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to making technical changes by deleting references to the former judicial council; amending RCW 1.08.025, 2.56.030, 3.34.020, 7.75.020, 10.101.020, 13.34.102, 26.12.177, and 36.22.210; reenacting and amending RCW 43.10.067; and repealing RCW 2.56.035 and 13.70.005.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 1.08.025 and 1983 c 52 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The committee, or the reviser with the approval of the committee, shall from time to time make written recommendations to the legislature concerning deficiencies, conflicts, or obsolete provisions in, and need for reorganization or revision of, the statutes, and shall prepare for submission to the legislature, legislation for the correction or removal of such deficiencies, conflicts or obsolete provisions, or to otherwise improve the form or substance of any portion of the statute law of this state as the public interest or the administration of the subject may require.

Such or similar projects may also be undertaken at the request of the legislature((,)) and legislative interim bodies((~~, and the judicial council~~)) and if such undertaking will not impede the other functions of the committee.

All such proposed legislation shall be annotated so as to show the purposes, reasons, and history thereof.

Sec. 2. RCW 2.56.030 and 1996 c 249 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The administrator for the courts shall, under the supervision and direction of the chief justice:

(1) Examine the administrative methods and systems employed in the offices of the judges, clerks, stenographers, and employees of the courts and make recommendations, through the chief justice, for the improvement of the same;

(2) Examine the state of the dockets of the courts and determine the need for assistance by any court;

(3) Make recommendations to the chief justice relating to the assignment of judges where courts are in need of assistance and carry out the direction of the chief justice as to the assignments of judges to counties and districts where the courts are in need of assistance;

(4) Collect and compile statistical and other data and make reports of the business transacted by the courts and transmit the same to the chief justice to the end that proper action may be taken in respect thereto;

(5) Prepare and submit budget estimates of state appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system and make recommendations in respect thereto;

(6) Collect statistical and other data and make reports relating to the expenditure of public moneys, state and local, for the maintenance and operation of the judicial system and the offices connected therewith;

(7) Obtain reports from clerks of courts in accordance with law or rules adopted by the supreme court of this state on cases and other judicial business in which action has been delayed beyond periods of time specified by law or rules of court and make report thereof to supreme court of this state;

(8) Act as secretary of the judicial conference referred to in RCW 2.56.060;

(9) ((~~Formulate and submit to the judicial council of this state recommendations of policies for the improvement of the judicial system;~~

~~(10)~~)) Submit annually, as of February 1st, to the chief justice ((~~and the judicial council~~)), a report of the activities of the administrator's office for the preceding calendar year including activities related to courthouse security;

((~~(11)~~)) (10) Administer programs and standards for the training and education of judicial personnel;

((~~(12)~~)) (11) Examine the need for new superior court and district judge positions under a weighted caseload analysis that takes into account the time required to hear all the cases in a particular court and the amount of time existing judges have available to hear cases in that court. The results of the weighted caseload analysis shall be reviewed by the board for judicial administration ((~~and the judicial council, both of~~)) which shall make recommendations to the legislature. It is the intent of the legislature that weighted caseload analysis become the basis for creating additional district court positions, and recommendations should address that objective;

((~~(13)~~)) (12) Provide staff to the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW;

((~~(14)~~)) (13) Attend to such other matters as may be assigned by the supreme court of this state;

((~~(15)~~)) (14) Within available funds, develop a curriculum for a general understanding of child development, placement, and treatment resources, as well as specific legal skills and knowledge of relevant statutes including chapters 13.32A, 13.34, and 13.40 RCW, cases, court rules, interviewing skills, and special needs of the abused or neglected child. This curriculum shall be completed and made available to all juvenile court judges, court personnel, and service providers and be updated yearly to reflect changes in statutes, court rules, or case law;

((~~(16)~~)) (15) Develop, in consultation with the entities set forth in RCW 2.56.150(3), a comprehensive state-wide curriculum for persons who act as guardians ad litem under Title 13 or 26 RCW. The curriculum shall be made available July 1, 1997, and include specialty sections on child development, child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child neglect, clinical and forensic investigative and interviewing techniques, family reconciliation and mediation services, and relevant statutory and legal requirements. The curriculum shall be made available to all superior court judges, court personnel, and all persons who act as guardians ad litem;

((~~(17)~~)) (16) Develop a curriculum for a general understanding of crimes of malicious harassment, as well as specific legal skills and knowledge of RCW 9A.36.080, relevant cases, court rules, and the special needs of malicious harassment victims. This curriculum shall be made available to all superior court and court of appeals judges and to all justices of the supreme court;

((~~(18)~~)) (17) Develop, in consultation with the criminal justice training commission and the commissions established under chapters 43.113, 43.115, and 43.117 RCW, a curriculum for a general understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity and its implications for working with youth of color and their families. The curriculum shall be available to all superior court judges and court commissioners assigned to juvenile court, and other court personnel. Ethnic and cultural diversity training shall be provided annually so as to incorporate cultural sensitivity and awareness into the daily operation of juvenile courts state-wide;

((~~(19)~~)) (18) Authorize the use of closed circuit television and other electronic equipment in judicial proceedings. The administrator shall promulgate necessary standards and procedures and shall provide technical assistance to courts as required.

Sec. 3. RCW 3.34.020 and 1991 c 313 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any change in the number of full and part-time district judges after January 1, 1992, shall be determined by the legislature after receiving a recommendation from the supreme court. The supreme court shall make its recommendations to the legislature based on a weighted caseload analysis that takes into account the following:

(a) The extent of time that existing judges have available to hear cases in that court;

(b) A measurement of the judicial time needed to process various types of cases;

(d) A determination of the amount of a judge's annual work time that can be devoted exclusively to processing cases; and

(e) An assessment of judicial resource needs, including annual case filings, and case weights and the judge year value determined under the weighted caseload method.

(2) The administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, may consult with the board of judicial administration((~~, the judicial council,~~)) and the district and municipal court judge's association in developing the procedures and methods of applying the weighted caseload analysis.

(3) For each recommended change from the number of full and part-time district judges in any county as of January 1, 1992, the administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, shall complete a judicial impact note detailing any local or state cost associated with such recommended change.

(4) If the legislature approves an increase in the base number of district judges in any county as of January 1, 1992, such increase in the base number of district judges and all related costs may be paid for by the county from moneys provided under RCW 82.14.310, and any such costs shall be deemed to be expended for criminal justice purposes as provided in RCW 82.14.315, and such expenses shall not constitute a supplanting of existing funding.

(5)(a) A county legislative authority that desires to change the number of full or part-time district judges from the base number on January 1, 1992, must first request the assistance of the supreme court. The administrator for the courts, under the supervision of the supreme court, shall conduct a weighted caseload analysis and make a recommendation of its findings to the legislature for consideration as provided in this section.

(b) The legislative authority of any county may change a part-time district judge position to a full-time position.

Sec. 4. RCW 7.75.020 and 1984 c 258 s 502 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A dispute resolution center may be created and operated by a municipality, county, or by a corporation organized exclusively for the resolution of disputes or for charitable or educational purposes. The corporation shall not be organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholders or individuals. The majority of the directors of such a corporation shall not consist of members of any single profession.

(2) A dispute resolution center may not begin operation under this chapter until a plan for establishing a center for the mediation and settlement of disputes has been approved by the legislative authority of the municipality or county creating the center or, in the case of a center operated by a nonprofit corporation, by the legislative authority of the municipality or county within which the center will be located. A plan for a dispute resolution center shall not be approved and the center shall not begin operation until the legislative authority finds that the plan adequately prescribes:

(a) Procedures for filing requests for dispute resolution services with the center and for scheduling mediation sessions participated in by the parties to the dispute;

(b) Procedures to ensure that each dispute mediated by the center meets the criteria for appropriateness for mediation set by the legislative authority and for rejecting disputes which do not meet the criteria;

(c) Procedures for giving notice of the time, place, and nature of the mediation session to the parties, and for conducting mediation sessions that comply with the provisions of this chapter;

(d) Procedures which ensure that participation by all parties is voluntary;

(e) Procedures for obtaining referrals from public and private bodies;

(f) Procedures for meeting the particular needs of the participants, including, but not limited to, providing services at times convenient to the participants, in sign language, and in languages other than English;

(g) Procedures for providing trained and certified mediators who, during the dispute resolution process, shall make no decisions or determinations of the issues involved, but who shall facilitate negotiations by the participants themselves to achieve a voluntary resolution of the issues; and

(h) Procedures for informing and educating the community about the dispute resolution center and encouraging the use of the center's services in appropriate cases.

(((3) A dispute resolution center established under this chapter annually shall provide to the administrator for the courts such data regarding its operation as the administrator requires. The administrator shall report annually beginning January 1, 1986, to the governor, the supreme court, and the legislature regarding the operation of centers established under this chapter.))

Sec. 5. RCW 10.101.020 and 1989 c 409 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A determination of indigency shall be made for all persons wishing the appointment of counsel in criminal, juvenile, involuntary commitment, and dependency cases, and any other case where the right to counsel attaches. The court or its designee shall determine whether the person is indigent pursuant to the standards set forth in this chapter.

(2) In making the determination of indigency, the court shall also consider the anticipated length and complexity of the proceedings and the usual and customary charges of an attorney in the community for rendering services, and any other circumstances presented to the court which are relevant to the issue of indigency. The appointment of counsel shall not be denied to the person because the person's friends or relatives, other than a spouse who was not the victim of any offense or offenses allegedly committed by the person, have resources adequate to retain counsel, or because the person has posted or is capable of posting bond.

(3) The determination of indigency shall be made upon the defendant's initial contact with the court or at the earliest time circumstances permit. The court or its designee shall keep a written record of the determination of indigency. Any information given by the accused under this section or sections shall be confidential and shall not be available for use by the prosecution in the pending case.

(4) If a determination of eligibility cannot be made before the time when the first services are to be rendered, the court shall appoint an attorney on a provisional basis. If the court subsequently determines that the person receiving the services is ineligible, the court shall notify the person of the termination of services, subject to court-ordered reinstatement.

(5) All persons determined to be indigent and able to contribute, shall be required to execute a promissory note at the time counsel is appointed. The person shall be informed whether payment shall be made in the form of a lump sum payment or periodic payments. The payment and payment schedule must be set forth in writing. The person receiving the appointment of counsel shall also sign an affidavit swearing under penalty of perjury that all income and assets reported are complete and accurate. In addition, the person must swear in the affidavit to immediately report any change in financial status to the court.

(6) The office or individual charged by the court to make the determination of indigency shall provide a written report and opinion as to indigency on a form prescribed by the office of ((~~the administrator for the courts~~)) public defense, based on information obtained from the defendant and subject to verification. The form shall include information necessary to provide a basis for making a determination with respect to indigency as provided by this chapter.

Sec. 6. RCW 13.34.102 and 1996 c 249 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All guardians ad litem, who have not previously served or been trained as a guardian ad litem in this state, who are appointed after January 1, 1998, must complete the curriculum developed by the office of the administrator for the courts under RCW 2.56.030((~~(16)~~)) (15), prior to their appointment in cases under Title 13 RCW except that volunteer guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates accepted into a volunteer program after January 1, 1998, may complete an alternative curriculum approved by the office of the administrator for the courts that meets or exceeds the state-wide curriculum.

(2)(a) Each guardian ad litem program for compensated guardians ad litem shall establish a rotational registry system for the appointment of guardians ad litem. If a judicial district does not have a program the court shall establish the rotational registry system. Guardians ad litem shall be selected from the registry except in exceptional circumstances as determined and documented by the court. The parties may make a joint recommendation for the appointment of a guardian ad litem from the registry.

(b) In judicial districts with a population over one hundred thousand, a list of three names shall be selected from the registry and given to the parties along with the background information as specified in RCW 13.34.100(3), including their hourly rate for services. Each party may, within three judicial days, strike one name from the list. If more than one name remains on the list, the court shall make the appointment from the names on the list. In the event all three names are stricken the person whose name appears next on the registry shall be appointed.

(c) If a party reasonably believes that the appointed guardian ad litem lacks the necessary expertise for the proceeding, charges an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding, or has a conflict of interest, the party may, within three judicial days from the appointment, move for substitution of the appointed guardian ad litem by filing a motion with the court.

(3) The rotational registry system shall not apply to court-appointed special advocate programs.

Sec. 7. RCW 26.12.177 and 1996 c 249 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All guardians ad litem, who have not previously served or been trained as a guardian ad litem in this state, who are appointed after January 1, 1998, must complete the curriculum developed by the office of the administrator for the courts under RCW 2.56.030((~~(16)~~)) (15), prior to their appointment in cases under Title 26 RCW except that volunteer guardians ad litem or court-appointed special advocates accepted into a volunteer program after January 1, 1998, may complete an alternative curriculum approved by the office of the administrator for the courts that meets or exceeds the state-wide curriculum.

(b) In judicial districts with a population over one hundred thousand, a list of three names shall be selected from the registry and given to the parties along with the background information as specified in RCW 26.12.175(3), including their hourly rate for services. Each party may, within three judicial days, strike one name from the list. If more than one name remains on the list, the court shall make the appointment from the names on the list. In the event all three names are stricken the person whose name appears next on the registry shall be appointed.

(3) The rotational registry system shall not apply to court-appointed special advocate programs.

Sec. 8. RCW 36.22.210 and 1992 c 125 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each county auditor shall develop a registration process to register process servers required to register under RCW 18.180.010.

(2) The county auditor may collect an annual registration fee from the process server not to exceed ten dollars.

(3) The ((~~office of the administrator for the courts shall develop a registration form for the~~)) county auditor((~~s to~~)) shall use a form in the registration process for the purpose of identifying and locating the registrant, including the process server's name, birthdate, and social security number, and the process server's business name, business address, and business telephone number.

(4) The county auditor shall maintain a register of process servers and assign a number to each registrant. Upon renewal of the registration as required in RCW 18.180.020, the auditor shall continue to assign the same registration number. A successor entity composed of one or more registrants shall be permitted to transfer one or more registration numbers to the new entity.

Sec. 9. RCW 43.10.067 and 1987 c 364 s 1 and 1987 c 186 s 7 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

No officer, director, administrative agency, board, or commission of the state, other than the attorney general, shall employ, appoint or retain in employment any attorney for any administrative body, department, commission, agency, or tribunal or any other person to act as attorney in any legal or quasi legal capacity in the exercise of any of the powers or performance of any of the duties specified by law to be performed by the attorney general, except where it is provided by law to be the duty of the judge of any court or the prosecuting attorney of any county to employ or appoint such persons: PROVIDED, That RCW 43.10.040, and 43.10.065 through 43.10.080 shall not apply to the administration of ((~~the judicial council,~~)) the commission on judicial conduct, the state law library, the law school of the state university, the administration of the state bar act by the Washington State Bar Association, or the representation of an estate administered by the director of the department of revenue or the director's designee pursuant to chapter 11.28 RCW.

The authority granted by chapter 1.08 RCW, RCW ((~~44.28.140~~)) 44.28.065, and 47.01.061 shall not be affected hereby.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 2.56.035 and 1982 1st ex.s. c 8 s 6; and

(2) RCW 13.70.005 and 1993 c 505 s 1.