BILL REQ. #:  S-0495.1 

Read first time 01/25/2005.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     AN ACT Relating to jurisdiction for antiharassment protection orders; and amending RCW 10.14.150 and 10.14.160.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 10.14.150 and 1999 c 170 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The district courts shall have jurisdiction and cognizance of any civil actions and proceedings brought under this chapter, except the district court shall transfer such actions and proceedings to the superior court when it is shown that the respondent to the petition is under eighteen years of age.
     (2) Municipal courts may exercise jurisdiction and cognizance of any civil actions and proceedings brought under this chapter by adoption of local court rule, except the municipal court shall transfer such actions and proceedings to the superior court when it is shown that the respondent to the petition is under eighteen years of age.
     (3) Superior courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction to receive transfer of antiharassment petitions in cases where a district or municipal court judge makes findings of fact and conclusions of law showing that meritorious reasons exist for the transfer. The municipal and district courts shall have jurisdiction and cognizance of any criminal actions brought under RCW 10.14.120 and 10.14.170.

Sec. 2   RCW 10.14.160 and 1992 c 127 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of this chapter an action may be brought in:
     (1) The judicial district of the county in which the alleged acts of unlawful harassment occurred;
     (2) The judicial district of the county where any respondent resides at the time the petition is filed; ((or))
     (3) The judicial district of the county where a respondent may be served if it is the same county or judicial district where a respondent resides;
     (4) The municipality in which the alleged acts of unlawful harassment occurred;
     (5) The municipality where any respondent resides at the time the petition is filed; or
     (6) The municipality where a respondent may be served if it is the same county or judicial district where a respondent resides.