FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1199

                         C 170 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Defining the jurisdiction of civil antiharassment actions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lantz, Constantine, Sheahan and Carrell.

House Committee on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Background:

A victim of unlawful harassment (the petitioner) may petition a court for a civil antiharassment protection order against the person doing the harassing (the respondent).  If the court finds that unlawful harassment exists by a preponderance of the evidence, it must grant an order to the petitioner prohibiting the respondent from engaging in the such harassment. 

The district courts have jurisdiction over civil actions and proceedings relating to civil antiharassment protection orders.  A superior court also has jurisdiction over such matters if a district court finds that meritorious reasons exist to transfer the case to the superior court.

Summary:

A district court must transfer an action and or proceedings relating to a civil antiharassment protection order to the superior court when the respondent is under 18 years of age.

Votes on Final Passage:

House950

Senate490

Effective:July 25, 1999