Brief Description: Requiring that the family law handbook be provided when a person applies for a marriage license.

Sponsors: Senator Hargrove.

Hearing Date: 3/27/03

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

In 2002, the Legislature created a requirement that the county auditor provide a family law handbook containing certain information relating to the marital relationship to a person who files a marriage certificate.

The Legislature declared that strong marital relationships result in stronger families, children, and communities, and place less of a fiscal burden on the state. The Legislature also declared that the state has a compelling interest to provide couples applying for a marriage license with information regarding marriage and the effects of divorce.

The law required the Office of the Administrator of the Courts to develop a family law handbook that contains the following information:

      •    prenuptial agreements;

      •    shared parental responsibility for children, including establishing a residential schedule for the child in the event of divorce;

      •    information on notice requirements and standards for parental relocation;

      •    information on child support;

      •    property rights;

      •    spousal maintenance;

      •    domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect;

      •    court process for dissolution;

      •    effects of dissolution on children; and

      •    community resources that are available to separating or divorcing persons.

The handbook is to be given by the county auditor to persons filing marriage certificates.

Summary of Bill:

The county auditor is required to distribute the family law handbook to an individual who applies for a marriage license under RCW 26.04.140, rather than distributing the handbook to the individual at the time he or she files the marriage license.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

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