BILL REQ. #:  H-5116.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to expanding rights and responsibilities of all couples recognized as domestic partners under chapter 26.60 RCW; amending RCW 42.17.241, 42.52.040, 43.03.305, 43.185A.010, 43.20B.080, 70.123.020, 70.129.140, 74.42.070, 4.22.020, 5.60.060, 5.66.010, 7.69.020, 7.69B.010, 26.50.010, 4.08.030, 4.08.040, 4.20.046, 28B.15.621, 73.08.005, 72.36.030, 72.36.040, 72.36.050, 72.36.070, 72.36.110, 73.04.120, 73.36.140, 73.04.010, 73.04.115, 26.16.010, 26.16.020, 26.16.030, 26.16.050, 26.16.060, 26.16.070, 26.16.080, 26.16.090, 26.16.095, 26.16.100, 26.16.120, 26.16.140, 26.16.150, 26.16.180, 26.16.190, 26.16.200, 26.16.205, 26.16.210, 26.16.220, 26.16.230, 26.16.240, 26.16.250, 11.84.030, 64.28.010, 64.28.020, 64.28.030, 64.28.040, 9.46.231, 9A.83.030, 69.50.505, 64.06.010, 6.13.020, 6.13.060, 6.13.080, 6.13.180, 6.13.210, 6.13.220, 6.13.230, 26.16.125, 60.04.211, 82.45.010, 84.38.030, 84.38.070, 84.38.130, 84.38.150, 84.36.381, 84.36.041, 84.36.120, 84.36.383, 84.37.080, 7.36.020, 11.88.010, 11.88.040, 11.88.090, 11.88.125, 11.76.080, 11.92.140, 11.94.090, 11.94.100, 11.94.140, 11.02.005, 11.02.070, 11.02.100, 11.02.120, 11.04.095, 11.08.300, 11.10.010, 11.11.010, 11.12.051, 11.12.095, 11.12.180, 11.28.030, 11.28.131, 11.28.185, 11.54.010, 11.54.020, 11.54.030, 11.54.040, 11.54.050, 11.54.070, 11.62.005, 11.62.010, 11.62.030, 11.68.011, 11.80.130, 11.96A.030, 11.96A.120, 11.100.025, 11.04.290, 11.10.030, 11.80.010, 11.80.050, 11.114.010, 26.60.050, 26.09.004, 26.09.010, 26.09.020, 26.09.030, 26.09.040, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.09.070, 26.09.080, 26.09.090, 26.09.100, 26.09.110, 26.09.120, 26.09.170, 26.09.210, 26.09.255, 26.09.280, 26.09.290, 26.09.310, 26.10.050, 26.10.180, 26.12.190, 26.18.010, 26.18.020, 26.18.030, 26.18.040, 26.18.050, 26.18.070, 26.18.090, 26.18.100, 26.18.110, 26.18.120, 26.18.140, 26.18.150, 26.19.071, 26.19.075, 26.20.035, 26.20.071, 26.20.080, 26.21A.010, 26.21A.150, 26.21A.275, 26.09.015, 26.09.194, 26.12.172, and 26.12.260; reenacting and amending RCW 42.17.020, 11.07.010, 26.09.150, and 26.09.015; adding new sections to chapter 26.60 RCW; creating new sections; providing effective dates; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 101   (1) Sixty days before the effective date of this act, and again thirty days before the effective date of this act, the secretary of state shall send a letter to the mailing address on file of each domestic partner registered under chapter 26.60 RCW notifying the person that Washington's law on the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners will change.
     (2) The notice shall provide a brief summary of new laws, including changes to the laws governing community property, transfer of property, taxes, mutual responsibilities for certain debts to third parties, and other provisions. The notice shall also explain that the way domestic partnerships are terminated has changed and that, unless there are certain limited circumstances, it will be necessary to participate in a dissolution proceeding in court to end a domestic partnership.
     (3) The notice shall inform the person that those domestic partners who do not wish to be subject to the new rights and responsibilities must terminate their domestic partnership before the effective date of the act.

Sec. 201   RCW 42.17.020 and 2007 c 358 s 1 and 2007 C 180 S 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Actual malice" means to act with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity.
     (2) "Agency" includes all state agencies and all local agencies. "State agency" includes every state office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency. "Local agency" includes every county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special purpose district, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency.
     (3) "Authorized committee" means the political committee authorized by a candidate, or by the public official against whom recall charges have been filed, to accept contributions or make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or public official.
     (4) "Ballot proposition" means any "measure" as defined by RCW 29A.04.091, or any initiative, recall, or referendum proposition proposed to be submitted to the voters of the state or any municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other voting constituency from and after the time when the proposition has been initially filed with the appropriate election officer of that constituency prior to its circulation for signatures.
     (5) "Benefit" means a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary advantage, or the avoidance of a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary disadvantage.
     (6) "Bona fide political party" means:
     (a) An organization that has filed a valid certificate of nomination with the secretary of state under chapter 29A.20 RCW;
     (b) The governing body of the state organization of a major political party, as defined in RCW 29A.04.086, that is the body authorized by the charter or bylaws of the party to exercise authority on behalf of the state party; or
     (c) The county central committee or legislative district committee of a major political party. There may be only one legislative district committee for each party in each legislative district.
     (7) "Depository" means a bank designated by a candidate or political committee pursuant to RCW 42.17.050.
     (8) "Treasurer" and "deputy treasurer" mean the individuals appointed by a candidate or political committee, pursuant to RCW 42.17.050, to perform the duties specified in that section.
     (9) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office. An individual seeks nomination or election when he or she first:
     (a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or reserves space or facilities with intent to promote his or her candidacy for office;
     (b) Announces publicly or files for office;
     (c) Purchases commercial advertising space or broadcast time to promote his or her candidacy; or
     (d) Gives his or her consent to another person to take on behalf of the individual any of the actions in (a) or (c) of this subsection.
     (10) "Caucus political committee" means a political committee organized and maintained by the members of a major political party in the state senate or state house of representatives.
     (11) "Commercial advertiser" means any person who sells the service of communicating messages or producing printed material for broadcast or distribution to the general public or segments of the general public whether through the use of newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, billboard companies, direct mail advertising companies, printing companies, or otherwise.
     (12) "Commission" means the agency established under RCW 42.17.350.
     (13) "Compensation" unless the context requires a narrower meaning, includes payment in any form for real or personal property or services of any kind: PROVIDED, That for the purpose of compliance with RCW 42.17.241, the term "compensation" shall not include per diem allowances or other payments made by a governmental entity to reimburse a public official for expenses incurred while the official is engaged in the official business of the governmental entity.
     (14) "Continuing political committee" means a political committee that is an organization of continuing existence not established in anticipation of any particular election campaign.
     (15)(a) "Contribution" includes:
     (i) A loan, gift, deposit, subscription, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, pledge, payment, transfer of funds between political committees, or anything of value, including personal and professional services for less than full consideration;
     (ii) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a political committee, the person or persons named on the candidate's or committee's registration form who direct expenditures on behalf of the candidate or committee, or their agents;
     (iii) The financing by a person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of broadcast, written, graphic, or other form of political advertising or electioneering communication prepared by a candidate, a political committee, or its authorized agent;
     (iv) Sums paid for tickets to fund-raising events such as dinners and parties, except for the actual cost of the consumables furnished at the event.
     (b) "Contribution" does not include:
     (i) Standard interest on money deposited in a political committee's account;
     (ii) Ordinary home hospitality;
     (iii) A contribution received by a candidate or political committee that is returned to the contributor within five business days of the date on which it is received by the candidate or political committee;
     (iv) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is of primary interest to the general public, that is in a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium, and that is not controlled by a candidate or a political committee;
     (v) An internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization;
     (vi) The rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers, or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. "Volunteer services," for the purposes of this section, means services or labor for which the individual is not compensated by any person;
     (vii) Messages in the form of reader boards, banners, or yard or window signs displayed on a person's own property or property occupied by a person. However, a facility used for such political advertising for which a rental charge is normally made must be reported as an in-kind contribution and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the person providing the facility;
     (viii) Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of:
     (A) A political party or caucus political committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the person rendering such services; or
     (B) A candidate or an authorized committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and if the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with state election or public disclosure laws; or
     (ix) The performance of ministerial functions by a person on behalf of two or more candidates or political committees either as volunteer services defined in (b)(vi) of this subsection or for payment by the candidate or political committee for whom the services are performed as long as:
     (A) The person performs solely ministerial functions;
     (B) A person who is paid by two or more candidates or political committees is identified by the candidates and political committees on whose behalf services are performed as part of their respective statements of organization under RCW 42.17.040; and
     (C) The person does not disclose, except as required by law, any information regarding a candidate's or committee's plans, projects, activities, or needs, or regarding a candidate's or committee's contributions or expenditures that is not already publicly available from campaign reports filed with the commission, or otherwise engage in activity that constitutes a contribution under (a)(ii) of this subsection.
     A person who performs ministerial functions under this subsection (15)(b)(ix) is not considered an agent of the candidate or committee as long as he or she has no authority to authorize expenditures or make decisions on behalf of the candidate or committee.
     (c) Contributions other than money or its equivalent are deemed to have a monetary value equivalent to the fair market value of the contribution. Services or property or rights furnished at less than their fair market value for the purpose of assisting any candidate or political committee are deemed a contribution. Such a contribution must be reported as an in-kind contribution at its fair market value and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the provider.
     (16) "Elected official" means any person elected at a general or special election to any public office, and any person appointed to fill a vacancy in any such office.
     (17) "Election" includes any primary, general, or special election for public office and any election in which a ballot proposition is submitted to the voters: PROVIDED, That an election in which the qualifications for voting include other than those requirements set forth in Article VI, section 1 (Amendment 63) of the Constitution of the state of Washington shall not be considered an election for purposes of this chapter.
     (18) "Election campaign" means any campaign in support of or in opposition to a candidate for election to public office and any campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot proposition.
     (19) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day of January after the date of the last previous general election for the office that the candidate seeks and ending on December 31st after the next election for the office. In the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in an office, "election cycle" means the period beginning on the day the vacancy occurs and ending on December 31st after the special election.
     (20) "Electioneering communication" means any broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio transmission, United States postal service mailing, billboard, newspaper, or periodical that:
     (a) Clearly identifies a candidate for a state, local, or judicial office either by specifically naming the candidate, or identifying the candidate without using the candidate's name;
     (b) Is broadcast, transmitted, mailed, erected, distributed, or otherwise published within sixty days before any election for that office in the jurisdiction in which the candidate is seeking election; and
     (c) Either alone, or in combination with one or more communications identifying the candidate by the same sponsor during the sixty days before an election, has a fair market value of five thousand dollars or more.
     (21) "Electioneering communication" does not include:
     (a) Usual and customary advertising of a business owned by a candidate, even if the candidate is mentioned in the advertising when the candidate has been regularly mentioned in that advertising appearing at least twelve months preceding his or her becoming a candidate;
     (b) Advertising for candidate debates or forums when the advertising is paid for by or on behalf of the debate or forum sponsor, so long as two or more candidates for the same position have been invited to participate in the debate or forum;
     (c) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is:
     (i) Of primary interest to the general public;
     (ii) In a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium; and
     (iii) Not a medium controlled by a candidate or a political committee;
     (d) Slate cards and sample ballots;
     (e) Advertising for books, films, dissertations, or similar works (i) written by a candidate when the candidate entered into a contract for such publications or media at least twelve months before becoming a candidate, or (ii) written about a candidate;
     (f) Public service announcements;
     (g) A mailed internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization;
     (h) An expenditure by or contribution to the authorized committee of a candidate for state, local, or judicial office; or
     (i) Any other communication exempted by the commission through rule consistent with the intent of this chapter.
     (22) "Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure. The term "expenditure" also includes a promise to pay, a payment, or a transfer of anything of value in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities, or anything of value for the purpose of assisting, benefiting, or honoring any public official or candidate, or assisting in furthering or opposing any election campaign. For the purposes of this chapter, agreements to make expenditures, contracts, and promises to pay may be reported as estimated obligations until actual payment is made. The term "expenditure" shall not include the partial or complete repayment by a candidate or political committee of the principal of a loan, the receipt of which loan has been properly reported.
     (23) "Final report" means the report described as a final report in RCW 42.17.080(2).
     (24) "General election" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the election that results in the election of a person to a state office. It does not include a primary.
     (25) "Gift," is as defined in RCW 42.52.010.
     (26) "Immediate family" includes the spouse or domestic partner, dependent children, and other dependent relatives, if living in the household. For the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, "immediate family" means an individual's spouse or domestic partner, and child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person and a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual's spouse or domestic partner and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person.
     (27) "Incumbent" means a person who is in present possession of an elected office.
     (28) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that has each of the following elements:
     (a) It is made in support of or in opposition to a candidate for office by a person who is not (i) a candidate for that office, (ii) an authorized committee of that candidate for that office, (iii) a person who has received the candidate's encouragement or approval to make the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office, or (iv) a person with whom the candidate has collaborated for the purpose of making the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office;
     (b) The expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising that either specifically names the candidate supported or opposed, or clearly and beyond any doubt identifies the candidate without using the candidate's name; and
     (c) The expenditure, alone or in conjunction with another expenditure or other expenditures of the same person in support of or opposition to that candidate, has a value of five hundred dollars or more. A series of expenditures, each of which is under five hundred dollars, constitutes one independent expenditure if their cumulative value is five hundred dollars or more.
     (29)(a) "Intermediary" means an individual who transmits a contribution to a candidate or committee from another person unless the contribution is from the individual's employer, immediate family as defined for purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, or an association to which the individual belongs.
     (b) A treasurer or a candidate is not an intermediary for purposes of the committee that the treasurer or candidate serves.
     (c) A professional fund-raiser is not an intermediary if the fund-raiser is compensated for fund-raising services at the usual and customary rate.
     (d) A volunteer hosting a fund-raising event at the individual's home is not an intermediary for purposes of that event.
     (30) "Legislation" means bills, resolutions, motions, amendments, nominations, and other matters pending or proposed in either house of the state legislature, and includes any other matter that may be the subject of action by either house or any committee of the legislature and all bills and resolutions that, having passed both houses, are pending approval by the governor.
     (31) "Lobby" and "lobbying" each mean attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington, or the adoption or rejection of any rule, standard, rate, or other legislative enactment of any state agency under the state Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Neither "lobby" nor "lobbying" includes an association's or other organization's act of communicating with the members of that association or organization.
     (32) "Lobbyist" includes any person who lobbies either in his or her own or another's behalf.
     (33) "Lobbyist's employer" means the person or persons by whom a lobbyist is employed and all persons by whom he or she is compensated for acting as a lobbyist.
     (34) "Ministerial functions" means an act or duty carried out as part of the duties of an administrative office without exercise of personal judgment or discretion.
     (35) "Participate" means that, with respect to a particular election, an entity:
     (a) Makes either a monetary or in-kind contribution to a candidate;
     (b) Makes an independent expenditure or electioneering communication in support of or opposition to a candidate;
     (c) Endorses a candidate prior to contributions being made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent;
     (d) Makes a recommendation regarding whether a candidate should be supported or opposed prior to a contribution being made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent; or
     (e) Directly or indirectly collaborates or consults with a subsidiary corporation or local unit on matters relating to the support of or opposition to a candidate, including, but not limited to, the amount of a contribution, when a contribution should be given, and what assistance, services or independent expenditures, or electioneering communications, if any, will be made or should be made in support of or opposition to a candidate.
     (36) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency however constituted, candidate, committee, political committee, political party, executive committee thereof, or any other organization or group of persons, however organized.
     (37) "Person in interest" means the person who is the subject of a record or any representative designated by that person, except that if that person is under a legal disability, the term "person in interest" means and includes the parent or duly appointed legal representative.
     (38) "Political advertising" includes any advertising displays, newspaper ads, billboards, signs, brochures, articles, tabloids, flyers, letters, radio or television presentations, or other means of mass communication, used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or for financial or other support or opposition in any election campaign.
     (39) "Political committee" means any person (except a candidate or an individual dealing with his or her own funds or property) having the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in support of, or opposition to, any candidate or any ballot proposition.
     (40) "Primary" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the procedure for nominating a candidate to state office under chapter 29A.52 RCW or any other primary for an election that uses, in large measure, the procedures established in chapter 29A.52 RCW.
     (41) "Public office" means any federal, state, judicial, county, city, town, school district, port district, special district, or other state political subdivision elective office.
     (42) "Public record" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. For the office of the secretary of the senate and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives, public records means legislative records as defined in RCW 40.14.100 and also means the following: All budget and financial records; personnel leave, travel, and payroll records; records of legislative sessions; reports submitted to the legislature; and any other record designated a public record by any official action of the senate or the house of representatives.
     (43) "Recall campaign" means the period of time beginning on the date of the filing of recall charges under RCW 29A.56.120 and ending thirty days after the recall election.
     (44) "Sponsor of an electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising" means the person paying for the electioneering communication, independent expenditure, or political advertising. If a person acts as an agent for another or is reimbursed by another for the payment, the original source of the payment is the sponsor.
     (45) "State legislative office" means the office of a member of the state house of representatives or the office of a member of the state senate.
     (46) "State office" means state legislative office or the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor, or state treasurer.
     (47) "State official" means a person who holds a state office.
     (48) "Surplus funds" mean, in the case of a political committee or candidate, the balance of contributions that remain in the possession or control of that committee or candidate subsequent to the election for which the contributions were received, and that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay remaining debts incurred by the committee or candidate prior to that election. In the case of a continuing political committee, "surplus funds" mean those contributions remaining in the possession or control of the committee that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay all remaining debts when it makes its final report under RCW 42.17.065.
     (49) "Writing" means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, and every other means of recording any form of communication or representation, including, but not limited to, letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, motion picture, film and video recordings, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, diskettes, sound recordings, and other documents including existing data compilations from which information may be obtained or translated.
     As used in this chapter, the singular shall take the plural and any gender, the other, as the context requires.

Sec. 202   RCW 42.17.241 and 1995 c 397 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The statement of financial affairs required by RCW 42.17.240 shall disclose for the reporting individual and each member of his or her immediate family:
     (a) Occupation, name of employer, and business address; and
     (b) Each bank or savings account or insurance policy in which any such person or persons owned a direct financial interest that exceeded five thousand dollars at any time during the reporting period; each other item of intangible personal property in which any such person or persons owned a direct financial interest, the value of which exceeded five hundred dollars during the reporting period; the name, address, and nature of the entity; and the nature and highest value of each such direct financial interest during the reporting period; and
     (c) The name and address of each creditor to whom the value of five hundred dollars or more was owed; the original amount of each debt to each such creditor; the amount of each debt owed to each creditor as of the date of filing; the terms of repayment of each such debt; and the security given, if any, for each such debt: PROVIDED, That debts arising out of a "retail installment transaction" as defined in chapter 63.14 RCW (Retail Installment Sales Act) need not be reported; and
     (d) Every public or private office, directorship, and position held as trustee; and
     (e) All persons for whom any legislation, rule, rate, or standard has been prepared, promoted, or opposed for current or deferred compensation: PROVIDED, That for the purposes of this subsection, "compensation" does not include payments made to the person reporting by the governmental entity for which such person serves as an elected official or state executive officer or professional staff member for his service in office; the description of such actual or proposed legislation, rules, rates, or standards; and the amount of current or deferred compensation paid or promised to be paid; and
     (f) The name and address of each governmental entity, corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, association, union, or other business or commercial entity from whom compensation has been received in any form of a total value of five hundred dollars or more; the value of the compensation; and the consideration given or performed in exchange for the compensation; and
     (g) The name of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, union, or other entity in which is held any office, directorship, or any general partnership interest, or an ownership interest of ten percent or more; the name or title of that office, directorship, or partnership; the nature of ownership interest; and with respect to each such entity: (i) With respect to a governmental unit in which the official seeks or holds any office or position, if the entity has received compensation in any form during the preceding twelve months from the governmental unit, the value of the compensation and the consideration given or performed in exchange for the compensation; (ii) the name of each governmental unit, corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, association, union, or other business or commercial entity from which the entity has received compensation in any form in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars or more during the preceding twelve months and the consideration given or performed in exchange for the compensation: PROVIDED, That the term "compensation" for purposes of this subsection (1)(g)(ii) does not include payment for water and other utility services at rates approved by the Washington state utilities and transportation commission or the legislative authority of the public entity providing the service: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That with respect to any bank or commercial lending institution in which is held any office, directorship, partnership interest, or ownership interest, it shall only be necessary to report either the name, address, and occupation of every director and officer of the bank or commercial lending institution and the average monthly balance of each account held during the preceding twelve months by the bank or commercial lending institution from the governmental entity for which the individual is an official or candidate or professional staff member, or all interest paid by a borrower on loans from and all interest paid to a depositor by the bank or commercial lending institution if the interest exceeds six hundred dollars; and
     (h) A list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the commission, of all real property in the state of Washington, the assessed valuation of which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars in which any direct financial interest was acquired during the preceding calendar year, and a statement of the amount and nature of the financial interest and of the consideration given in exchange for that interest; and
     (i) A list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the commission, of all real property in the state of Washington, the assessed valuation of which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars in which any direct financial interest was divested during the preceding calendar year, and a statement of the amount and nature of the consideration received in exchange for that interest, and the name and address of the person furnishing the consideration; and
     (j) A list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the commission, of all real property in the state of Washington, the assessed valuation of which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars in which a direct financial interest was held: PROVIDED, That if a description of the property has been included in a report previously filed, the property may be listed, for purposes of this provision, by reference to the previously filed report; and
     (k) A list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the commission, of all real property in the state of Washington, the assessed valuation of which exceeds five thousand dollars, in which a corporation, partnership, firm, enterprise, or other entity had a direct financial interest, in which corporation, partnership, firm, or enterprise a ten percent or greater ownership interest was held; and
     (l) A list of each occasion, specifying date, donor, and amount, at which food and beverage in excess of fifty dollars was accepted under RCW 42.52.150(5); (([and])) and
     (m) A list of each occasion, specifying date, donor, and amount, at which items specified in RCW 42.52.010(((9))) (10) (d) and (f) were accepted; (([and])) and
     (n) Such other information as the commission may deem necessary in order to properly carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter, as the commission shall prescribe by rule.
     (2) Where an amount is required to be reported under subsection (1)(a) through (m) of this section, it shall be sufficient to comply with the requirement to report whether the amount is less than one thousand dollars, at least one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars, at least five thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars, at least ten thousand dollars but less than twenty-five thousand dollars, or twenty-five thousand dollars or more. An amount of stock may be reported by number of shares instead of by market value. No provision of this subsection may be interpreted to prevent any person from filing more information or more detailed information than required.
     (3) Items of value given to an official's or employee's spouse, domestic partner, or family member are attributable to the official or employee, except the item is not attributable if an independent business, family, or social relationship exists between the donor and the spouse, domestic partner, or family member.

Sec. 203   RCW 42.52.040 and 1994 c 154 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except in the course of official duties or incident to official duties, no state officer or state employee may assist another person, directly or indirectly, whether or not for compensation, in a transaction involving the state:
     (a) In which the state officer or state employee has at any time participated; or
     (b) If the transaction involving the state is or has been under the official responsibility of the state officer or state employee within a period of two years preceding such assistance.
     (2) No state officer or state employee may share in compensation received by another for assistance that the officer or employee is prohibited from providing under subsection (1) or (3) of this section.
     (3) A business entity of which a state officer or state employee is a partner, managing officer, or employee shall not assist another person in a transaction involving the state if the state officer or state employee is prohibited from doing so by subsection (1) of this section.
     (4) This chapter does not prevent a state officer or state employee from assisting, in a transaction involving the state:
     (a) The state officer's or state employee's parent, spouse or domestic partner, or child, or a child thereof for whom the officer or employee is serving as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal fiduciary, if the state officer or state employee did not participate in the transaction; or
     (b) Another state employee involved in disciplinary or other personnel administration proceedings.

Sec. 204   RCW 43.03.305 and 1999 c 102 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is created a commission to be known as the Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials, to consist of sixteen members appointed by the governor as provided in this section.
     (1) Nine of the sixteen commission members shall be selected by lot by the secretary of state from among those registered voters eligible to vote at the time persons are selected for appointment to full terms on the commission under subsection (3) of this section. One member shall be selected from each congressional district. The secretary shall establish policies and procedures for conducting the selection by lot. The policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, those for notifying persons selected and for providing a new selection from a congressional district if a person selected from the district declines appointment to the commission or if, following the person's appointment, the person's position on the commission becomes vacant before the end of the person's term of office.
     (2) The remaining seven of the sixteen commission members, all residents of this state, shall be selected jointly by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The persons selected under this subsection shall have had experience in the field of personnel management. Of these seven members, one shall be selected from each of the following five sectors in this state: Private institutions of higher education; business; professional personnel management; legal profession; and organized labor. Of the two remaining members, one shall be a person recommended to the speaker and the president by the chair of the Washington personnel resources board and one shall be a person recommended by majority vote of the presidents of the state's four-year institutions of higher education.
     (3) The secretary of state shall forward the names of persons selected under subsection (1) of this section and the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate shall forward the names of persons selected under subsection (2) of this section to the governor who shall appoint these persons to the commission. Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, the names of persons selected for appointment to the commission shall be forwarded to the governor not later than February 15, 1987, and not later than the fifteenth day of February every four years through 1999. The terms of the members selected in 1999 shall terminate July 1, 2002, and the names of persons selected for appointment to the commission shall be forwarded to the governor not later than July 1, 2002. Of the sixteen names forwarded to the governor in 2002, the governor shall by lot select four of the persons selected under subsection (1) of this section and four of the persons selected under subsection (2) of this section to serve two-year terms, with the rest of the members serving four-year terms. Thereafter, except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, all members shall serve four-year terms and the names of eight persons selected for appointment to the commission shall be forwarded to the governor not later than the first day of July every two years.
     (4) No person may be appointed to more than two terms. No member of the commission may be removed by the governor during his or her term of office unless for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence.
     The unexcused absence of any person who is a member of the commission from two consecutive meetings of the commission shall constitute the relinquishment of that person's membership on the commission. Such a relinquishment creates a vacancy in that person's position on the commission. A member's absence may be excused by the chair of the commission upon the member's written request if the chair believes there is just cause for the absence. Such a request must be received by the chair before the meeting for which the absence is to be excused. A member's absence from a meeting of the commission may also be excused during the meeting for which the member is absent by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the commission present at the meeting.
     (5) No state official, public employee, or lobbyist, or immediate family member of the official, employee, or lobbyist, subject to the registration requirements of chapter 42.17 RCW is eligible for membership on the commission.
     As used in this subsection the phrase "immediate family" means the parents, spouse or domestic partner, siblings, children, or dependent relative of the official, employee, or lobbyist whether or not living in the household of the official, employee, or lobbyist.
     (6) Upon a vacancy in any position on the commission, a successor shall be selected and appointed to fill the unexpired term. The selection and appointment shall be concluded within thirty days of the date the position becomes vacant and shall be conducted in the same manner as originally provided.

Sec. 301   RCW 43.185A.010 and 2000 c 255 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Affordable housing" means residential housing for rental occupancy which, as long as the same is occupied by low-income households, requires payment of monthly housing costs, including utilities other than telephone, of no more than thirty percent of the family's income. The department shall adopt policies for residential homeownership housing, occupied by low-income households, which specify the percentage of family income that may be spent on monthly housing costs, including utilities other than telephone, to qualify as affordable housing.
     (2) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (3) "Director" means the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (4) "First-time home buyer" means an individual or his or her spouse or domestic partner who have not owned a home during the three-year period prior to purchase of a home.
     (5) "Low-income household" means a single person, family or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is less than eighty percent of the median family income, adjusted for household size, for the county where the project is located.

Sec. 302   RCW 43.20B.080 and 2005 c 292 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall file liens, seek adjustment, or otherwise effect recovery for medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p. The department shall adopt a rule providing for prior notice and hearing rights to the record title holder or purchaser under a land sale contract.
     (2) Liens may be adjusted by foreclosure in accordance with chapter 61.12 RCW.
     (3) In the case of an individual who was fifty-five years of age or older when the individual received medical assistance, the department shall seek adjustment or recovery from the individual's estate, and from nonprobate assets of the individual as defined by RCW 11.02.005, but only for medical assistance consisting of nursing facility services, home and community-based services, other services that the department determines to be appropriate, and related hospital and prescription drug services. Recovery from the individual's estate, including foreclosure of liens imposed under this section, shall be undertaken as soon as practicable, consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p.
     (4) The department shall apply the medical assistance estate recovery law as it existed on the date that benefits were received when calculating an estate's liability to reimburse the department for those benefits.
     (5)(a) The department shall establish procedures consistent with standards established by the federal department of health and human services and pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p to waive recovery when such recovery would work an undue hardship. The department shall recognize an undue hardship for a surviving domestic partner whenever recovery would not have been permitted if he or she had been a surviving spouse. The department is not authorized to pursue recovery under such circumstances.
     (b) Recovery of medical assistance from a recipient's estate shall not include property made exempt from claims by federal law or treaty, including exemption for tribal artifacts that may be held by individual Native Americans.
     (6) A lien authorized under this section relates back to attach to any real property that the decedent had an ownership interest in immediately before death and is effective as of that date or date of recording, whichever is earlier.
     (7) The department may enforce a lien authorized under this section against a decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interest in real property held by the decedent immediately prior to his or her death. Such a lien enforced under this subsection shall not end and shall continue as provided in this subsection until the department's lien has been satisfied.
     (a) The value of the life estate subject to the lien shall be the value of the decedent's interest in the property subject to the life estate immediately prior to the decedent's death.
     (b) The value of the joint tenancy interest subject to the lien shall be the value of the decedent's fractional interest the recipient would have owned in the jointly held interest in the property had the recipient and the surviving joint tenants held title to the property as tenants in common on the date of the recipient's death.
     (c) The department may not enforce the lien provided by this subsection against a bona fide purchaser or encumbrancer that obtains an interest in the property after the death of the recipient and before the department records either its lien or the request for notice of transfer or encumbrance as provided by RCW 43.20B.750.
     (d) The department may not enforce a lien provided by this subsection against any property right that vested prior to July 1, 2005.
     (8)(a) Subject to the requirements of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(a) and the conditions of this subsection (8), the department is authorized to file a lien against the property of an individual prior to his or her death, and to seek adjustment and recovery from the individual's estate or sale of the property subject to the lien, if:
     (i) The individual is an inpatient in a nursing facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with mental retardation, or other medical institution; and
     (ii) The department has determined after notice and opportunity for a hearing that the individual cannot reasonably be expected to be discharged from the medical institution and to return home.
     (b) If the individual is discharged from the medical facility and returns home, the department shall dissolve the lien.
     (9) The department is authorized to adopt rules to effect recovery under this section. The department may adopt by rule later enactments of the federal laws referenced in this section.
     (10) It is the responsibility of the department to fully disclose in advance verbally and in writing, in easy to understand language, the terms and conditions of estate recovery to all persons offered long-term care services subject to recovery of payments.
     (11) In disclosing estate recovery costs to potential clients, and to family members at the consent of the client, the department shall provide a written description of the community service options.

Sec. 303   RCW 70.123.020 and 1991 c 301 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Shelter" means a place of temporary refuge, offered on a twenty-four hour, seven day per week basis to victims of domestic violence and their children.
     (2) "Domestic violence" is a categorization of offenses, as defined in RCW 10.99.020, committed by one cohabitant against another.
     (3) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
     (4) "Victim" means a cohabitant who has been subjected to domestic violence.
     (5) "Cohabitant" means a person who is or was married, in a state registered domestic partnership, or ((who is)) cohabiting with ((a)) another person ((of the opposite sex like husband and wife)) in an intimate or dating relationship at the present or at sometime in the past. Any person who has one or more children in common with another person, regardless of whether they have been married, in a domestic partnership with each other, or lived together at any time, shall be treated as a cohabitant.
     (6) "Community advocate" means a person employed by a local domestic violence program to provide ongoing assistance to victims of domestic violence in assessing safety needs, documenting the incidents and the extent of violence for possible use in the legal system, making appropriate social service referrals, and developing protocols and maintaining ongoing contacts necessary for local systems coordination.
     (7) "Domestic violence program" means an agency that provides shelter, advocacy, and counseling for domestic violence victims in a supportive environment.
     (8) "Legal advocate" means a person employed by a domestic violence program or court system to advocate for victims of domestic violence, within the criminal and civil justice systems, by attending court proceedings, assisting in document and case preparation, and ensuring linkage with the community advocate.
     (9) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services or the secretary's designee.

Sec. 304   RCW 70.129.140 and 1994 c 214 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The facility must promote care for residents in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident's dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality.
     (2) Within reasonable facility rules designed to protect the rights and quality of life of residents, the resident has the right to:
     (a) Choose activities, schedules, and health care consistent with his or her interests, assessments, and plans of care;
     (b) Interact with members of the community both inside and outside the facility;
     (c) Make choices about aspects of his or her life in the facility that are significant to the resident;
     (d) Wear his or her own clothing and determine his or her own dress, hair style, or other personal effects according to individual preference;
     (e) Unless adjudged incompetent or otherwise found to be legally incapacitated, participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care and treatment;
     (f) Unless adjudged incompetent or otherwise found to be legally incapacitated, to direct his or her own service plan and changes in the service plan, and to refuse any particular service so long as such refusal is documented in the record of the resident.
     (3)(a) A resident has the right to organize and participate in resident groups in the facility.
     (b) A resident's family has the right to meet in the facility with the families of other residents in the facility.
     (c) The facility must provide a resident or family group, if one exists, with meeting space.
     (d) Staff or visitors may attend meetings at the group's invitation.
     (e) When a resident or family group exists, the facility must listen to the views and act upon the grievances and recommendations of residents and families concerning proposed policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and life in the facility.
     (f) The resident has the right to refuse to perform services for the facility except as voluntarily agreed by the resident and the facility in the resident's service plan.
     (4) A resident has the right to participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other residents in the facility.
     (5) A resident has the right to:
     (a) Reside and receive services in the facility with reasonable accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except when the health or safety of the individual or other residents would be endangered; and
     (b) Receive notice before the resident's room or roommate in the facility is changed.
     (6) A resident has the right to share a double room with his or her spouse or domestic partner when ((married)) residents who are married to each other or in a domestic partnership with each other live in the same facility and both spouses or both domestic partners consent to the arrangement.

Sec. 305   RCW 74.42.070 and 1979 ex.s. c 211 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     Residents shall be given privacy during treatment and care of personal needs. ((Married)) Residents who are spouses or domestic partners shall be given privacy during visits with their spouses or their domestic partners. If both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners are residents of the facility, the facility shall permit the ((husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners to share a room, unless medically contraindicated.

Sec. 401   RCW 4.22.020 and 1987 c 212 s 801 are each amended to read as follows:
     The contributory fault of one spouse or one domestic partner shall not be imputed to the other spouse or other domestic partner or the minor child of the spouse or domestic partner to diminish recovery in an action by the other spouse or other domestic partner or the minor child of the spouse or other domestic partner, or his or her legal representative, to recover damages caused by fault resulting in death or in injury to the person or property, whether separate or community, of the spouse or domestic partner. In an action brought for wrongful death or loss of consortium, the contributory fault of the decedent or injured person shall be imputed to the claimant in that action.

Sec. 402   RCW 5.60.060 and 2007 c 472 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A ((husband)) spouse or domestic partner shall not be examined for or against his ((wife)) or her spouse or domestic partner, without the consent of the ((wife, nor a wife for or against her husband without the consent of the husband)) spouse or domestic partner; nor can either during marriage or during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the other during the marriage or the domestic partnership. But this exception shall not apply to a civil action or proceeding by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by one against the other, nor to a criminal action or proceeding against a spouse or domestic partner if the marriage or the domestic partnership occurred subsequent to the filing of formal charges against the defendant, nor to a criminal action or proceeding for a crime committed by said ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner against any child of whom said ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner is the parent or guardian, nor to a proceeding under chapter 70.96A, 70.96B, 71.05, or 71.09 RCW: PROVIDED, That the spouse or the domestic partner of a person sought to be detained under chapter 70.96A, 70.96B, 71.05, or 71.09 RCW may not be compelled to testify and shall be so informed by the court prior to being called as a witness.
     (2)(a) An attorney or counselor shall not, without the consent of his or her client, be examined as to any communication made by the client to him or her, or his or her advice given thereon in the course of professional employment.
     (b) A parent or guardian of a minor child arrested on a criminal charge may not be examined as to a communication between the child and his or her attorney if the communication was made in the presence of the parent or guardian. This privilege does not extend to communications made prior to the arrest.
     (3) A member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner listed in the Christian Science Journal, or a priest shall not, without the consent of a person making the confession or sacred confidence, be examined as to any confession or sacred confidence made to him or her in his or her professional character, in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs.
     (4) Subject to the limitations under RCW 70.96A.140 or 71.05.360 (8) and (9), a physician or surgeon or osteopathic physician or surgeon or podiatric physician or surgeon shall not, without the consent of his or her patient, be examined in a civil action as to any information acquired in attending such patient, which was necessary to enable him or her to prescribe or act for the patient, except as follows:
     (a) In any judicial proceedings regarding a child's injury, neglect, or sexual abuse or the cause thereof; and
     (b) Ninety days after filing an action for personal injuries or wrongful death, the claimant shall be deemed to waive the physician-patient privilege. Waiver of the physician-patient privilege for any one physician or condition constitutes a waiver of the privilege as to all physicians or conditions, subject to such limitations as a court may impose pursuant to court rules.
     (5) A public officer shall not be examined as a witness as to communications made to him or her in official confidence, when the public interest would suffer by the disclosure.
     (6)(a) A peer support group counselor shall not, without consent of the law enforcement officer or firefighter making the communication, be compelled to testify about any communication made to the counselor by the officer or firefighter while receiving counseling. The counselor must be designated as such by the sheriff, police chief, fire chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol, prior to the incident that results in counseling. The privilege only applies when the communication was made to the counselor while acting in his or her capacity as a peer support group counselor. The privilege does not apply if the counselor was an initial responding officer or firefighter, a witness, or a party to the incident which prompted the delivery of peer support group counseling services to the law enforcement officer or firefighter.
     (b) For purposes of this section, "peer support group counselor" means a:
     (i) Law enforcement officer, firefighter, civilian employee of a law enforcement agency, or civilian employee of a fire department, who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer or firefighter who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer or firefighter was involved while acting in his or her official capacity; or
     (ii) Nonemployee counselor who has been designated by the sheriff, police chief, fire chief, or chief of the Washington state patrol to provide emotional and moral support and counseling to an officer or firefighter who needs those services as a result of an incident in which the officer or firefighter was involved while acting in his or her official capacity.
     (7) A sexual assault advocate may not, without the consent of the victim, be examined as to any communication made between the victim and the sexual assault advocate.
     (a) For purposes of this section, "sexual assault advocate" means the employee or volunteer from a rape crisis center, victim assistance unit, program, or association, that provides information, medical or legal advocacy, counseling, or support to victims of sexual assault, who is designated by the victim to accompany the victim to the hospital or other health care facility and to proceedings concerning the alleged assault, including police and prosecution interviews and court proceedings.
     (b) A sexual assault advocate may disclose a confidential communication without the consent of the victim if failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person. Any sexual assault advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of records and communications under this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this section, the good faith of the sexual assault advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be presumed.
     (8) A domestic violence advocate may not, without the consent of the victim, be examined as to any communication between the victim and the domestic violence advocate.
     (a) For purposes of this section, "domestic violence advocate" means an employee or supervised volunteer from a community-based domestic violence program or human services program that provides information, advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, or support to victims of domestic violence and who is not employed by, or under the direct supervision of, a law enforcement agency, a prosecutor's office, or the child protective services section of the department of social and health services as defined in RCW 26.44.020.
     (b) A domestic violence advocate may disclose a confidential communication without the consent of the victim if failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person. This section does not relieve a domestic violence advocate from the requirement to report or cause to be reported an incident under RCW 26.44.030(1) or to disclose relevant records relating to a child as required by RCW 26.44.030(((11))) (12). Any domestic violence advocate participating in good faith in the disclosing of communications under this subsection is immune from liability, civil, criminal, or otherwise, that might result from the action. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, arising out of a disclosure under this subsection, the good faith of the domestic violence advocate who disclosed the confidential communication shall be presumed.

Sec. 403   RCW 5.66.010 and 2002 c 334 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The portion of statements, writings, or benevolent gestures expressing sympathy or a general sense of benevolence relating to the pain, suffering, or death of a person involved in an accident, and made to that person or to the family of that person, shall be inadmissible as evidence in a civil action. A statement of fault, however, which is part of, or in addition to, any of the above shall not be made inadmissible by this section.
     (2) For purposes of this section:
     (a) "Accident" means an occurrence resulting in injury or death to one or more persons that is not the result of willful action by a party.
     (b) "Benevolent gestures" means actions that convey a sense of compassion or commiseration emanating from humane impulses.
     (c) "Family" means the spouse or the domestic partner, parent, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, adopted child of a parent, or spouse's or domestic partner's parents of an injured party.

Sec. 404   RCW 7.69.020 and 1993 c 350 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Crime" means an act punishable as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor under the laws of this state or equivalent federal or local law.
     (2) "Survivor" or "survivors" of a victim of crime means a spouse or domestic partner, child, parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent. If there is more than one survivor of a victim of crime, one survivor shall be designated by the prosecutor to represent all survivors for purposes of providing the notice to survivors required by this chapter.
     (3) "Victim" means a person against whom a crime has been committed or the representative of a person against whom a crime has been committed.
     (4) "Victim impact statement" means a statement submitted to the court by the victim or a survivor, individually or with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney if assistance is requested by the victim or survivor, which may include but is not limited to information assessing the financial, medical, social, and psychological impact of the offense upon the victim or survivors.
     (5) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution in a criminal action, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced.
     (6) "Crime victim/witness program" means any crime victim and witness program of a county or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor's office, any rape crisis center's sexual assault victim advocacy program as provided in chapter 70.125 RCW, any domestic violence program's legal and community advocate program for domestic violence victims as provided in chapter 70.123 RCW, or any other crime victim advocacy program which provides trained advocates to assist crime victims during the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

Sec. 405   RCW 7.69B.010 and 2005 c 381 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Crime" means an act punishable as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor under the laws of this state or equivalent federal or local law.
     (2) "Dependent person" has the same meaning as that term is defined in RCW 9A.42.010.
     (3) "Victim" means a living person against whom a crime has been committed.
     (4) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution or defense in a criminal action, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced.
     (5) "Family member" means a person who is not accused of a crime and who is an adult child, adult sibling, spouse or domestic partner, parent, or legal guardian of the dependent person.
     (6) "Advocate" means any person not accused of a crime, including a family member, approved by the witness or victim, in consultation with his or her guardian if applicable, who provides support to a dependent person during any legal proceeding.
     (7) "Court proceedings" means any court proceeding conducted during the course of the prosecution of a crime committed against a dependent person, including pretrial hearings, trial, sentencing, or appellate proceedings.
     (8) "Identifying information" means the dependent person's name, address, location, and photograph, and in cases in which the dependent person is a relative of the alleged perpetrator, identification of the relationship between the dependent person and the alleged perpetrator.
     (9) "Crime victim/witness program" means any crime victim and witness program of a county or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor's office, any rape crisis center's sexual assault victim advocacy program as provided in chapter 70.125 RCW, any domestic violence program's legal and community advocate program for domestic violence victims as provided in chapter 70.123 RCW, or any other crime victim advocacy program which provides trained advocates to assist crime victims during the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

Sec. 406   RCW 26.50.010 and 1999 c 184 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings given them:
     (1) "Domestic violence" means: (a) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members; (b) sexual assault of one family or household member by another; or (c) stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member.
     (2) "Family or household members" means spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.
     (3) "Dating relationship" means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider in making this determination include: (a) The length of time the relationship has existed; (b) the nature of the relationship; and (c) the frequency of interaction between the parties.
     (4) "Court" includes the superior, district, and municipal courts of the state of Washington.
     (5) "Judicial day" does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.
     (6) "Electronic monitoring" means a program in which a person's presence at a particular location is monitored from a remote location by use of electronic equipment.
     (7) "Essential personal effects" means those items necessary for a person's immediate health, welfare, and livelihood. "Essential personal effects" includes but is not limited to clothing, cribs, bedding, documents, medications, and personal hygiene items.

Sec. 407   RCW 4.08.030 and 1972 ex.s. c 108 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Either ((husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner may sue on behalf of the community: PROVIDED, That
     (1) When the action is for personal injuries, the spouse or the domestic partner having sustained personal injuries is a necessary party;
     (2) When the action is for compensation for services rendered, the spouse or the domestic partner having rendered the services is a necessary party.

Sec. 408   RCW 4.08.040 and 1972 ex.s. c 108 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Husband and wife)) Either spouse or either domestic partner may join in all causes of action arising from injuries to the person or character of either or both of them, or from injuries to the property of either or both of them, or arising out of any contract in favor of either or both of them.
     If ((a husband and wife be)) the spouses or the domestic partners are sued together, either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners may defend, and if one spouse or one domestic partner neglects to defend, the other spouse or other domestic partner may defend for the nonacting spouse or nonacting domestic partner also. ((And)) Each spouse or each domestic partner may defend in all cases in which he or she is interested, whether that spouse or that domestic partner is sued with the other spouse or other domestic partner or not.

Sec. 409   RCW 4.20.046 and 1993 c 44 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All causes of action by a person or persons against another person or persons shall survive to the personal representatives of the former and against the personal representatives of the latter, whether such actions arise on contract or otherwise, and whether or not such actions would have survived at the common law or prior to the date of enactment of this section: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the personal representative shall only be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress, or humiliation personal to and suffered by a deceased on behalf of those beneficiaries enumerated in RCW 4.20.020, and such damages are recoverable regardless of whether or not the death was occasioned by the injury that is the basis for the action. The liability of property of ((a husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners held by them as community property to execution in satisfaction of a claim enforceable against such property so held shall not be affected by the death of either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners; and a cause of action shall remain an asset as though both claiming spouses or both claiming domestic partners continued to live despite the death of either or both claiming spouses or both claiming domestic partners.
     (2) Where death or an injury to person or property, resulting from a wrongful act, neglect or default, occurs simultaneously with or after the death of a person who would have been liable therefor if his or her death had not occurred simultaneously with such death or injury or had not intervened between the wrongful act, neglect or default and the resulting death or injury, an action to recover damages for such death or injury may be maintained against the personal representative of such person.

Sec. 501   RCW 28B.15.621 and 2007 c 450 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that active military and naval veterans, reserve military and naval veterans, and national guard members called to active duty have served their country and have risked their lives to defend the lives of all Americans and the freedoms that define and distinguish our nation. The legislature intends to honor active military and naval veterans, reserve military and naval veterans, and national guard members who have served on active military or naval duty for the public service they have provided to this country.
     (2) Subject to the limitations in RCW 28B.15.910, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges, may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for an eligible veteran or national guard member.
     (3) The governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges, may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for a military or naval veteran who is a Washington domiciliary, but who did not serve on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters and who does not qualify as an eligible veteran or national guard member under subsection (8) of this section. However, there shall be no state general fund support for waivers granted under this subsection.
     (4) Subject to the conditions in subsection (5) of this section, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges, shall waive all tuition and fees for the following persons:
     (a) A child and the spouse or the domestic partner or surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of an eligible veteran or national guard member who became totally disabled as defined in RCW 28B.15.385 while engaged in active federal military or naval service, or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action; and
     (b) A child and the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of an eligible veteran or national guard member who lost his or her life while engaged in active federal military or naval service.
     (5) The conditions in this subsection (5) apply to waivers under subsection (4) of this section.
     (a) A child must be a Washington domiciliary between the age of seventeen and twenty-six to be eligible for the tuition waiver. A child's marital status does not affect eligibility.
     (b) A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner must be a Washington domiciliary. A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner has ten years from the date of the death, total disability as defined in RCW 28B.15.385, or federal determination of prisoner of war or missing in action status of the eligible veteran or national guard member to receive the benefit. Upon remarriage or registration in a subsequent domestic partnership, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is ineligible for the waiver of all tuition and fees.
     (c) Each recipient's continued participation is subject to the school's satisfactory progress policy.
     (6) Required waivers of all tuition and fees under subsection (4) of this section shall not affect permissive waivers of tuition and fees under subsection (3) of this section.
     (7) Private vocational schools and private higher education institutions are encouraged to provide waivers consistent with the terms in subsections (2) through (5) of this section.
     (8) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.
     (a) "Eligible veteran or national guard member" means a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.
     (b) "Washington domiciliary" means a person whose true, fixed, and permanent house and place of habitation is the state of Washington. "Washington domiciliary" includes a person who is residing in rental housing or residing in base housing. In ascertaining whether a child or surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is domiciled in the state of Washington, public institutions of higher education shall, to the fullest extent possible, rely upon the standards provided in RCW 28B.15.013.

Sec. 502   RCW 73.08.005 and 2005 c 250 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Direct costs" includes those allowable costs that can be readily assigned to the statutory objectives of this chapter, consistent with the cost principles promulgated by the federal office of management and budget in circular No. A-87, dated May 10, 2004.
     (2) "Family" means the spouse or domestic partner, ((widow, widower)) surviving spouse, surviving domestic partner, and dependent children of a living or deceased veteran.
     (3) "Indigent" means a person who is defined as such by the county legislative authority using one or more of the following definitions:
     (a) Receiving one of the following types of public assistance: Temporary assistance for needy families, general assistance, poverty-related veterans' benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, medicaid, or supplemental security income;
     (b) Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of up to one hundred fifty percent or less of the current federally established poverty level, or receiving an annual income not exceeding a higher qualifying income established by the county legislative authority; or
     (c) Unable to pay reasonable costs for shelter, food, utilities, and transportation because his or her available funds are insufficient.
     (4) "Indirect costs" includes those allowable costs that are generally associated with carrying out the statutory objectives of this chapter, but the identification and tracking of those costs cannot be readily assigned to a specific statutory objective without an accounting effort that is disproportionate to the benefit received. A county legislative authority may allocate allowable indirect costs to its veterans' assistance fund if it is accomplished in a manner consistent with the cost principles promulgated by the federal office of management and budget in circular No. A-87, dated May 10, 2004.
     (5) "Veteran" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and 41.04.007.
     (6) "Veterans' advisory board" means a board established by a county legislative authority under the authority of RCW 73.08.035.
     (7) "Veterans' assistance fund" means an account in the custody of the county auditor, or the chief financial officer in a county operating under a charter, that is funded by taxes levied under the authority of RCW 73.08.080.
     (8) "Veterans' assistance program" means a program approved by the county legislative authority under the authority of RCW 73.08.010 that is fully or partially funded by the veterans' assistance fund authorized by RCW 73.08.080.

Sec. 503   RCW 72.36.030 and 1998 c 322 s 49 are each amended to read as follows:
     All of the following persons who have been actual bona fide residents of this state at the time of their application, and who are indigent and unable to support themselves and their families may be admitted to a state veterans' home under rules as may be adopted by the director of the department, unless sufficient facilities and resources are not available to accommodate these people:
     (1)(a) All honorably discharged veterans of a branch of the armed forces of the United States or merchant marines; (b) members of the state militia disabled while in the line of duty; (c) Filipino World War II veterans who swore an oath to American authority and who participated in military engagements with American soldiers; and (d) the spouses or the domestic partners of these veterans, merchant marines, and members of the state militia. However, it is required that the spouse was married to and living with the veteran, or that the domestic partner was in a domestic partnership and living with the veteran, three years prior to the date of application for admittance, or, if married to or in a domestic partnership with him or her since that date, was also a resident of a state veterans' home in this state or entitled to admission thereto;
     (2)(a) The spouses or domestic partners of: (i) All honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces; (ii) merchant marines; and (iii) members of the state militia who were disabled while in the line of duty and who were residents of a state veterans' home in this state or were entitled to admission to one of this state's state veteran homes at the time of death; (b) the spouses or domestic partners of: (i) All honorably discharged veterans of a branch of the United States armed forces; (ii) merchant marines; and (iii) members of the state militia who would have been entitled to admission to one of this state's state veterans' homes at the time of death, but for the fact that the spouse or domestic partner was not indigent, but has since become indigent and unable to support himself or herself and his or her family. However, the included spouse or included domestic partner shall be at least fifty years old and have been married to and living with their ((husband or wife)) spouse, or in a domestic partnership and living with their domestic partner, for three years prior to the date of their application. The included spouse or included domestic partner shall not have been married since the death of his or her ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner to a person who is not a resident of one of this state's state veterans' homes or entitled to admission to one of this state's state veterans' homes; and
     (3) All applicants for admission to a state veterans' home shall apply for all federal and state benefits for which they may be eligible, including medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW.

Sec. 504   RCW 72.36.040 and 1977 ex.s. c 186 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby established what shall be known as the "Colony of the State Soldiers' Home." All of the following persons who reside within the limits of Orting school district and have been actual bona fide residents of this state at the time of their application and who have personal property of less than one thousand five hundred dollars and/or a monthly income insufficient to meet their needs outside of residence in such colony and soldiers' home as determined by standards of the department of veterans' affairs, may be admitted to membership in said colony under such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the department.
     (1) All honorably discharged veterans who have served in the armed forces of the United States during wartime, members of the state militia disabled while in the line of duty, and their respective spouses or domestic partners with whom they have lived for three years prior to application for membership in said colony. Also, the spouse or domestic partner of any such veteran or disabled member of the state militia is eligible for membership in said colony, if such spouse or such domestic partner is the ((widow or widower)) surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a veteran who was a member of a soldiers' home or colony in this state or entitled to admission thereto at the time of death: PROVIDED, That such veterans and members of the state militia shall, while they are members of said colony, be living with their said spouses or said domestic partners.
     (2) The spouses or domestic partners of all veterans who were members of a soldiers' home or colony in this state or entitled to admission thereto at the time of death, and the spouses or domestic partners of all veterans who would have been entitled to admission to a soldiers' home or colony in this state at the time of death but for the fact that they were not indigent and unable to support themselves and families, which spouses or domestic partners have since the death of their said ((husbands or wives)) spouses or domestic partners become indigent and unable to earn a support for themselves: PROVIDED, That such spouses or such domestic partners are not less than fifty years of age and have not been married or in a domestic partnership since the decease of their said ((husbands or wives)) spouses or said domestic partners to any person not a member of a soldiers' home or colony in this state or entitled to admission thereto. Any resident of said colony may be admitted to the state soldiers' home for temporary care when requiring treatment.

Sec. 505   RCW 72.36.050 and 1979 c 65 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The members of the colony established in RCW 72.36.040 as now or hereafter amended shall, to all intents and purposes, be members of the state soldiers' home and subject to all the rules and regulations thereof, except the requirements of fatigue duty, and each member shall, in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the director, be supplied with medical attendance and supplies from the home dispensary, rations, and clothing for a member and his or her spouse or domestic partner, or for a spouse or domestic partner admitted under RCW 72.36.040 as now or hereafter amended. The value of the supplies, rations, and clothing furnished such persons shall be determined by the director of veterans affairs and be included in the biennial budget.

Sec. 506   RCW 72.36.070 and 1977 ex.s. c 186 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     There shall be established and maintained in this state a branch of the state soldiers' home, under the name of the "Washington veterans' home," which branch shall be a home for honorably discharged veterans who have served the United States government in any of its wars, members of the state militia disabled while in the line of duty, and who are bona fide citizens of the state, and also the spouses or domestic partners of such veterans.

Sec. 507   RCW 72.36.110 and 1959 c 120 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The superintendent of the Washington veterans' home and the superintendent of the Washington soldiers' home and colony are hereby authorized to provide for the burial of deceased members in the cemeteries provided at the Washington veterans' home and Washington soldiers' home: PROVIDED, That this section shall not be construed to prevent any relative from assuming jurisdiction of such deceased persons: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the superintendent of the Washington soldiers' home and colony is hereby authorized to provide for the burial of ((husbands and wives)) spouses or domestic partners of members of the colony of the Washington soldiers' home.

Sec. 508   RCW 73.04.120 and 1985 c 44 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
     County clerks and county auditors, respectively, are authorized and directed to furnish free of charge to the legal representative, surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, child or parent of any deceased veteran certified copies of marriage certificates, decrees of ((divorce)) dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, or annulment, or other documents contained in their files and to record and issue, free of charge, certified copies of such documents from other states, territories, or foreign countries affecting the marital status of such veteran whenever any such document shall be required in connection with any claim pending before the United States veterans' bureau or other governmental agency administering benefits to war veterans. Where these same documents are required of service personnel of the armed forces of the United States for determining entitlement to family allowances and other benefits, they shall be provided without charge by county clerks and county auditors upon request of the person in the service or his dependents.

Sec. 509   RCW 73.36.140 and 1951 c 53 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     A guardian shall not apply any portion of the income or the estate for the support or maintenance of any person including the ward, the spouse or the domestic partner, and the minor children of the ward, except upon petition to and prior order of the court after a hearing. A signed duplicate or certified copy of said petition shall be furnished the proper office of the veterans administration and notice of hearing thereon shall be given said office as provided in the case of hearing on a guardian's account or other pleading.

Sec. 510   RCW 73.04.010 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 106 are each amended to read as follows:
     No judge, or clerk of court, county clerk, county auditor, or any other county officer, shall be allowed to charge any honorably discharged soldier or seaman, or the spouse or domestic partner, orphan, or legal representative thereof, any fee for administering any oath, or giving any official certificate for the procuring of any pension, bounty, or back pay, nor for administering any oath or oaths and giving the certificate required upon any voucher for collection of periodical dues from the pension agent, nor any fee for services rendered in perfecting any voucher.

Sec. 511   RCW 73.04.115 and 2005 c 216 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall issue to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of any deceased former prisoner of war described in RCW 73.04.110(((2))) (1)(b), one set of regular or special license plates for use on a personal passenger vehicle registered to that person.
     (2) The plates shall be issued without the payment of any license fees or excise tax on the vehicle. Whenever any person who has been issued license plates under this section applies to the department for transfer of the plates to a subsequently acquired motor vehicle, a transfer fee of five dollars shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees. If the surviving spouse remarries or the surviving domestic partner registers in a new domestic partnership, he or she shall return the special plates to the department within fifteen days and apply for regular license plates.
     (3) For purposes of this section, the term "special license plates" does not include any plate from the armed forces license plate collection established in RCW 46.16.30920.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 601   A new section is added to chapter 26.60 RCW to read as follows:
     Any community property rights of domestic partners established by this act shall apply from the date of the initial registration of the domestic partnership, regardless of whether the date of registration occurred before the effective date of this section.

Sec. 602   RCW 26.16.010 and Code 1881 s 2408 are each amended to read as follows:
     Property and pecuniary rights owned by ((the husband)) a spouse before marriage and that acquired by him or her afterwards by gift, bequest, devise ((or)), descent, or inheritance, with the rents, issues and profits thereof, shall not be subject to the debts or contracts of his ((wife)) or her spouse, and he or she may manage, lease, sell, convey, encumber or devise by will such property without ((the wife)) his or her spouse joining in such management, alienation or encumbrance, as fully, and to the same ((effect)) extent or in the same manner as though he or she were unmarried.

Sec. 603   RCW 26.16.020 and Code 1881 s 2400 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((The)) Property and pecuniary rights ((of every married woman at the time of her marriage)) owned by a person in a state registered domestic partnership before registration of the domestic partnership or afterwards acquired by gift, bequest, devise, descent, or inheritance, with the rents, issues and profits thereof, shall not be subject to the debts or contracts of ((her husband)) his or her domestic partner, and he or she may manage, lease, sell, convey, encumber or devise by will such property without his or her domestic partner joining in such management, alienation, or encumbrance, as fully, to the same extent and in the same manner ((that her husband can, property belonging to him)) as though he or she were not in a state registered domestic partnership.

Sec. 604   RCW 26.16.030 and 1981 c 304 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Property not acquired or owned, as prescribed in RCW 26.16.010 and 26.16.020, acquired after marriage or after registration of a state registered domestic partnership by either domestic partner or either husband or wife or both, is community property. Either spouse or either domestic partner, acting alone, may manage and control community property, with a like power of disposition as the acting spouse or domestic partner has over his or her separate property, except:
     (1) Neither ((spouse)) person shall devise or bequeath by will more than one-half of the community property.
     (2) Neither ((spouse)) person shall give community property without the express or implied consent of the other.
     (3) Neither ((spouse)) person shall sell, convey, or encumber the community real property without the other spouse or other domestic partner joining in the execution of the deed or other instrument by which the real estate is sold, conveyed, or encumbered, and such deed or other instrument must be acknowledged by both spouses or both domestic partners.
     (4) Neither ((spouse)) person shall purchase or contract to purchase community real property without the other spouse or other domestic partner joining in the transaction of purchase or in the execution of the contract to purchase.
     (5) Neither ((spouse)) person shall create a security interest other than a purchase money security interest as defined in RCW 62A.9-107 in, or sell, community household goods, furnishings, or appliances, or a community mobile home unless the other spouse or other domestic partner joins in executing the security agreement or bill of sale, if any.
     (6) Neither ((spouse)) person shall acquire, purchase, sell, convey, or encumber the assets, including real estate, or the good will of a business where both spouses or both domestic partners participate in its management without the consent of the other: PROVIDED, That where only one spouse or one domestic partner participates in such management the participating spouse or participating domestic partner may, in the ordinary course of such business, acquire, purchase, sell, convey or encumber the assets, including real estate, or the good will of the business without the consent of the nonparticipating spouse or nonparticipating domestic partner.

Sec. 605   RCW 26.16.050 and 1888 c 27 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     A ((husband)) spouse or domestic partner may give, grant, sell or convey directly to ((his wife, and a wife may give, grant, sell or convey directly to her husband)) the other spouse or other domestic partner his or her community right, title, interest or estate in all or any portion of their community real property: And every deed made from ((husband to wife, or from wife to husband)) one spouse to the other or one domestic partner to the other, shall operate to divest the real estate therein recited from any or every claim or demand as community property and shall vest the same in the grantee as separate property(([. The])). The grantor in all such deeds, or the party releasing such community interest or estate shall sign, seal, execute and acknowledge the deed as a single person without the joinder therein of the married party or party to a state registered domestic partnership therein named as grantee: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the conveyances or transfers hereby authorized shall not affect any existing equity in favor of creditors of the grantor at the time of such transfer, gift or conveyance. AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That any deeds of gift conveyances or releases of community estate by or between ((husband and wife)) spouses or between domestic partners heretofore made but in which ((the husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners have not joined as grantors, said deeds(([,])), where made in good faith and without intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors(([,])), shall be and the same are hereby fully legalized as valid and binding.

Sec. 606   RCW 26.16.060 and Code 1881 s 2403 are each amended to read as follows:
     A ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner may constitute the other his or her attorney-in-fact to manage, control or dispose of his or her property with the same power of revocation or substitution as could be exercised were they unmarried persons or were they not in a state registered domestic partnership.

Sec. 607   RCW 26.16.070 and 1888 c 27 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     A ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner may make and execute powers of attorney for the sale, conveyance, transfer or encumbrance of his or her separate estate both real and personal, without the other spouse or other domestic partner joining in the execution thereof. Such power of attorney shall be acknowledged and certified in the manner provided by law for the conveyance of real estate. Nor shall anything herein contained be so construed as to prevent either ((husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner from appointing the other his or her attorney-in-fact for the purposes provided in this section.

Sec. 608   RCW 26.16.080 and 1888 c 27 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any conveyance, transfer, deed, lease or other encumbrances executed under and by virtue of such power of attorney shall be executed, acknowledged and certified in the same manner as if the person making such power of attorney had been unmarried or not in a state registered domestic partnership.

Sec. 609   RCW 26.16.090 and 1888 c 27 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     A ((husband)) spouse or domestic partner may make and execute a letter of attorney to ((the wife, or the wife may make and execute a letter of attorney to the husband)) his or her spouse or domestic partner authorizing the sale or other disposition of his or her community interest or estate in the community property and as such attorney-in-fact to sign the name of such ((husband or wife)) spouse or such domestic partner to any deed, conveyance, mortgage, lease or other encumbrance or to any instrument necessary to be executed by which the property conveyed or transferred shall be released from any claim as community property. And either ((said husband or said wife)) spouse or either domestic partner may make and execute a letter of attorney to any third person to join with the other in the conveyance of any interest either in separate real estate of either, or in the community estate held by such ((husband or wife)) spouse or such domestic partner in any real property. And both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners owning community property may jointly execute a power of attorney to a third person authorizing the sale, encumbrance or other disposition of community real property, and so execute the necessary conveyance or transfer of said real estate.

Sec. 610   RCW 26.16.095 and 1891 c 151 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever any person, married, in a state registered domestic partnership, or single, having in his or her name the legal title of record to any real estate, shall sell or dispose of the same to an actual bona fide purchaser, a deed of such real estate from the person holding such legal record title to such actual bona fide purchaser shall be sufficient to convey to, and vest in, such purchaser the full legal and equitable title to such real estate free and clear of any and all claims of any and all persons whatsoever, not appearing of record in the auditor's office of the county in which such real estate is situated.

Sec. 611   RCW 26.16.100 and 1891 c 151 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     A ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner having an interest in real estate, by virtue of the marriage relation or state registered domestic partnership, the legal title of record to which real estate is or shall be held by the other, may protect such interest from sale or disposition by the ((husband or wife)) other spouse or other domestic partner, as the case may be, in whose name the legal title is held, by causing to be filed and recorded in the auditor's office of the county in which such real estate is situated an instrument in writing setting forth that the person filing such instrument is the ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner, as the case may be, of the person holding the legal title to the real estate in question, describing such real estate and the claimant's interest therein; and when thus presented for record such instrument shall be filed and recorded by the auditor of the county in which such real estate is situated, in the same manner and with like effect as regards notice to all the world, as deeds of real estate are filed and recorded. And if either ((husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner fails to cause such an instrument to be filed in the auditor's office in the county in which real estate is situated, the legal title to which is held by the other, within a period of ninety days from the date when such legal title has been made a matter of record, any actual bona fide purchaser of such real estate from the person in whose name the legal title stands of record, receiving a deed of such real estate from the person thus holding the legal title, shall be deemed and held to have received the full legal and equitable title to such real estate free and clear of all claim of the other spouse or other domestic partner.

Sec. 612   RCW 26.16.120 and 1998 c 292 s 505 are each amended to read as follows:
     Nothing contained in any of the provisions of this chapter or in any law of this state, shall prevent ((the husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners from jointly entering into any agreement concerning the status or disposition of the whole or any portion of the community property, then owned by them or afterwards to be acquired, to take effect upon the death of either. But such agreement may be made at any time by ((the husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners by the execution of an instrument in writing under their hands and seals, and to be witnessed, acknowledged and certified in the same manner as deeds to real estate are required to be, under the laws of the state, and the same may at any time thereafter be altered or amended in the same manner. Such agreement shall not derogate from the right of creditors; nor be construed to curtail the powers of the superior court to set aside or cancel such agreement for fraud or under some other recognized head of equity jurisdiction, at the suit of either party; nor prevent the application of laws governing the community property and inheritance rights of slayers under chapter 11.84 RCW.

Sec. 613   RCW 26.16.140 and 1972 ex.s. c 108 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     When ((a husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners are living separate and apart, their respective earnings and accumulations shall be the separate property of each. The earnings and accumulations of minor children shall be the separate property of the spouse or domestic partner who has their custody or, if no custody award has been made, then the separate property of the spouse or domestic partner with whom said children are living.

Sec. 614   RCW 26.16.150 and Code 1881 s 2396 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every married person or domestic partner shall hereafter have the same right and liberty to acquire, hold, enjoy and dispose of every species of property, and to sue and be sued, as if he or she were unmarried or were not in a state registered domestic partnership.

Sec. 615   RCW 26.16.180 and Code 1881 s 2401 are each amended to read as follows:
     Should either ((husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner obtain possession or control of property belonging to the other, either before or after marriage or before or after entering into a state registered domestic partnership, the owner of the property may maintain an action therefor, or for any right growing out of the same, in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were unmarried or were not in a state registered domestic partnership.

Sec. 616   RCW 26.16.190 and 1972 ex.s. c 108 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     For all injuries committed by a married person or domestic partner, there shall be no recovery against the separate property of the other spouse or other domestic partner except in cases where there would be joint responsibility if the marriage or the state registered domestic partnership did not exist.

Sec. 617   RCW 26.16.200 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Neither ((husband or wife)) person in a marriage or state registered domestic partnership is liable for the debts or liabilities of the other incurred before marriage or state registered domestic partnership, nor for the separate debts of each other, nor is the rent or income of the separate property of either liable for the separate debts of the other: PROVIDED, That the earnings and accumulations of the ((husband)) spouse or domestic partner shall be available to the legal process of creditors for the satisfaction of debts incurred by ((him)) such spouse or domestic partner prior to the marriage((, and the earnings and accumulations of the wife shall be available to the legal process of creditors for the satisfaction of debts incurred by her prior to marriage)) or the state registered domestic partnership. For the purpose of this section, neither ((the husband nor the wife)) person in the marriage or the state registered domestic partnership shall be construed to have any interest in the earnings of the other: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no separate debt, except a child support or maintenance obligation, may be the basis of a claim against the earnings and accumulations of either ((a husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner unless the same is reduced to judgment within three years of the marriage or the state registered domestic partnership of the parties. The obligation of a parent or stepparent to support a child may be collected out of the parent's or stepparent's separate property, the parent's or stepparent's earnings and accumulations, and the parent's or stepparent's share of community personal and real property. Funds in a community bank account which can be identified as the earnings of the nonobligated spouse or nonobligated domestic partner are exempt from satisfaction of the child support obligation of the debtor spouse or debtor domestic partner.

Sec. 618   RCW 26.16.205 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 2 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     The expenses of the family and the education of the children, including stepchildren, are chargeable upon the property of both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners, or either of them, and they may be sued jointly or separately. When a petition for dissolution of marriage or state registered domestic partnership or a petition for legal separation is filed, the court may, upon motion of the stepparent, terminate the obligation to support the stepchildren. The obligation to support stepchildren shall cease upon the entry of a decree of dissolution, decree of legal separation, or death.

Sec. 619   RCW 26.16.210 and Code 1881 s 2397 are each amended to read as follows:
     In every case, where any question arises as to the good faith of any transaction between ((husband and wife)) spouses or between domestic partners, whether a transaction between them directly or by intervention of third person or persons, the burden of proof shall be upon the party asserting the good faith.

Sec. 620   RCW 26.16.220 and 1988 c 34 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in RCW 26.16.220 through 26.16.250 "quasi-community property" means all personal property wherever situated and all real property described in subsection (2) of this section that is not community property and that was heretofore or hereafter acquired:
     (a) By the decedent while domiciled elsewhere and that would have been the community property of the decedent and of the decedent's surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner had the decedent been domiciled in this state at the time of its acquisition; or
     (b) In derivation or in exchange for real or personal property, wherever situated, that would have been the community property of the decedent and ((the)) his or her surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner if the decedent had been domiciled in this state at the time the original property was acquired.
     (2) For purposes of this section, real property includes:
     (a) Real property situated in this state;
     (b) Real property situated outside this state if the law of the state where the real property is located provides that the law of the decedent's domicile at death shall govern the rights of the decedent's surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner to a share of such property; and
     (c) Leasehold interests in real property described in (a) or (b) of this subsection.
     (3) For purposes of this section, all legal presumptions and principles applicable to the proper characterization of property as community property under the laws and decisions of this state shall apply in determining whether property would have been the community property of the decedent and ((the)) his or her surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section.

Sec. 621   RCW 26.16.230 and 1988 c 34 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon the death of any person domiciled in this state, one-half of any quasi-community property shall belong to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and the other one-half of such property shall be subject to disposition at death by the decedent, and in the absence thereof, shall descend in the manner provided for community property under chapter 11.04 RCW.

Sec. 622   RCW 26.16.240 and 1988 c 34 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If a decedent domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death made a lifetime transfer of a property interest that is quasi-community property to a person other than the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner within three years of death, then within the time for filing claims against the estate as provided by RCW 11.40.010, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may require the transferee to restore to the decedent's estate one-half of such property interest, if the transferee retains the property interest, and, if not, one-half of its proceeds, or, if none, one-half of its value at the time of transfer, if:
     (a) The decedent retained, at the time of death, the possession or enjoyment of or the right to income from the property interest;
     (b) The decedent retained, at the time of death, a power, either alone or in conjunction with any other person, to revoke or to consume, invade or dispose of the property interest for the decedent's own benefit; or
     (c) The decedent held the property interest at the time of death with another with the right of survivorship.
     (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, no such property interest, proceeds, or value may be required to be restored to the decedent's estate if:
     (a) Such property interest was transferred for adequate consideration;
     (b) Such property interest was transferred with the consent of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner; or
     (c) The transferee purchased such property interest in property from the decedent while believing in good faith that the property or property interest was the separate property of the decedent and did not constitute quasi-community property.
     (3) All property interests, proceeds, or value restored to the decedent's estate under this section shall belong to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner pursuant to RCW 26.16.230 as though the transfer had never been made.
     (4) The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may waive any right granted hereunder by written instrument filed in the probate proceedings. If the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner acts as personal representative of the decedent's estate and causes the estate to be closed before the time for exercising any right granted by this section expires, such closure shall act as a waiver by the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of any and all rights granted by this section.

Sec. 623   RCW 26.16.250 and 1988 c 34 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The characterization of property as quasi-community property under this chapter shall be effective solely for the purpose of determining the disposition of such property at the time of a death, and such characterization shall not affect the rights of the decedent's creditors. For all other purposes property characterized as quasi-community property under this chapter shall be characterized without regard to the provisions of this chapter. ((A husband and wife)) Both spouses or both domestic partners may waive, modify, or relinquish any quasi-community property right granted or created by this chapter by signed written agreement, wherever executed, before or after June 11, 1986, including without limitation, community property agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, or agreements as to status of property.

Sec. 624   RCW 11.84.030 and 1965 c 145 s 11.84.030 are each amended to read as follows:
     The slayer shall be deemed to have predeceased the decedent as to property which would have passed from the decedent or his estate to the slayer under the statutes of descent and distribution or have been acquired by statutory right as surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or under any agreement made with the decedent under the provisions of RCW 26.16.120 as it now exists or is hereafter amended.

Sec. 625   RCW 64.28.010 and 1993 c 19 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whereas joint tenancy with right of survivorship permits property to pass to the survivor without the cost or delay of probate proceedings, there shall be a form of co-ownership of property, real and personal, known as joint tenancy. A joint tenancy shall have the incidents of survivorship and severability as at common law, including the unilateral right of each tenant to sever the joint tenancy. Joint tenancy shall be created only by written instrument, which instrument shall expressly declare the interest created to be a joint tenancy. It may be created by a single agreement, transfer, deed, will, or other instrument of conveyance, or by agreement, transfer, deed or other instrument from a sole owner to himself or herself and others, or from tenants in common or joint tenants to themselves or some of them, or to themselves or any of them and others, or from ((husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners, when holding title as community property, or otherwise, to themselves or to themselves and others, or to one of them and to another or others, or when granted or devised to executors or trustees as joint tenants: PROVIDED, That such transfer shall not derogate from the rights of creditors.

Sec. 626   RCW 64.28.020 and 1988 c 29 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every interest created in favor of two or more persons in their own right is an interest in common, unless acquired by them in partnership, for partnership purposes, or unless declared in its creation to be a joint tenancy, as provided in RCW 64.28.010, or unless acquired by executors or trustees.
     (2) Interests in common held in the names of ((a husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners, whether or not in conjunction with others, are presumed to be their community property.
     (3) Subsection (2) of this section applies as of June 9, 1988, to all existing or subsequently created interests in common.

Sec. 627   RCW 64.28.030 and 1961 c 2 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The provisions of this chapter shall not restrict the creation of a joint tenancy in a bank deposit or in other choses in action as heretofore or hereafter provided by law, nor restrict the power of ((husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners to make agreements as provided in RCW 26.16.120.

Sec. 628   RCW 64.28.040 and 1993 c 19 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Joint tenancy interests held in the names of ((a husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners, whether or not in conjunction with others, are presumed to be their community property, the same as other property held in the name of both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners. Any such interest passes to the survivor of the ((husband and wife)) spouse or survivor of the domestic partner as provided for property held in joint tenancy, but in all other respects the interest is treated as community property.
     (2) Either ((husband or wife)) person in a marriage or either person in a state registered domestic partnership, or both, may sever a joint tenancy. When a joint tenancy is severed, the property, or proceeds of the property, shall be presumed to be their community property, whether it is held in the name of ((the husband or wife)) either spouse, or both, or in the name of either domestic partner, or both.
     (3) This section applies as of January 1, 1985, to all existing or subsequently created joint tenancies.

Sec. 629   RCW 9.46.231 and 1997 c 128 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following are subject to seizure and forfeiture and no property right exists in them:
     (a) All gambling devices as defined in this chapter;
     (b) All furnishings, fixtures, equipment, and stock, including without limitation furnishings and fixtures adaptable to nongambling uses and equipment and stock for printing, recording, computing, transporting, or safekeeping, used in connection with professional gambling or maintaining a gambling premises;
     (c) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels, that are used, or intended for use, in any manner to facilitate the sale, delivery, receipt, or operation of any gambling device, or the promotion or operation of a professional gambling activity, except that:
     (i) A conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier is not subject to forfeiture under this section unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter;
     (ii) A conveyance is not subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent;
     (iii) A forfeiture of a conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission; and
     (iv) If the owner of a conveyance has been arrested under this chapter the conveyance in which the person is arrested may not be subject to forfeiture unless it is seized or process is issued for its seizure within ten days of the owner's arrest;
     (d) All books, records, and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, and electronic data that are used, or intended for use, in violation of this chapter;
     (e) All moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property of value at stake or displayed in or in connection with professional gambling activity or furnished or intended to be furnished by any person to facilitate the promotion or operation of a professional gambling activity;
     (f) All tangible or intangible personal property, proceeds, or assets acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to professional gambling activity and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this chapter. A forfeiture of money, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if, at the time the security interest was created, the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission. Personal property may not be forfeited under this subsection (1)(f), to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission that that owner establishes was committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent; and
     (g) All real property, including any right, title, and interest in the whole of any lot or tract of land, and any appurtenances or improvements that:
     (i) Have been used with the knowledge of the owner for the manufacturing, processing, delivery, importing, or exporting of any illegal gambling equipment, or operation of a professional gambling activity that would constitute a felony violation of this chapter; or
     (ii) Have been acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to a professional gambling activity, if the activity is not less than a class C felony.
     Real property forfeited under this chapter that is encumbered by a bona fide security interest remains subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party, at the time the security interest was created, neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission. Property may not be forfeited under this subsection, to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent.
     (2)(a) A law enforcement officer of this state may seize real or personal property subject to forfeiture under this chapter upon process issued by any superior court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure of real property includes the filing of a lis pendens by the seizing agency. Real property seized under this section may not be transferred or otherwise conveyed until ninety days after seizure or until a judgment of forfeiture is entered, whichever is later, but real property seized under this section may be transferred or conveyed to any person or entity who acquires title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of a bona fide security interest.
     (b) Seizure of personal property without process may be made if:
     (i) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;
     (ii) The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this chapter;
     (iii) A law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; or
     (iv) The law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter.
     (3) In the event of seizure under subsection (2) of this section, proceedings for forfeiture are deemed commenced by the seizure. The law enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall cause notice to be served within fifteen days following the seizure on the owner of the property seized and the person in charge thereof and any person having any known right or interest therein, including any community property interest, of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized property. Service of notice of seizure of real property must be made according to the rules of civil procedure. However, the state may not obtain a default judgment with respect to real property against a party who is served by substituted service absent an affidavit stating that a good faith effort has been made to ascertain if the defaulted party is incarcerated within the state, and that there is no present basis to believe that the party is incarcerated within the state. Notice of seizure in the case of property subject to a security interest that has been perfected by filing a financing statement in accordance with chapter ((62A.9)) 62A.9A RCW, or a certificate of title, must be made by service upon the secured party or the secured party's assignee at the address shown on the financing statement or the certificate of title. The notice of seizure in other cases may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule including but not limited to service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by mail is deemed complete upon mailing within the fifteen-day period following the seizure.
     (4) If no person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the item seized is deemed forfeited. The community property interest in real property of a person whose spouse or domestic partner committed a violation giving rise to seizure of the real property may not be forfeited if the person did not participate in the violation.
     (5) If any person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the person or persons must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The hearing must be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or the chief law enforcement officer's designee, except if the seizing agency is a state agency as defined in RCW 34.12.020(4), the hearing must be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or an administrative law judge appointed under chapter 34.12 RCW, except that any person asserting a claim or right may remove the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Removal of any matter involving personal property may only be accomplished according to the rules of civil procedure. The person seeking removal of the matter must serve process against the state, county, political subdivision, or municipality that operates the seizing agency, and any other party of interest, in accordance with RCW 4.28.080 or 4.92.020, within forty-five days after the person seeking removal has notified the seizing law enforcement agency of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession. The court to which the matter is to be removed must be the district court if the aggregate value of personal property is within the jurisdictional limit set forth in RCW 3.66.020. A hearing before the seizing agency and any appeal therefrom must be under Title 34 RCW. In a court hearing between two or more claimants to the article or articles involved, the prevailing party is entitled to a judgment for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. In cases involving personal property, the burden of producing evidence is upon the person claiming to be the lawful owner or the person claiming to have the lawful right to possession of the property. In cases involving property seized under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the only issues to be determined by the tribunal are whether the item seized is a gambling device, and whether the device is an antique device as defined by RCW 9.46.235. In cases involving real property, the burden of producing evidence is upon the law enforcement agency. The burden of proof that the seized real property is subject to forfeiture is upon the law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly return the article or articles to the claimant upon a final determination by the administrative law judge or court that the claimant is the present lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession thereof of items specified in subsection (1) of this section.
     (6) If property is forfeited under this chapter the seizing law enforcement agency may:
     (a) Retain it for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state release the property to the agency for training or use in enforcing this chapter;
     (b) Sell that which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public; or
     (c) Destroy any articles that may not be lawfully possessed within the state of Washington, or that have a fair market value of less than one hundred dollars.
     (7)(a) If property is forfeited, the seizing agency shall keep a record indicating the identity of the prior owner, if known, a description of the property, the disposition of the property, the value of the property at the time of seizure, and the amount of proceeds realized from disposition of the property. The net proceeds of forfeited property is the value of the forfeitable interest in the property after deducting the cost of satisfying any bona fide security interest to which the property is subject at the time of seizure, and in the case of sold property, after deducting the cost of sale, including reasonable fees or commissions paid to independent selling agents.
     (b) Each seizing agency shall retain records of forfeited property for at least seven years.
     (8) The seizing law enforcement agency shall retain forfeited property and net proceeds exclusively for the expansion and improvement of gambling-related law enforcement activity. Money retained under this section may not be used to supplant preexisting funding sources.
     (9) Gambling devices that are possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this chapter are contraband and must be seized and summarily forfeited to the state. Gambling equipment that is seized or comes into the possession of a law enforcement agency, the owners of which are unknown, are contraband and must be summarily forfeited to the state.
     (10) Upon the entry of an order of forfeiture of real property, the court shall forward a copy of the order to the assessor of the county in which the property is located. The superior court shall enter orders for the forfeiture of real property, subject to court rules. The seizing agency shall file such an order in the county auditor's records in the county in which the real property is located.
     (11)(a) A landlord may assert a claim against proceeds from the sale of assets seized and forfeited under subsection (6)(b) of this section, only if:
     (i) A law enforcement officer, while acting in his or her official capacity, directly caused damage to the complaining landlord's property while executing a search of a tenant's residence; and
     (ii) The landlord has applied any funds remaining in the tenant's deposit, to which the landlord has a right under chapter 59.18 RCW, to cover the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer before asserting a claim under this section.
     (A) Only if the funds applied under (a)(ii) of this subsection are insufficient to satisfy the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer, may the landlord seek compensation for the damage by filing a claim against the governmental entity under whose authority the law enforcement agency operates within thirty days after the search; and
     (B) Only if the governmental entity denies or fails to respond to the landlord's claim within sixty days of the date of filing, may the landlord collect damages under this subsection by filing within thirty days of denial or the expiration of the sixty-day period, whichever occurs first, a claim with the seizing law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency shall notify the landlord of the status of the claim by the end of the thirty-day period. This section does not require the claim to be paid by the end of the sixty-day or thirty-day period.
     (b) For any claim filed under (a)(ii) of this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall pay the claim unless the agency provides substantial proof that the landlord either:
     (i) Knew or consented to actions of the tenant in violation of this chapter; or
     (ii) Failed to respond to a notification of the illegal activity, provided by a law enforcement agency within seven days of receipt of notification of the illegal activity.
     (12) The landlord's claim for damages under subsection (11) of this section may not include a claim for loss of business and is limited to:
     (a) Damage to tangible property and clean-up costs;
     (b) The lesser of the cost of repair or fair market value of the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer;
     (c) The proceeds from the sale of the specific tenant's property seized and forfeited under subsection (6)(b) of this section; and
     (d) The proceeds available after the seizing law enforcement agency satisfies any bona fide security interest in the tenant's property and costs related to sale of the tenant's property as provided by subsection (7)(a) of this section.
     (13) Subsections (11) and (12) of this section do not limit any other rights a landlord may have against a tenant to collect for damages. However, if a law enforcement agency satisfies a landlord's claim under subsection (11) of this section, the rights the landlord has against the tenant for damages directly caused by a law enforcement officer under the terms of the landlord and tenant's contract are subrogated to the law enforcement agency.
     (14) Liability is not imposed by this section upon any authorized state, county, or municipal officer, including a commission special agent, in the lawful performance of his or her duties.

Sec. 630   RCW 9A.83.030 and 2001 c 168 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Proceeds traceable to or derived from specified unlawful activity or a violation of RCW 9A.83.020 are subject to seizure and forfeiture. The attorney general or county prosecuting attorney may file a civil action for the forfeiture of proceeds. Unless otherwise provided for under this section, no property rights exist in these proceeds. All right, title, and interest in the proceeds shall vest in the governmental entity of which the seizing law enforcement agency is a part upon commission of the act or omission giving rise to forfeiture under this section.
     (2) Real or personal property subject to forfeiture under this chapter may be seized by any law enforcement officer of this state upon process issued by a superior court that has jurisdiction over the property. Any agency seizing real property shall file a lis pendens concerning the property. Real property seized under this section shall not be transferred or otherwise conveyed until ninety days after seizure or until a judgment of forfeiture is entered, whichever is later. Real property seized under this section may be transferred or conveyed to any person or entity who acquires title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of a security interest. Seizure of personal property without process may be made if:
     (a) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant issued pursuant to RCW 69.50.502; or
     (b) The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this chapter.
     (3) A seizure under subsection (2) of this section commences proceedings for forfeiture. The law enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall cause notice of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized proceeds to be served within fifteen days after the seizure on the owner of the property seized and the person in charge thereof and any person who has a known right or interest therein, including a community property interest. Service of notice of seizure of real property shall be made according to the rules of civil procedure. However, the state may not obtain a default judgment with respect to real property against a party who is served by substituted service absent an affidavit stating that a good faith effort has been made to ascertain if the defaulted party is incarcerated within the state, and that there is no present basis to believe that the party is incarcerated within the state. The notice of seizure in other cases may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule including but not limited to service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by mail is complete upon mailing within the fifteen-day period after the seizure.
     (4) If no person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of the property within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the property seized shall be deemed forfeited. The community property interest in real property of a person whose spouse or domestic partner committed a violation giving rise to seizure of the real property may not be forfeited if the person did not participate in the violation.
     (5) If a person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of property within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the person or persons shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The provisions of RCW 69.50.505(((e))) (5) shall apply to any such hearing. The seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly return property to the claimant upon the direction of the administrative law judge or court.
     (6) Disposition of forfeited property shall be made in the manner provided for in RCW 69.50.505 (((h) through (j) and (n))) (8) through (10) and (14).

Sec. 631   RCW 69.50.505 and 2003 c 53 s 348 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following are subject to seizure and forfeiture and no property right exists in them:
     (a) All controlled substances which have been manufactured, distributed, dispensed, acquired, or possessed in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW, and all hazardous chemicals, as defined in RCW 64.44.010, used or intended to be used in the manufacture of controlled substances;
     (b) All raw materials, products, and equipment of any kind which are used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting any controlled substance in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW;
     (c) All property which is used, or intended for use, as a container for property described in (a) or (b) of this subsection;
     (d) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels, which are used, or intended for use, in any manner to facilitate the sale, delivery, or receipt of property described in (a) or (b) of this subsection, except that:
     (i) No conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier is subject to forfeiture under this section unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW;
     (ii) No conveyance is subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission established by the owner thereof to have been committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent;
     (iii) No conveyance is subject to forfeiture under this section if used in the receipt of only an amount of marijuana for which possession constitutes a misdemeanor under RCW 69.50.4014;
     (iv) A forfeiture of a conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission; and
     (v) When the owner of a conveyance has been arrested under this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW the conveyance in which the person is arrested may not be subject to forfeiture unless it is seized or process is issued for its seizure within ten days of the owner's arrest;
     (e) All books, records, and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, and data which are used, or intended for use, in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW;
     (f) All drug paraphernalia;
     (g) All moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a controlled substance in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW, all tangible or intangible personal property, proceeds, or assets acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to an exchange or series of exchanges in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW, and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW. A forfeiture of money, negotiable instruments, securities, or other tangible or intangible property encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if, at the time the security interest was created, the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission. No personal property may be forfeited under this subsection (1)(g), to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission which that owner establishes was committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent; and
     (h) All real property, including any right, title, and interest in the whole of any lot or tract of land, and any appurtenances or improvements which are being used with the knowledge of the owner for the manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivery, importing, or exporting of any controlled substance, or which have been acquired in whole or in part with proceeds traceable to an exchange or series of exchanges in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW, if such activity is not less than a class C felony and a substantial nexus exists between the commercial production or sale of the controlled substance and the real property. However:
     (i) No property may be forfeited pursuant to this subsection (1)(h), to the extent of the interest of an owner, by reason of any act or omission committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent;
     (ii) The bona fide gift of a controlled substance, legend drug, or imitation controlled substance shall not result in the forfeiture of real property;
     (iii) The possession of marijuana shall not result in the forfeiture of real property unless the marijuana is possessed for commercial purposes, the amount possessed is five or more plants or one pound or more of marijuana, and a substantial nexus exists between the possession of marijuana and the real property. In such a case, the intent of the offender shall be determined by the preponderance of the evidence, including the offender's prior criminal history, the amount of marijuana possessed by the offender, the sophistication of the activity or equipment used by the offender, and other evidence which demonstrates the offender's intent to engage in commercial activity;
     (iv) The unlawful sale of marijuana or a legend drug shall not result in the forfeiture of real property unless the sale was forty grams or more in the case of marijuana or one hundred dollars or more in the case of a legend drug, and a substantial nexus exists between the unlawful sale and the real property; and
     (v) A forfeiture of real property encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party if the secured party, at the time the security interest was created, neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission.
     (2) Real or personal property subject to forfeiture under this chapter may be seized by any board inspector or law enforcement officer of this state upon process issued by any superior court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure of real property shall include the filing of a lis pendens by the seizing agency. Real property seized under this section shall not be transferred or otherwise conveyed until ninety days after seizure or until a judgment of forfeiture is entered, whichever is later: PROVIDED, That real property seized under this section may be transferred or conveyed to any person or entity who acquires title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of a security interest. Seizure of personal property without process may be made if:
     (a) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;
     (b) The property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this chapter;
     (c) A board inspector or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; or
     (d) The board inspector or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter.
     (3) In the event of seizure pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, proceedings for forfeiture shall be deemed commenced by the seizure. The law enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall cause notice to be served within fifteen days following the seizure on the owner of the property seized and the person in charge thereof and any person having any known right or interest therein, including any community property interest, of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized property. Service of notice of seizure of real property shall be made according to the rules of civil procedure. However, the state may not obtain a default judgment with respect to real property against a party who is served by substituted service absent an affidavit stating that a good faith effort has been made to ascertain if the defaulted party is incarcerated within the state, and that there is no present basis to believe that the party is incarcerated within the state. Notice of seizure in the case of property subject to a security interest that has been perfected by filing a financing statement in accordance with chapter 62A.9A RCW, or a certificate of title, shall be made by service upon the secured party or the secured party's assignee at the address shown on the financing statement or the certificate of title. The notice of seizure in other cases may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule including but not limited to service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by mail shall be deemed complete upon mailing within the fifteen day period following the seizure.
     (4) If no person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1)(d), (g), or (h) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the item seized shall be deemed forfeited. The community property interest in real property of a person whose spouse or domestic partner committed a violation giving rise to seizure of the real property may not be forfeited if the person did not participate in the violation.
     (5) If any person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of items specified in subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section within forty-five days of the seizure in the case of personal property and ninety days in the case of real property, the person or persons shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or the chief law enforcement officer's designee, except where the seizing agency is a state agency as defined in RCW 34.12.020(4), the hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or an administrative law judge appointed under chapter 34.12 RCW, except that any person asserting a claim or right may remove the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Removal of any matter involving personal property may only be accomplished according to the rules of civil procedure. The person seeking removal of the matter must serve process against the state, county, political subdivision, or municipality that operates the seizing agency, and any other party of interest, in accordance with RCW 4.28.080 or 4.92.020, within forty-five days after the person seeking removal has notified the seizing law enforcement agency of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession. The court to which the matter is to be removed shall be the district court when the aggregate value of personal property is within the jurisdictional limit set forth in RCW 3.66.020. A hearing before the seizing agency and any appeal therefrom shall be under Title 34 RCW. In all cases, the burden of proof is upon the law enforcement agency to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture.
     The seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly return the article or articles to the claimant upon a determination by the administrative law judge or court that the claimant is the present lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession thereof of items specified in subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section.
     (6) In any proceeding to forfeit property under this title, where the claimant substantially prevails, the claimant is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees reasonably incurred by the claimant. In addition, in a court hearing between two or more claimants to the article or articles involved, the prevailing party is entitled to a judgment for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
     (7) When property is forfeited under this chapter the board or seizing law enforcement agency may:
     (a) Retain it for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state release such property to such agency for the exclusive use of enforcing the provisions of this chapter;
     (b) Sell that which is not required to be destroyed by law and which is not harmful to the public;
     (c) Request the appropriate sheriff or director of public safety to take custody of the property and remove it for disposition in accordance with law; or
     (d) Forward it to the drug enforcement administration for disposition.
     (8)(a) When property is forfeited, the seizing agency shall keep a record indicating the identity of the prior owner, if known, a description of the property, the disposition of the property, the value of the property at the time of seizure, and the amount of proceeds realized from disposition of the property.
     (b) Each seizing agency shall retain records of forfeited property for at least seven years.
     (c) Each seizing agency shall file a report including a copy of the records of forfeited property with the state treasurer each calendar quarter.
     (d) The quarterly report need not include a record of forfeited property that is still being held for use as evidence during the investigation or prosecution of a case or during the appeal from a conviction.
     (9)(a) By January 31st of each year, each seizing agency shall remit to the state treasurer an amount equal to ten percent of the net proceeds of any property forfeited during the preceding calendar year. Money remitted shall be deposited in the violence reduction and drug enforcement account under RCW 69.50.520.
     (b) The net proceeds of forfeited property is the value of the forfeitable interest in the property after deducting the cost of satisfying any bona fide security interest to which the property is subject at the time of seizure; and in the case of sold property, after deducting the cost of sale, including reasonable fees or commissions paid to independent selling agents, and the cost of any valid landlord's claim for damages under subsection (15) of this section.
     (c) The value of sold forfeited property is the sale price. The value of retained forfeited property is the fair market value of the property at the time of seizure, determined when possible by reference to an applicable commonly used index, such as the index used by the department of licensing for valuation of motor vehicles. A seizing agency may use, but need not use, an independent qualified appraiser to determine the value of retained property. If an appraiser is used, the value of the property appraised is net of the cost of the appraisal. The value of destroyed property and retained firearms or illegal property is zero.
     (10) Forfeited property and net proceeds not required to be paid to the state treasurer shall be retained by the seizing law enforcement agency exclusively for the expansion and improvement of controlled substances related law enforcement activity. Money retained under this section may not be used to supplant preexisting funding sources.
     (11) Controlled substances listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V that are possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this chapter are contraband and shall be seized and summarily forfeited to the state. Controlled substances listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V, which are seized or come into the possession of the board, the owners of which are unknown, are contraband and shall be summarily forfeited to the board.
     (12) Species of plants from which controlled substances in Schedules I and II may be derived which have been planted or cultivated in violation of this chapter, or of which the owners or cultivators are unknown, or which are wild growths, may be seized and summarily forfeited to the board.
     (13) The failure, upon demand by a board inspector or law enforcement officer, of the person in occupancy or in control of land or premises upon which the species of plants are growing or being stored to produce an appropriate registration or proof that he or she is the holder thereof constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plants.
     (14) Upon the entry of an order of forfeiture of real property, the court shall forward a copy of the order to the assessor of the county in which the property is located. Orders for the forfeiture of real property shall be entered by the superior court, subject to court rules. Such an order shall be filed by the seizing agency in the county auditor's records in the county in which the real property is located.
     (15) A landlord may assert a claim against proceeds from the sale of assets seized and forfeited under subsection (7)(b) of this section, only if:
     (a) A law enforcement officer, while acting in his or her official capacity, directly caused damage to the complaining landlord's property while executing a search of a tenant's residence; and
     (b) The landlord has applied any funds remaining in the tenant's deposit, to which the landlord has a right under chapter 59.18 RCW, to cover the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer prior to asserting a claim under the provisions of this section;
     (i) Only if the funds applied under (b) of this subsection are insufficient to satisfy the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer, may the landlord seek compensation for the damage by filing a claim against the governmental entity under whose authority the law enforcement agency operates within thirty days after the search;
     (ii) Only if the governmental entity denies or fails to respond to the landlord's claim within sixty days of the date of filing, may the landlord collect damages under this subsection by filing within thirty days of denial or the expiration of the sixty-day period, whichever occurs first, a claim with the seizing law enforcement agency. The seizing law enforcement agency must notify the landlord of the status of the claim by the end of the thirty-day period. Nothing in this section requires the claim to be paid by the end of the sixty-day or thirty-day period.
     (c) For any claim filed under (b) of this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall pay the claim unless the agency provides substantial proof that the landlord either:
     (i) Knew or consented to actions of the tenant in violation of this chapter or chapter 69.41 or 69.52 RCW; or
     (ii) Failed to respond to a notification of the illegal activity, provided by a law enforcement agency under RCW 59.18.075, within seven days of receipt of notification of the illegal activity.
     (16) The landlord's claim for damages under subsection (15) of this section may not include a claim for loss of business and is limited to:
     (a) Damage to tangible property and clean-up costs;
     (b) The lesser of the cost of repair or fair market value of the damage directly caused by a law enforcement officer;
     (c) The proceeds from the sale of the specific tenant's property seized and forfeited under subsection (7)(b) of this section; and
     (d) The proceeds available after the seizing law enforcement agency satisfies any bona fide security interest in the tenant's property and costs related to sale of the tenant's property as provided by subsection (9)(b) of this section.
     (17) Subsections (15) and (16) of this section do not limit any other rights a landlord may have against a tenant to collect for damages. However, if a law enforcement agency satisfies a landlord's claim under subsection (15) of this section, the rights the landlord has against the tenant for damages directly caused by a law enforcement officer under the terms of the landlord and tenant's contract are subrogated to the law enforcement agency.

Sec. 632   RCW 64.06.010 and 2007 c 107 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     This chapter does not apply to the following transfers of residential real property:
     (1) A foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure;
     (2) A gift or other transfer to a parent, spouse, domestic partner, or child of a transferor or child of any parent ((or)), spouse, or domestic partner of a transferor;
     (3) A transfer between spouses or between domestic partners in connection with a marital dissolution or dissolution of a state registered domestic partnership;
     (4) A transfer where a buyer had an ownership interest in the property within two years of the date of the transfer including, but not limited to, an ownership interest as a partner in a partnership, a limited partner in a limited partnership, a shareholder in a corporation, a leasehold interest, or transfers to and from a facilitator pursuant to a tax deferred exchange;
     (5) A transfer of an interest that is less than fee simple, except that the transfer of a vendee's interest under a real estate contract is subject to the requirements of this chapter;
     (6) A transfer made by the personal representative of the estate of the decedent or by a trustee in bankruptcy; and
     (7) A transfer in which the buyer has expressly waived the receipt of the seller disclosure statement. However, if the answer to any of the questions in the section entitled "Environmental" would be "yes," the buyer may not waive the receipt of the "Environmental" section of the seller disclosure statement.

Sec. 633   RCW 6.13.020 and 1987 c 442 s 202 are each amended to read as follows:
     If the owner is married or in a state registered domestic partnership, the homestead may consist of the community or jointly owned property of the spouses or the domestic partners or the separate property of either spouse or either domestic partner: PROVIDED, That the same premises may not be claimed separately by the ((husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners with the effect of increasing the net value of the homestead available to the marital community or state registered domestic partnership beyond the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030 as now or hereafter amended. When the owner is not married or not in a state registered domestic partnership, the homestead may consist of any of his or her property.

Sec. 634   RCW 6.13.060 and 1987 c 442 s 206 are each amended to read as follows:
     The homestead of a ((married person)) spouse or domestic partner cannot be conveyed or encumbered unless the instrument by which it is conveyed or encumbered is executed and acknowledged by both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners, except that ((a husband or a wife)) either spouse or both or either domestic partner or both jointly may make and execute powers of attorney for the conveyance or encumbrance of the homestead.

Sec. 635   RCW 6.13.080 and 2007 c 429 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The homestead exemption is not available against an execution or forced sale in satisfaction of judgments obtained:
     (1) On debts secured by mechanic's, laborer's, construction, maritime, automobile repair, materialmen's or vendor's liens arising out of and against the particular property claimed as a homestead;
     (2) On debts secured (a) by security agreements describing as collateral the property that is claimed as a homestead or (b) by mortgages or deeds of trust on the premises that have been executed and acknowledged by ((the husband and wife)) both spouses or both domestic partners or by any ((unmarried)) claimant not married or in a state registered domestic partnership;
     (3) On one spouse's or one domestic partner's or the community's debts existing at the time of that spouse's or that domestic partner's bankruptcy filing where (a) bankruptcy is filed by both spouses or both domestic partners within a six-month period, other than in a joint case or a case in which their assets are jointly administered, and (b) the other spouse or other domestic partner exempts property from property of the estate under the bankruptcy exemption provisions of 11 U.S.C. Sec. 522(d);
     (4) On debts arising from a lawful court order or decree or administrative order establishing a child support obligation or obligation to pay ((spousal)) maintenance;
     (5) On debts owing to the state of Washington for recovery of medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p;
     (6) On debts secured by a condominium's or homeowner association's lien. In order for an association to be exempt under this provision, the association must have provided a homeowner with notice that nonpayment of the association's assessment may result in foreclosure of the association lien and that the homestead protection under this chapter shall not apply. An association has complied with this notice requirement by mailing the notice, by first-class mail, to the address of the owner's lot or unit. The notice required in this subsection shall be given within thirty days from the date the association learns of a new owner, but in all cases the notice must be given prior to the initiation of a foreclosure. The phrase "learns of a new owner" in this subsection means actual knowledge of the identity of a homeowner acquiring title after June 9, 1988, and does not require that an association affirmatively ascertain the identity of a homeowner. Failure to give the notice specified in this subsection affects an association's lien only for debts accrued up to the time an association complies with the notice provisions under this subsection; or
     (7) On debts owed for taxes collected under chapters 82.08, 82.12, and 82.14 RCW but not remitted to the department of revenue.

Sec. 636   RCW 6.13.180 and 1987 c 442 s 218 are each amended to read as follows:
     The money paid to the owner is entitled to the same protection against legal process and the voluntary disposition of the ((husband or wife)) other spouse or other domestic partner which the law gives to the homestead.

Sec. 637   RCW 6.13.210 and 1987 c 442 s 221 are each amended to read as follows:
     In case of a homestead, if either ((the husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner shall be or become incompetent or disabled to such a degree that he or she is unable to assist in the management of his or her interest in the ((marital)) property of the marriage or domestic partnership and no guardian has been appointed, upon application of the other spouse or other domestic partner to the superior court of the county in which the homestead is situated, and upon due proof of such incompetency or disability in the severity required above, the court may make an order permitting the ((husband or wife)) spouse or the domestic partner applying to the court to sell and convey or mortgage such homestead.

Sec. 638   RCW 6.13.220 and 1987 c 442 s 222 are each amended to read as follows:
     Notice of the application for such order shall be given by publication of the same in a newspaper published in the county in which such homestead is situated, if there be a newspaper published therein, once each week for three successive weeks prior to the hearing of such application, and a copy of such notice shall be served upon the alleged incompetent ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner personally, and upon the nearest relative of such incompetent or disabled ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner other than the applicant, resident in this state, at least three weeks prior to such application being heard, and in case there be no such relative known to the applicant, a copy of such notice shall be served upon the prosecuting attorney of the county in which such homestead is situated; and it is hereby made the duty of such prosecuting attorney, upon being served with a copy of such notice, to appear in court and see that such application is made in good faith, and that the proceedings thereon are fairly conducted.

Sec. 639   RCW 6.13.230 and 1987 c 442 s 223 are each amended to read as follows:
     Thirty days before the hearing of any application under the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall present and file in the court in which such application is to be heard a petition for the order mentioned, subscribed and sworn to by the applicant, setting forth the name and age of the alleged incompetent or disabled ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner; a description of the premises constituting the homestead; the value of the same; the county in which it is situated; such facts necessary to show that the nonpetitioning ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner is incompetent or disabled to the degree required under RCW 6.13.210; and such additional facts relating to the circumstances and necessities of the applicant and his or her family as he or she may rely upon in support of the petition.

Sec. 640   RCW 26.16.125 and Code 1881 s 2399 are each amended to read as follows:
     Henceforth the rights and responsibilities of the parents in the absence of misconduct shall be equal, and ((the mother)) one parent shall be as fully entitled to the custody, control and earnings of the children as the ((father)) other parent, and in case of ((the father's)) one parent's death, the ((mother)) other parent shall come into ((as)) full and complete control of the children and their estate ((as the father does in case of the mother's death)).

Sec. 641   RCW 60.04.211 and 1991 c 281 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
     The claim of lien, when filed as required by this chapter, shall be notice to the ((husband or wife)) spouse or the domestic partner of the person who appears of record to be the owner of the property sought to be charged with the lien, and shall subject all the community interest of both ((husband and wife)) spouses or both domestic partners to the lien.

Sec. 701   RCW 82.45.010 and 2000 2nd sp.s. c 4 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) As used in this chapter, the term "sale" shall have its ordinary meaning and shall include any conveyance, grant, assignment, quitclaim, or transfer of the ownership of or title to real property, including standing timber, or any estate or interest therein for a valuable consideration, and any contract for such conveyance, grant, assignment, quitclaim, or transfer, and any lease with an option to purchase real property, including standing timber, or any estate or interest therein or other contract under which possession of the property is given to the purchaser, or any other person at the purchaser's direction, and title to the property is retained by the vendor as security for the payment of the purchase price. The term also includes the grant, assignment, quitclaim, sale, or transfer of improvements constructed upon leased land.
     (2) The term "sale" also includes the transfer or acquisition within any twelve-month period of a controlling interest in any entity with an interest in real property located in this state for a valuable consideration. For purposes of this subsection, all acquisitions of persons acting in concert shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether a transfer or acquisition of a controlling interest has taken place. The department of revenue shall adopt standards by rule to determine when persons are acting in concert. In adopting a rule for this purpose, the department shall consider the following:
     (a) Persons shall be treated as acting in concert when they have a relationship with each other such that one person influences or controls the actions of another through common ownership; and
     (b) When persons are not commonly owned or controlled, they shall be treated as acting in concert only when the unity with which the purchasers have negotiated and will consummate the transfer of ownership interests supports a finding that they are acting as a single entity. If the acquisitions are completely independent, with each purchaser buying without regard to the identity of the other purchasers, then the acquisitions shall be considered separate acquisitions.
     (3) The term "sale" shall not include:
     (a) A transfer by gift, devise, or inheritance.
     (b) A transfer of any leasehold interest other than of the type mentioned above.
     (c) A cancellation or forfeiture of a vendee's interest in a contract for the sale of real property, whether or not such contract contains a forfeiture clause, or deed in lieu of foreclosure of a mortgage.
     (d) The partition of property by tenants in common by agreement or as the result of a court decree.
     (e) The assignment of property or interest in property from one spouse or one domestic partner to the other spouse or other domestic partner in accordance with the terms of a decree of ((divorce)) dissolution of marriage or state registered domestic partnership or in fulfillment of a property settlement agreement.
     (f) The assignment or other transfer of a vendor's interest in a contract for the sale of real property, even though accompanied by a conveyance of the vendor's interest in the real property involved.
     (g) Transfers by appropriation or decree in condemnation proceedings brought by the United States, the state or any political subdivision thereof, or a municipal corporation.
     (h) A mortgage or other transfer of an interest in real property merely to secure a debt, or the assignment thereof.
     (i) Any transfer or conveyance made pursuant to a deed of trust or an order of sale by the court in any mortgage, deed of trust, or lien foreclosure proceeding or upon execution of a judgment, or deed in lieu of foreclosure to satisfy a mortgage or deed of trust.
     (j) A conveyance to the federal housing administration or veterans administration by an authorized mortgagee made pursuant to a contract of insurance or guaranty with the federal housing administration or veterans administration.
     (k) A transfer in compliance with the terms of any lease or contract upon which the tax as imposed by this chapter has been paid or where the lease or contract was entered into prior to the date this tax was first imposed.
     (l) The sale of any grave or lot in an established cemetery.
     (m) A sale by the United States, this state or any political subdivision thereof, or a municipal corporation of this state.
     (n) A sale to a regional transit authority or public corporation under RCW 81.112.320 under a sale/leaseback agreement under RCW 81.112.300.
     (o) A transfer of real property, however effected, if it consists of a mere change in identity or form of ownership of an entity where there is no change in the beneficial ownership. These include transfers to a corporation or partnership which is wholly owned by the transferor and/or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner or children of the transferor or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner: PROVIDED, That if thereafter such transferee corporation or partnership voluntarily transfers such real property, or such transferor, spouse or domestic partner, or children of the transferor or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner voluntarily transfer stock in the transferee corporation or interest in the transferee partnership capital, as the case may be, to other than (1) the transferor and/or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner or children of the transferor or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner, (2) a trust having the transferor and/or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner or children of the transferor or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner as the only beneficiaries at the time of the transfer to the trust, or (3) a corporation or partnership wholly owned by the original transferor and/or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner or children of the transferor or the transferor's spouse or domestic partner, within three years of the original transfer to which this exemption applies, and the tax on the subsequent transfer has not been paid within sixty days of becoming due, excise taxes shall become due and payable on the original transfer as otherwise provided by law.
     (p)(i) A transfer that for federal income tax purposes does not involve the recognition of gain or loss for entity formation, liquidation or dissolution, and reorganization, including but not limited to nonrecognition of gain or loss because of application of section 332, 337, 351, 368(a)(1), 721, or 731 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     (ii) However, the transfer described in (p)(i) of this subsection cannot be preceded or followed within a twelve-month period by another transfer or series of transfers, that, when combined with the otherwise exempt transfer or transfers described in (p)(i) of this subsection, results in the transfer of a controlling interest in the entity for valuable consideration, and in which one or more persons previously holding a controlling interest in the entity receive cash or property in exchange for any interest the person or persons acting in concert hold in the entity. This subsection (3)(p)(ii) does not apply to that part of the transfer involving property received that is the real property interest that the person or persons originally contributed to the entity or when one or more persons who did not contribute real property or belong to the entity at a time when real property was purchased receive cash or personal property in exchange for that person or persons' interest in the entity. The real estate excise tax under this subsection (3)(p)(ii) is imposed upon the person or persons who previously held a controlling interest in the entity.

Sec. 702   RCW 84.38.030 and 2006 c 62 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     A claimant may defer payment of special assessments and/or real property taxes on up to eighty percent of the amount of the claimant's equity value in the claimant's residence if the following conditions are met:
     (1) The claimant must meet all requirements for an exemption for the residence under RCW 84.36.381, other than the age and income limits under RCW 84.36.381.
     (2) The claimant must be sixty years of age or older on December 31st of the year in which the deferral claim is filed, or must have been, at the time of filing, retired from regular gainful employment by reason of physical disability: PROVIDED, That any surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a person who was receiving a deferral at the time of the person's death shall qualify if the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is fifty-seven years of age or older and otherwise meets the requirements of this section.
     (3) The claimant must have a combined disposable income, as defined in RCW 84.36.383, of forty thousand dollars or less.
     (4) The claimant must have owned, at the time of filing, the residence on which the special assessment and/or real property taxes have been imposed. For purposes of this subsection, a residence owned by a marital community, owned by domestic partners, or owned by cotenants shall be deemed to be owned by each spouse, each domestic partner, or each cotenant. A claimant who has only a share ownership in cooperative housing, a life estate, a lease for life, or a revocable trust does not satisfy the ownership requirement.
     (5) The claimant must have and keep in force fire and casualty insurance in sufficient amount to protect the interest of the state in the claimant's equity value: PROVIDED, That if the claimant fails to keep fire and casualty insurance in force to the extent of the state's interest in the claimant's equity value, the amount deferred shall not exceed one hundred percent of the claimant's equity value in the land or lot only.
     (6) In the case of special assessment deferral, the claimant must have opted for payment of such special assessments on the installment method if such method was available.

Sec. 703   RCW 84.38.070 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 291 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:
     If the claimant declaring his or her intention to defer special assessments or real property tax obligations under this chapter ceases to reside permanently on the property for which the declaration to defer is made between the date of filing the declaration and December 15th of that year, the deferral otherwise allowable under this chapter shall not be allowed on such tax roll. However, this section shall not apply where the claimant dies, leaving a spouse or domestic partner surviving, who is also eligible for deferral of special assessment and/or property taxes.

Sec. 704   RCW 84.38.130 and 1984 c 220 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:
     Special assessments and/or real property tax obligations deferred under this chapter shall become payable together with interest as provided in RCW 84.38.100:
     (1) Upon the sale of property which has a deferred special assessment and/or real property tax lien upon it.
     (2) Upon the death of the claimant with an outstanding deferred special assessment and/or real property tax lien except a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner who is qualified under this chapter may elect to incur the special assessment and/or real property tax lien which shall then be payable by that spouse or that domestic partner as provided in this section.
     (3) Upon the condemnation of property with a deferred special assessment and/or real property tax lien upon it by a public or private body exercising eminent domain power, except as otherwise provided in RCW 84.60.070.
     (4) At such time as the claimant ceases to reside permanently in the residence upon which the deferral has been granted.
     (5) Upon the failure of any condition set forth in RCW 84.38.030.

Sec. 705   RCW 84.38.150 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 291 s 40 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of the claimant may elect to continue the property in its deferred tax status if the property is the residence of the spouse or domestic partner of the claimant and the spouse or domestic partner meets the requirements of this chapter.
     (2) The election under this section to continue the property in its deferred status by the spouse or the domestic partner of the claimant shall be filed in the same manner as an original claim for deferral is filed under this chapter, not later than ninety days from the date of the claimant's death. Thereupon, the property with respect to which the deferral of special assessments and/or real property taxes is claimed shall continue to be treated as deferred property. When the property has been continued in its deferred status by the filing of the spouse or the domestic partner of the claimant of an election under this section, the spouse or the domestic partner of the claimant may continue the property in its deferred status in subsequent years by filing a claim under this chapter so long as the spouse or the domestic partner meets the qualifications set out in this section.

Sec. 706   RCW 84.36.381 and 2005 c 248 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     A person shall be exempt from any legal obligation to pay all or a portion of the amount of excess and regular real property taxes due and payable in the year following the year in which a claim is filed, and thereafter, in accordance with the following:
     (1) The property taxes must have been imposed upon a residence which was occupied by the person claiming the exemption as a principal place of residence as of the time of filing: PROVIDED, That any person who sells, transfers, or is displaced from his or her residence may transfer his or her exemption status to a replacement residence, but no claimant shall receive an exemption on more than one residence in any year: PROVIDED FURTHER, That confinement of the person to a hospital, nursing home, boarding home, or adult family home shall not disqualify the claim of exemption if:
     (a) The residence is temporarily unoccupied;
     (b) The residence is occupied by a spouse or a domestic partner and/or a person financially dependent on the claimant for support; or
     (c) The residence is rented for the purpose of paying nursing home, hospital, boarding home, or adult family home costs;
     (2) The person claiming the exemption must have owned, at the time of filing, in fee, as a life estate, or by contract purchase, the residence on which the property taxes have been imposed or if the person claiming the exemption lives in a cooperative housing association, corporation, or partnership, such person must own a share therein representing the unit or portion of the structure in which he or she resides. For purposes of this subsection, a residence owned by a marital community or state registered domestic partnership or owned by cotenants shall be deemed to be owned by each spouse or each domestic partner or each cotenant, and any lease for life shall be deemed a life estate;
     (3) The person claiming the exemption must be (a) sixty-one years of age or older on December 31st of the year in which the exemption claim is filed, or must have been, at the time of filing, retired from regular gainful employment by reason of disability, or (b) a veteran of the armed forces of the United States with one hundred percent service-connected disability as provided in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 423 (d)(1)(A) as amended prior to January 1, 2005. However, any surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a person who was receiving an exemption at the time of the person's death shall qualify if the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is fifty-seven years of age or older and otherwise meets the requirements of this section;
     (4) The amount that the person shall be exempt from an obligation to pay shall be calculated on the basis of combined disposable income, as defined in RCW 84.36.383. If the person claiming the exemption was retired for two months or more of the assessment year, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person during the months such person was retired by twelve. If the income of the person claiming exemption is reduced for two or more months of the assessment year by reason of the death of the person's spouse or the person's domestic partner, or when other substantial changes occur in disposable income that are likely to continue for an indefinite period of time, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person after such occurrences by twelve. If it is necessary to estimate income to comply with this subsection, the assessor may require confirming documentation of such income prior to May 31 of the year following application;
     (5)(a) A person who otherwise qualifies under this section and has a combined disposable income of thirty-five thousand dollars or less shall be exempt from all excess property taxes; and
     (b)(i) A person who otherwise qualifies under this section and has a combined disposable income of thirty thousand dollars or less but greater than twenty-five thousand dollars shall be exempt from all regular property taxes on the greater of fifty thousand dollars or thirty-five percent of the valuation of his or her residence, but not to exceed seventy thousand dollars of the valuation of his or her residence; or
     (ii) A person who otherwise qualifies under this section and has a combined disposable income of twenty-five thousand dollars or less shall be exempt from all regular property taxes on the greater of sixty thousand dollars or sixty percent of the valuation of his or her residence;
     (6) For a person who otherwise qualifies under this section and has a combined disposable income of thirty-five thousand dollars or less, the valuation of the residence shall be the assessed value of the residence on the later of January 1, 1995, or January 1st of the assessment year the person first qualifies under this section. If the person subsequently fails to qualify under this section only for one year because of high income, this same valuation shall be used upon requalification. If the person fails to qualify for more than one year in succession because of high income or fails to qualify for any other reason, the valuation upon requalification shall be the assessed value on January 1st of the assessment year in which the person requalifies. If the person transfers the exemption under this section to a different residence, the valuation of the different residence shall be the assessed value of the different residence on January 1st of the assessment year in which the person transfers the exemption.
     In no event may the valuation under this subsection be greater than the true and fair value of the residence on January 1st of the assessment year.
     This subsection does not apply to subsequent improvements to the property in the year in which the improvements are made. Subsequent improvements to the property shall be added to the value otherwise determined under this subsection at their true and fair value in the year in which they are made.

Sec. 707   RCW 84.36.041 and 2001 c 187 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All real and personal property used by a nonprofit home for the aging that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home is exempt from taxation if the benefit of the exemption inures to the home and:
     (a) At least fifty percent of the occupied dwelling units in the home are occupied by eligible residents; or
     (b) The home is subsidized under a federal department of housing and urban development program. The department of revenue shall provide by rule a definition of homes eligible for exemption under this subsection (1)(b), consistent with the purposes of this section.
     (2) All real and personal property used by a nonprofit home for the aging that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home is exempt from taxation if the benefit of the exemption inures to the home and the construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, or refinancing of the home is financed under a program using bonds exempt from federal income tax if at least seventy-five percent of the total amount financed uses the tax exempt bonds and the financing program requires the home to reserve a percentage of all dwelling units so financed for low-income residents. The initial term of the exemption under this subsection shall equal the term of the tax exempt bond used in connection with the financing program, or the term of the requirement to reserve dwelling units for low-income residents, whichever is shorter. If the financing program involves less than the entire home, only those dwelling units included in the financing program are eligible for total exemption. The department of revenue shall provide by rule the requirements for monitoring compliance with the provisions of this subsection and the requirements for exemption including:
     (a) The number or percentage of dwelling units required to be occupied by low-income residents, and a definition of low income;
     (b) The type and character of the dwelling units, whether independent units or otherwise; and
     (c) Any particular requirements for continuing care retirement communities.
     (3) A home for the aging is eligible for a partial exemption on the real property and a total exemption for the home's personal property if the home does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section because fewer than fifty percent of the occupied dwelling units are occupied by eligible residents, as follows:
     (a) A partial exemption shall be allowed for each dwelling unit in a home occupied by a resident requiring assistance with activities of daily living.
     (b) A partial exemption shall be allowed for each dwelling unit in a home occupied by an eligible resident.
     (c) A partial exemption shall be allowed for an area jointly used by a home for the aging and by a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation currently exempt from property taxation under one of the other provisions of this chapter. The shared area must be reasonably necessary for the purposes of the nonprofit organization, association, or corporation exempt from property taxation under one of the other provisions of this chapter, such as kitchen, dining, and laundry areas.
     (d) The amount of exemption shall be calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property reasonably necessary for the purposes of the home, less the assessed value of any area exempt under (c) of this subsection, by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the number of dwelling units occupied by eligible residents and by residents requiring assistance with activities of daily living. The denominator of the fraction is the total number of occupied dwelling units as of December 31st of the first assessment year the home becomes operational for which exemption is claimed and January 1st of each subsequent assessment year for which exemption is claimed.
     (4) To be exempt under this section, the property must be used exclusively for the purposes for which the exemption is granted, except as provided in RCW 84.36.805.
     (5) A home for the aging is exempt from taxation only if the organization operating the home is exempt from income tax under section 501(c) of the federal internal revenue code as existing on January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purposes of this section.
     (6) In order for the home to be eligible for exemption under subsections (1)(a) and (3)(b) of this section, each eligible resident of a home for the aging shall submit an income verification form to the county assessor by July 1st of the assessment year for which exemption is claimed. However, during the first year a home becomes operational, the county assessor shall accept income verification forms from eligible residents up to December 31st of the assessment year. The income verification form shall be prescribed and furnished by the department of revenue. An eligible resident who has filed a form for a previous year need not file a new form until there is a change in status affecting the person's eligibility.
     (7) In determining the true and fair value of a home for the aging for purposes of the partial exemption provided by subsection (3) of this section, the assessor shall apply the computation method provided by RCW 84.34.060 and shall consider only the use to which such property is applied during the years for which such partial exemptions are available and shall not consider potential uses of such property.
     (8) As used in this section:
     (a) "Eligible resident" means a person who:
     (i) Occupied the dwelling unit as a principal place of residence as of December 31st of the first assessment year the home becomes operational. In each subsequent year, the eligible resident must occupy the dwelling unit as a principal place of residence as of January 1st of the assessment year for which the exemption is claimed. Confinement of the person to a hospital or nursing home does not disqualify the claim of exemption if the dwelling unit is temporarily unoccupied or if the dwelling unit is occupied by a spouse or a domestic partner, a person financially dependent on the claimant for support, or both; and
     (ii) Is sixty-one years of age or older on December 31st of the year in which the exemption claim is filed, or is, at the time of filing, retired from regular gainful employment by reason of physical disability. Any surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a person who was receiving an exemption at the time of the person's death shall qualify if the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is fifty-seven years of age or older and otherwise meets the requirements of this subsection; and
     (iii) Has a combined disposable income of no more than the greater of twenty-two thousand dollars or eighty percent of the median income adjusted for family size as most recently determined by the federal department of housing and urban development for the county in which the person resides. For the purposes of determining eligibility under this section, a "cotenant" means a person who resides with an eligible resident and who shares personal financial resources with the eligible resident.
     (b) "Combined disposable income" means the disposable income of the person submitting the income verification form, plus the disposable income of his or her spouse or domestic partner, and the disposable income of each cotenant occupying the dwelling unit for the preceding calendar year, less amounts paid by the person submitting the income verification form or his or her spouse or domestic partner or cotenant during the previous year for the treatment or care of either person received in the dwelling unit or in a nursing home. If the person submitting the income verification form was retired for two months or more of the preceding year, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person during the months such person was retired by twelve. If the income of the person submitting the income verification form is reduced for two or more months of the preceding year by reason of the death of the person's spouse or domestic partner, the combined disposable income of such person shall be calculated by multiplying the average monthly combined disposable income of such person after the death of the spouse or domestic partner by twelve.
     (c) "Disposable income" means adjusted gross income as defined in the federal internal revenue code, as amended prior to January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purpose of this section, plus all of the following items to the extent they are not included in or have been deducted from adjusted gross income:
     (i) Capital gains, other than gain excluded from income under section 121 of the federal internal revenue code to the extent it is reinvested in a new principal residence;
     (ii) Amounts deducted for loss;
     (iii) Amounts deducted for depreciation;
     (iv) Pension and annuity receipts;
     (v) Military pay and benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;
     (vi) Veterans benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;
     (vii) Federal social security act and railroad retirement benefits;
     (viii) Dividend receipts; and
     (ix) Interest received on state and municipal bonds.
     (d) "Resident requiring assistance with activities of daily living" means a person who requires significant assistance with the activities of daily living and who would be at risk of nursing home placement without this assistance.
     (e) "Home for the aging" means a residential housing facility that (i) provides a housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by the resident, the resident's guardian or conservator, or another responsible person; (ii) has only residents who are at least sixty-one years of age or who have needs for care generally compatible with persons who are at least sixty-one years of age; and (iii) provides varying levels of care and supervision, as agreed to at the time of admission or as determined necessary at subsequent times of reappraisal.
     (9) A for-profit home for the aging that converts to nonprofit status after June 11, 1992, and would otherwise be eligible for tax exemption under this section may not receive the tax exemption until five years have elapsed since the conversion. The exemption shall then be ratably granted over the next five years.

Sec. 708   RCW 84.36.120 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 120 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of RCW 84.36.110 "head of a family" shall be construed to include a surviving spouse ((not)) or surviving domestic partner who has neither remarried nor entered into a subsequent domestic partnership, any person receiving an old age pension under the laws of this state and any citizen of the United States, over the age of sixty-five years, who has resided in the state of Washington continuously for ten years.
     "Personal effects" shall be construed to mean and include such tangible property as usually and ordinarily attends the person such as wearing apparel, jewelry, toilet articles and the like.
     "Private motor vehicle" shall be construed to mean and include all motor vehicles used for the convenience or pleasure of the owner and carrying a licensing classification other than motor vehicle for hire, auto stage, auto stage trailer, motor truck, motor truck trailer or dealers' licenses.
     "Mobile home" shall be construed to mean and include all trailers of the type designed as facilities for human habitation and which are capable of being moved upon the public streets and highways and which are more than thirty-five feet in length or more than eight feet in width.

Sec. 709   RCW 84.36.383 and 2006 c 62 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.389, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
     (1) The term "residence" means a single family dwelling unit whether such unit be separate or part of a multiunit dwelling, including the land on which such dwelling stands not to exceed one acre, except that a residence includes any additional property up to a total of five acres that comprises the residential parcel if this larger parcel size is required under land use regulations. The term shall also include a share ownership in a cooperative housing association, corporation, or partnership if the person claiming exemption can establish that his or her share represents the specific unit or portion of such structure in which he or she resides. The term shall also include a single family dwelling situated upon lands the fee of which is vested in the United States or any instrumentality thereof including an Indian tribe or in the state of Washington, and notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 84.04.080 and 84.04.090, such a residence shall be deemed real property.
     (2) The term "real property" shall also include a mobile home which has substantially lost its identity as a mobile unit by virtue of its being fixed in location upon land owned or leased by the owner of the mobile home and placed on a foundation (posts or blocks) with fixed pipe, connections with sewer, water, or other utilities. A mobile home located on land leased by the owner of the mobile home is subject, for tax billing, payment, and collection purposes, only to the personal property provisions of chapter 84.56 RCW and RCW 84.60.040.
     (3) "Department" means the state department of revenue.
     (4) "Combined disposable income" means the disposable income of the person claiming the exemption, plus the disposable income of his or her spouse or domestic partner, and the disposable income of each cotenant occupying the residence for the assessment year, less amounts paid by the person claiming the exemption or his or her spouse or domestic partner during the assessment year for:
     (a) Drugs supplied by prescription of a medical practitioner authorized by the laws of this state or another jurisdiction to issue prescriptions;
     (b) The treatment or care of either person received in the home or in a nursing home, boarding home, or adult family home; and
     (c) Health care insurance premiums for medicare under Title XVIII of the social security act.
     (5) "Disposable income" means adjusted gross income as defined in the federal internal revenue code, as amended prior to January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purpose of this section, plus all of the following items to the extent they are not included in or have been deducted from adjusted gross income:
     (a) Capital gains, other than gain excluded from income under section 121 of the federal internal revenue code to the extent it is reinvested in a new principal residence;
     (b) Amounts deducted for loss;
     (c) Amounts deducted for depreciation;
     (d) Pension and annuity receipts;
     (e) Military pay and benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;
     (f) Veterans benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;
     (g) Federal social security act and railroad retirement benefits;
     (h) Dividend receipts; and
     (i) Interest received on state and municipal bonds.
     (6) "Cotenant" means a person who resides with the person claiming the exemption and who has an ownership interest in the residence.
     (7) "Disability" has the same meaning as provided in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 423(d)(1)(A) as amended prior to January 1, 2004, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule consistent with the purpose of this section.

Sec. 710   RCW 84.37.080 and 2007 sp.s. c 2 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     Special assessments or real property tax obligations, or both, deferred under this chapter shall become payable together with interest as provided in RCW 84.37.070:
     (1) Upon the sale of property which has a deferred special assessment lien or real property tax lien, or both, upon it;
     (2) Upon the death of the claimant with an outstanding deferred special assessment lien or real property tax lien, or both, except a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner who is qualified under this chapter may elect to incur the special assessment lien or real property tax lien, or both, which shall then be payable by that spouse or that domestic partner as provided in this section;
     (3) Upon the condemnation of property with a deferred special assessment lien or real property tax lien, or both, upon it by a public or private body exercising eminent domain power, except as otherwise provided in RCW 84.60.070; or
     (4) At such time as the claimant ceases to reside permanently in the residence upon which the deferral has been granted.

Sec. 801   RCW 7.36.020 and 1977 ex.s. c 80 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     Writs of habeas corpus shall be granted in favor of parents, guardians, limited guardians where appropriate, spouses or domestic partners, and next of kin, and to enforce the rights, and for the protection of infants and incompetent or disabled persons within the meaning of RCW 11.88.010; and the proceedings shall in all cases conform to the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 802   RCW 11.88.010 and 2005 c 236 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The superior court of each county shall have power to appoint guardians for the persons and/or estates of incapacitated persons, and guardians for the estates of nonresidents of the state who have property in the county needing care and attention.
     (a) For purposes of this chapter, a person may be deemed incapacitated as to person when the superior court determines the individual has a significant risk of personal harm based upon a demonstrated inability to adequately provide for nutrition, health, housing, or physical safety.
     (b) For purposes of this chapter, a person may be deemed incapacitated as to the person's estate when the superior court determines the individual is at significant risk of financial harm based upon a demonstrated inability to adequately manage property or financial affairs.
     (c) A determination of incapacity is a legal not a medical decision, based upon a demonstration of management insufficiencies over time in the area of person or estate. Age, eccentricity, poverty, or medical diagnosis alone shall not be sufficient to justify a finding of incapacity.
     (d) A person may also be determined incapacitated if he or she is under the age of majority as defined in RCW 26.28.010.
     (e) For purposes of giving informed consent for health care pursuant to RCW 7.70.050 and 7.70.065, an "incompetent" person is any person who is (i) incompetent by reason of mental illness, developmental disability, senility, habitual drunkenness, excessive use of drugs, or other mental incapacity, of either managing his or her property or caring for himself or herself, or both, or (ii) incapacitated as defined in (a), (b), or (d) of this subsection.
     (f) For purposes of the terms "incompetent," "disabled," or "not legally competent," as those terms are used in the Revised Code of Washington to apply to persons incapacitated under this chapter, those terms shall be interpreted to mean "incapacitated" persons for purposes of this chapter.
     (2) The superior court for each county shall have power to appoint limited guardians for the persons and estates, or either thereof, of incapacitated persons, who by reason of their incapacity have need for protection and assistance, but who are capable of managing some of their personal and financial affairs. After considering all evidence presented as a result of such investigation, the court shall impose, by order, only such specific limitations and restrictions on an incapacitated person to be placed under a limited guardianship as the court finds necessary for such person's protection and assistance. A person shall not be presumed to be incapacitated nor shall a person lose any legal rights or suffer any legal disabilities as the result of being placed under a limited guardianship, except as to those rights and disabilities specifically set forth in the court order establishing such a limited guardianship. In addition, the court order shall state the period of time for which it shall be applicable.
     (3) Venue for petitions for guardianship or limited guardianship shall lie in the county wherein the alleged incapacitated person is domiciled, or if such person resides in a facility supported in whole or in part by local, state, or federal funding sources, in either the county where the facility is located, the county of domicile prior to residence in the supported facility, or the county where a parent or spouse or domestic partner of the alleged incapacitated person is domiciled.
     If the alleged incapacitated person's residency has changed within one year of the filing of the petition, any interested person may move for a change of venue for any proceedings seeking the appointment of a guardian or a limited guardian under this chapter to the county of the alleged incapacitated person's last place of residence of one year or more. The motion shall be granted when it appears to the court that such venue would be in the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person and would promote more complete consideration of all relevant matters.
     (4) Under RCW 11.94.010, a principal may nominate, by a durable power of attorney, the guardian or limited guardian of his or her estate or person for consideration by the court if guardianship proceedings for the principal's person or estate are thereafter commenced. The court shall make its appointment in accordance with the principal's most recent nomination in a durable power of attorney except for good cause or disqualification.
     (5) Imposition of a guardianship for an incapacitated person shall not result in the loss of the right to vote unless the court determines that the person is incompetent for purposes of rationally exercising the franchise in that the individual lacks the capacity to understand the nature and effect of voting such that she or he cannot make an individual choice. The court order establishing guardianship shall specify whether or not the individual retains voting rights. When a court determines that the person is incompetent for the purpose of rationally exercising the right to vote, the court shall notify the appropriate county auditor.

Sec. 803   RCW 11.88.040 and 1995 c 297 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be served personally upon the alleged incapacitated person, if over fourteen years of age, and served upon the guardian ad litem.
     Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be given by registered or certified mail to the last known address requesting a return receipt signed by the addressee or an agent appointed by the addressee, or by personal service in the manner provided for services of summons, to the following:
     (1) The alleged incapacitated person, or minor, if under fourteen years of age;
     (2) A parent, if the alleged incapacitated person is a minor, all known children not residing with a notified person, and the spouse or domestic partner of the alleged incapacitated person if any;
     (3) Any other person who has been appointed as guardian or limited guardian, or the person with whom the alleged incapacitated person resides. No notice need be given to those persons named in subsections (2) and (3) of this section if they have signed the petition for the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian or have waived notice of the hearing.
     (4) If the petition is by a parent asking for appointment as guardian or limited guardian of a minor child under the age of fourteen years, or if the petition is accompanied by the written consent of a minor of the age of fourteen years or upward, who consents to the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian asked for, or if the petition is by a nonresident guardian of any minor or incapacitated person, then the court may appoint the guardian without notice of the hearing. The court for good cause may reduce the number of days of notice, but in every case, at least three days notice shall be given.
     The alleged incapacitated person shall be present in court at the final hearing on the petition: PROVIDED, That this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the court for good cause other than mere inconvenience shown in the report to be provided by the guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 11.88.090 as now or hereafter amended, or if no guardian ad litem is required to be appointed pursuant to RCW 11.88.090, as now or hereafter amended, at the discretion of the court for good cause shown by a party. Alternatively, the court may remove itself to the place of residence of the alleged incapacitated person and conduct the final hearing in the presence of the alleged incapacitated person. Final hearings on the petition may be held in closed court without admittance of any person other than those necessary to the action or proceeding.
     If presence of the alleged incapacitated person is waived and the court does not remove itself to the place of residence of such person, the guardian ad litem shall appear in person at the final hearing on the petition.

Sec. 804   RCW 11.88.090 and 2000 c 124 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Nothing contained in RCW 11.88.080 through 11.88.120, 11.92.010 through 11.92.040, 11.92.060 through 11.92.120, 11.92.170, and 11.92.180 shall affect or impair the power of any court to appoint a guardian ad litem to defend the interests of any incapacitated person interested in any suit or matter pending therein, or to commence and prosecute any suit in his or her behalf.
     (2) Prior to the appointment of a guardian or a limited guardian, whenever it appears that the incapacitated person or incapacitated person's estate could benefit from mediation and such mediation would likely result in overall reduced costs to the estate, upon the motion of the alleged incapacitated person or the guardian ad litem, or subsequent to such appointment, whenever it appears that the incapacitated person or incapacitated person's estate could benefit from mediation and such mediation would likely result in overall reduced costs to the estate, upon the motion of any interested person, the court may:
     (a) Require any party or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the court to participate in mediation;
     (b) Establish the terms of the mediation; and
     (c) Allocate the cost of the mediation pursuant to RCW 11.96.140.
     (3) Upon receipt of a petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian, except as provided herein, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person, who shall be a person found or known by the court to:
     (a) Be free of influence from anyone interested in the result of the proceeding; and
     (b) Have the requisite knowledge, training, or expertise to perform the duties required by this section.
     The guardian ad litem shall within five days of receipt of notice of appointment file with the court and serve, either personally or by certified mail with return receipt, each party with a statement including: His or her training relating to the duties as a guardian ad litem; his or her criminal history as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 for the period covering ten years prior to the appointment; his or her hourly rate, if compensated; whether the guardian ad litem has had any contact with a party to the proceeding prior to his or her appointment; and whether he or she has an apparent conflict of interest. Within three days of the later of the actual service or filing of the guardian ad litem's statement, any party may set a hearing and file and serve a motion for an order to show cause why the guardian ad litem should not be removed for one of the following three reasons: (i) Lack of expertise necessary for the proceeding; (ii) an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding; or (iii) a conflict of interest. Notice of the hearing shall be provided to the guardian ad litem and all parties. If, after a hearing, the court enters an order replacing the guardian ad litem, findings shall be included, expressly stating the reasons for the removal. If the guardian ad litem is not removed, the court has the authority to assess to the moving party, attorneys' fees and costs related to the motion. The court shall assess attorneys' fees and costs for frivolous motions.
     No guardian ad litem need be appointed when a parent is petitioning for a guardian or a limited guardian to be appointed for his or her minor child and the minority of the child, as defined by RCW 11.92.010, is the sole basis of the petition. The order appointing the guardian ad litem shall recite the duties set forth in subsection (5) of this section. The appointment of a guardian ad litem shall have no effect on the legal competency of the alleged incapacitated person and shall not overcome the presumption of competency or full legal and civil rights of the alleged incapacitated person.
     (4)(a) The superior court of each county shall develop and maintain a registry of persons who are willing and qualified to serve as guardians ad litem in guardianship matters. The court shall choose as guardian ad litem a person whose name appears on the registry in a system of consistent rotation, except in extraordinary circumstances such as the need for particular expertise. The court shall develop procedures for periodic review of the persons on the registry and for probation, suspension, or removal of persons on the registry for failure to perform properly their duties as guardian ad litem. In the event the court does not select the person next on the list, it shall include in the order of appointment a written reason for its decision.
     (b) To be eligible for the registry a person shall:
     (i) Present a written statement outlining his or her background and qualifications. The background statement shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:
     (A) Level of formal education;
     (B) Training related to the guardian ad litem's duties;
     (C) Number of years' experience as a guardian ad litem;
     (D) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and the county or counties of appointment;
     (E) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030; and
     (F) Evidence of the person's knowledge, training, and experience in each of the following: Needs of impaired elderly people, physical disabilities, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and other areas relevant to the needs of incapacitated persons, legal procedure, and the requirements of chapters 11.88 and 11.92 RCW.
     The written statement of qualifications shall include the names of any counties in which the person was removed from a guardian ad litem registry pursuant to a grievance action, and the name of the court and the cause number of any case in which the court has removed the person for cause; and
     (ii) Complete the training as described in (e) of this subsection. The training is not applicable to guardians ad litem appointed pursuant to special proceeding Rule 98.16W.
     (c) Superior court shall remove any person from the guardian ad litem registry who misrepresents his or her qualifications pursuant to a grievance procedure established by the court.
     (d) The background and qualification information shall be updated annually.
     (e) The department of social and health services shall convene an advisory group to develop a model guardian ad litem training program and shall update the program biennially. The advisory group shall consist of representatives from consumer, advocacy, and professional groups knowledgeable in developmental disabilities, neurological impairment, physical disabilities, mental illness, domestic violence, aging, legal, court administration, the Washington state bar association, and other interested parties.
     (f) The superior court shall require utilization of the model program developed by the advisory group as described in (e) of this subsection, to assure that candidates applying for registration as a qualified guardian ad litem shall have satisfactorily completed training to attain these essential minimum qualifications to act as guardian ad litem.
     (5) The guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this section shall have the following duties:
     (a) To meet and consult with the alleged incapacitated person as soon as practicable following appointment and explain, in language which such person can reasonably be expected to understand, the substance of the petition, the nature of the resultant proceedings, the person's right to contest the petition, the identification of the proposed guardian or limited guardian, the right to a jury trial on the issue of his or her alleged incapacity, the right to independent legal counsel as provided by RCW 11.88.045, and the right to be present in court at the hearing on the petition;
     (b) To obtain a written report according to RCW 11.88.045; and such other written or oral reports from other qualified professionals as are necessary to permit the guardian ad litem to complete the report required by this section;
     (c) To meet with the person whose appointment is sought as guardian or limited guardian and ascertain:
     (i) The proposed guardian's knowledge of the duties, requirements, and limitations of a guardian; and
     (ii) The steps the proposed guardian intends to take or has taken to identify and meet the needs of the alleged incapacitated person;
     (d) To consult as necessary to complete the investigation and report required by this section with those known relatives, friends, or other persons the guardian ad litem determines have had a significant, continuing interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person;
     (e) To investigate alternate arrangements made, or which might be created, by or on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, or blocked accounts; whether good cause exists for any such arrangements to be discontinued; and why such arrangements should not be continued or created in lieu of a guardianship;
     (f) To provide the court with a written report which shall include the following:
     (i) A description of the nature, cause, and degree of incapacity, and the basis upon which this judgment was made;
     (ii) A description of the needs of the incapacitated person for care and treatment, the probable residential requirements of the alleged incapacitated person and the basis upon which these findings were made;
     (iii) An evaluation of the appropriateness of the guardian or limited guardian whose appointment is sought and a description of the steps the proposed guardian has taken or intends to take to identify and meet current and emerging needs of the incapacitated person;
     (iv) A description of any alternative arrangements previously made by the alleged incapacitated person or which could be made, and whether and to what extent such alternatives should be used in lieu of a guardianship, and if the guardian ad litem is recommending discontinuation of any such arrangements, specific findings as to why such arrangements are contrary to the best interest of the alleged incapacitated person;
     (v) A description of the abilities of the alleged incapacitated person and a recommendation as to whether a guardian or limited guardian should be appointed. If appointment of a limited guardian is recommended, the guardian ad litem shall recommend the specific areas of authority the limited guardian should have and the limitations and disabilities to be placed on the incapacitated person;
     (vi) An evaluation of the person's mental ability to rationally exercise the right to vote and the basis upon which the evaluation is made;
     (vii) Any expression of approval or disapproval made by the alleged incapacitated person concerning the proposed guardian or limited guardian or guardianship or limited guardianship;
     (viii) Identification of persons with significant interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person who should be advised of their right to request special notice of proceedings pursuant to RCW 11.92.150; and
     (ix) Unless independent counsel has appeared for the alleged incapacitated person, an explanation of how the alleged incapacitated person responded to the advice of the right to jury trial, to independent counsel and to be present at the hearing on the petition.
     Within forty-five days after notice of commencement of the guardianship proceeding has been served upon the guardian ad litem, and at least fifteen days before the hearing on the petition, unless an extension or reduction of time has been granted by the court for good cause, the guardian ad litem shall file its report and send a copy to the alleged incapacitated person and his or her counsel, spouse or domestic partner, all children not residing with a notified person, those persons described in (f)(viii) of this subsection, and persons who have filed a request for special notice pursuant to RCW 11.92.150. If the guardian ad litem needs additional time to finalize his or her report, then the guardian ad litem shall petition the court for a postponement of the hearing or, with the consent of all other parties, an extension or reduction of time for filing the report. If the hearing does not occur within sixty days of filing the petition, then upon the two-month anniversary of filing the petition and on or before the same day of each following month until the hearing, the guardian ad litem shall file interim reports summarizing his or her activities on the proceeding during that time period as well as fees and costs incurred;
     (g) To advise the court of the need for appointment of counsel for the alleged incapacitated person within five court days after the meeting described in (a) of this subsection unless (i) counsel has appeared, (ii) the alleged incapacitated person affirmatively communicated a wish not to be represented by counsel after being advised of the right to representation and of the conditions under which court-provided counsel may be available, or (iii) the alleged incapacitated person was unable to communicate at all on the subject, and the guardian ad litem is satisfied that the alleged incapacitated person does not affirmatively desire to be represented by counsel.
     (6) If the petition is brought by an interested person or entity requesting the appointment of some other qualified person or entity and a prospective guardian or limited guardian cannot be found, the court shall order the guardian ad litem to investigate the availability of a possible guardian or limited guardian and to include the findings in a report to the court pursuant to subsection (5)(f) of this section.
     (7) The parties to the proceeding may file responses to the guardian ad litem report with the court and deliver such responses to the other parties and the guardian ad litem at any time up to the second day prior to the hearing. If a guardian ad litem fails to file his or her report in a timely manner, the hearing shall be continued to give the court and the parties at least fifteen days before the hearing to review the report. At any time during the proceeding upon motion of any party or on the court's own motion, the court may remove the guardian ad litem for failure to perform his or her duties as specified in this chapter, provided that the guardian ad litem shall have five days' notice of any motion to remove before the court enters such order. In addition, the court in its discretion may reduce a guardian ad litem's fee for failure to carry out his or her duties.
     (8) The court appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority, in the event that the alleged incapacitated person is in need of emergency life-saving medical services, and is unable to consent to such medical services due to incapacity pending the hearing on the petition to give consent for such emergency life-saving medical services on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person.
     (9) The court-appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority to move for temporary relief under chapter 7.40 RCW to protect the alleged incapacitated person from abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, as those terms are defined in RCW 74.34.020, or to address any other emergency needs of the alleged incapacitated person. Any alternative arrangement executed before filing the petition for guardianship shall remain effective unless the court grants the relief requested under chapter 7.40 RCW, or unless, following notice and a hearing at which all parties directly affected by the arrangement are present, the court finds that the alternative arrangement should not remain effective.
     (10) The guardian ad litem shall receive a fee determined by the court. The fee shall be charged to the alleged incapacitated person unless the court finds that such payment would result in substantial hardship upon such person, in which case the county shall be responsible for such costs: PROVIDED, That the court may charge such fee to the petitioner, the alleged incapacitated person, or any person who has appeared in the action; or may allocate the fee, as it deems just. If the petition is found to be frivolous or not brought in good faith, the guardian ad litem fee shall be charged to the petitioner. The court shall not be required to provide for the payment of a fee to any salaried employee of a public agency.
     (11) Upon the presentation of the guardian ad litem report and the entry of an order either dismissing the petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian or appointing a guardian or limited guardian, the guardian ad litem shall be dismissed and shall have no further duties or obligations unless otherwise ordered by the court. If the court orders the guardian ad litem to perform further duties or obligations, they shall not be performed at county expense.
     (12) The guardian ad litem shall appear in person at all hearings on the petition unless all parties provide a written waiver of the requirement to appear.
     (13) At any hearing the court may consider whether any person who makes decisions regarding the alleged incapacitated person or estate has breached a statutory or fiduciary duty.

Sec. 805   RCW 11.88.125 and 1991 c 289 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The person appointed by the court as either guardian or limited guardian of the person and/or estate of an incapacitated person, shall file in writing with the court, a notice designating a standby limited guardian or guardian to serve as limited guardian or guardian at the death or legal incapacity of the court-appointed guardian or limited guardian. The notice shall state the name, address, zip code, and telephone number of the designated standby or limited guardian. Notice of the guardian's designation of the standby guardian shall be given to the standby guardian, the incapacitated person and his or her spouse or domestic partner and adult children, any facility in which the incapacitated person resides, and any person entitled to special notice under RCW 11.92.150 or any person entitled to receive pleadings pursuant to RCW 11.88.095(2)(g). Such standby guardian or limited guardian shall have all the powers, duties, and obligations of the regularly appointed guardian or limited guardian and in addition shall, within a period of thirty days from the death or adjudication of incapacity of the regularly appointed guardian or limited guardian, file with the superior court in the county in which the guardianship or limited guardianship is then being administered, a petition for appointment of a substitute guardian or limited guardian. Upon the court's appointment of a new, substitute guardian or limited guardian, the standby guardian or limited guardian shall make an accounting and report to be approved by the court, and upon approval of the court, the standby guardian or limited guardian shall be released from all duties and obligations arising from or out of the guardianship or limited guardianship.
     (2) Letters of guardianship shall be issued to the standby guardian or limited guardian upon filing an oath and posting a bond as required by RCW 11.88.100 as now or hereafter amended. The oath may be filed prior to the appointed guardian or limited guardian's death. Notice of such appointment shall be provided to the standby guardian, the incapacitated person, and any facility in which the incapacitated person resides. The provisions of RCW 11.88.100 through 11.88.110 as now or hereafter amended shall apply to standby guardians and limited guardians.
     (3) In addition to the powers of a standby limited guardian or guardian as noted in subsection (1) of this section, the standby limited guardian or guardian shall have the authority to provide timely, informed consent to necessary medical procedures, as authorized in RCW 11.92.040 as now or hereafter amended, if the guardian or limited guardian cannot be located within four hours after the need for such consent arises.

Sec. 806   RCW 11.76.080 and 1997 c 252 s 71 are each amended to read as follows:
     If there be any alleged incapacitated person as defined in RCW 11.88.010 interested in the estate who has no legally appointed guardian or limited guardian, the court:
     (1) At any stage of the proceeding in its discretion and for such purpose or purposes as it shall indicate, may appoint; and
     (2) For hearings held under RCW 11.54.010, 11.68.041, 11.68.100, and 11.76.050 or for entry of an order adjudicating testacy or intestacy and heirship when no personal representative is appointed to administer the estate of the decedent, shall appoint some disinterested person as guardian ad litem to represent the allegedly incapacitated person with reference to any petition, proceeding report, or adjudication of testacy or intestacy without the appointment of a personal representative to administer the estate of decedent in which the alleged incapacitated person may have an interest, who, on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person, may contest the same as any other person interested might contest it, and who shall be allowed by the court reasonable compensation for his or her services: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That where a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is the sole beneficiary under the terms of a will, the court may grant a motion by the personal representative to waive the appointment of a guardian ad litem for a person who is the minor child of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and the decedent and who is incapacitated solely for the reason of his or her being under eighteen years of age.

Sec. 807   RCW 11.92.140 and 1999 c 42 s 616 are each amended to read as follows:
     The court, upon the petition of a guardian of the estate of an incapacitated person other than the guardian of a minor, and after such notice as the court directs and other notice to all persons interested as required by chapter 11.96A RCW, may authorize the guardian to take any action, or to apply funds not required for the incapacitated person's own maintenance and support, in any fashion the court approves as being in keeping with the incapacitated person's wishes so far as they can be ascertained and as designed to minimize insofar as possible current or prospective state or federal income and estate taxes, permit entitlement under otherwise available federal or state medical or other assistance programs, and to provide for gifts to such charities, relatives, and friends as would be likely recipients of donations from the incapacitated person.
     The action or application of funds may include but shall not be limited to the making of gifts, to the conveyance or release of the incapacitated person's contingent and expectant interests in property including marital or domestic partnership property rights and any right of survivorship incident to joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety, to the exercise or release of the incapacitated person's powers as donee of a power of appointment, the making of contracts, the creation of revocable or irrevocable trusts of property of the incapacitated person's estate which may extend beyond the incapacitated person's disability or life, the establishment of custodianships for the benefit of a minor under chapter 11.114 RCW, the Washington uniform transfers to minors act, the exercise of options of the incapacitated person to purchase securities or other property, the exercise of the incapacitated person's right to elect options and to change beneficiaries under insurance and annuity policies and the surrendering of policies for their cash value, the exercise of the incapacitated person's right to any elective share in the estate of the incapacitated person's deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner, and the renunciation or disclaimer of any interest acquired by testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos transfer.
     The guardian in the petition shall briefly outline the action or application of funds for which approval is sought, the results expected to be accomplished thereby and the savings expected to accrue. The proposed action or application of funds may include gifts of the incapacitated person's personal or real property. Gifts may be for the benefit of prospective legatees, devisees, or heirs apparent of the incapacitated person, or may be made to individuals or charities in which the incapacitated person is believed to have an interest. Gifts may or may not, in the discretion of the court, be treated as advancements to donees who would otherwise inherit property from the incapacitated person under the incapacitated person's will or under the laws of descent and distribution. The guardian shall also indicate in the petition that any planned disposition is consistent with the intentions of the incapacitated person insofar as the intentions can be ascertained, and if the incapacitated person's intentions cannot be ascertained, the incapacitated person will be presumed to favor reduction in the incidence of the various forms of taxation and the partial distribution of the incapacitated person's estate as provided in this section. The guardian shall not, however, be required to include as a beneficiary any person whom there is reason to believe would be excluded by the incapacitated person. No guardian may be required to file a petition as provided in this section, and a failure or refusal to so petition the court does not constitute a breach of the guardian's fiduciary duties.

Sec. 808   RCW 11.94.090 and 2001 c 203 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person designated in RCW 11.94.100 may file a petition requesting that the court:
     (a) Determine whether the power of attorney is in effect or has terminated;
     (b) Compel the attorney-in-fact to submit the attorney-in-fact's accounts or report the attorney-in-fact's acts as attorney-in-fact to the principal, the spouse or domestic partner of the principal, the guardian of the person or the estate of the principal, or to any other person required by the court in its discretion, if the attorney-in-fact has failed to submit an accounting or report within sixty days after written request from the person filing the petition, however, a government agency charged with the protection of vulnerable adults may file a petition upon the attorney-in-fact's refusal or failure to submit an accounting upon written request and shall not be required to wait sixty days;
     (c) Ratify past acts or approve proposed acts of the attorney-in-fact;
     (d) Order the attorney-in-fact to exercise or refrain from exercising authority in a power of attorney in a particular manner or for a particular purpose;
     (e) Modify the authority of an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney;
     (f) Remove the attorney-in-fact on a determination by the court of both of the following:
     (i) The attorney-in-fact has violated or is unfit to perform the fiduciary duties under the power of attorney; and
     (ii) The removal of the attorney-in-fact is in the best interest of the principal;
     (g) Approve the resignation of the attorney-in-fact and approve the final accountings of the resigning attorney-in-fact if submitted, subject to any orders the court determines are necessary to protect the principal's interests;
     (h) Confirm the authority of a successor attorney-in-fact to act under a power of attorney upon removal or resignation of the previous attorney-in-fact;
     (i) Compel a third person to honor the authority of an attorney-in-fact, provided that a third person may not be compelled to honor the agent's authority if the principal could not compel the third person to act in the same circumstances;
     (j) Order the attorney-in-fact to furnish a bond in an amount the court determines to be appropriate.
     (2) The petition shall contain a statement identifying the principal's known immediate family members, and any other persons known to petitioner to be interested in the principal's welfare or the principal's estate, stating which of said persons have an interest in the action requested in the petition and explaining the determination of who is interested in the petition.

Sec. 809   RCW 11.94.100 and 2001 c 203 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A petition may be filed under RCW 11.94.090 by any of the following persons:
     (a) The attorney-in-fact;
     (b) The principal;
     (c) The spouse or domestic partner of the principal;
     (d) The guardian of the estate or person of the principal; or
     (e) Any other interested person, as long as the person demonstrates to the court's satisfaction that the person is interested in the welfare of the principal and has a good faith belief that the court's intervention is necessary, and that the principal is incapacitated at the time of filing the petition or otherwise unable to protect his or her own interests.
     (2) Notwithstanding RCW 11.94.080, the principal may specify in the power of attorney by name certain persons who shall have no authority to bring a petition under RCW 11.94.090 with respect to the power of attorney. This provision is enforceable:
     (a) If the person so named is not at the time of filing the petition the guardian of the principal;
     (b) If at the time of signing the power of attorney the principal was represented by an attorney who advised the principal regarding the power of attorney and who signed a certificate at the time of execution of the power of attorney, stating that the attorney has advised the principal concerning his or her rights, the applicable law, and the effect and consequences of executing the power of attorney; or
     (c) If (a) and (b) of this subsection do not apply, unless the person so named can establish that the principal was unduly influenced by another or under mistaken beliefs when excluding the person from the petition process, or unless the person named is a government agency charged with protection of vulnerable adults.

Sec. 810   RCW 11.94.140 and 2001 c 203 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The following persons are entitled to notice of hearing on any petition under RCW 11.94.090:
     (a) The principal;
     (b) The principal's spouse or domestic partner;
     (c) The attorney-in-fact;
     (d) The guardian of the estate or person of the principal;
     (e) Any other person identified in the petition as being interested in the action requested in the petition, or identified by the court as having a right to notice of the hearing. If a person would be excluded from bringing a petition under RCW 11.94.100(2), then that person is not entitled to notice of the hearing.
     (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, if the whereabouts of the principal are unknown or the principal is otherwise unavailable to receive notice, the court may waive the requirement of notice to the principal, and if the principal's spouse is similarly unavailable to receive notice, the court may waive the requirement of notice to the principal's spouse.
     (3) Notice must be given as required under chapter 11.96A RCW, except that the parties entitled to notice shall be determined under this section.

Sec. 901   RCW 11.02.005 and 2007 c 475 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     When used in this title, unless otherwise required from the context:
     (1) "Personal representative" includes executor, administrator, special administrator, and guardian or limited guardian and special representative.
     (2) "Net estate" refers to the real and personal property of a decedent exclusive of homestead rights, exempt property, the family allowance and enforceable claims against, and debts of, the deceased or the estate.
     (3) "Representation" refers to a method of determining distribution in which the takers are in unequal degrees of kinship with respect to a decedent, and is accomplished as follows: After first determining who, of those entitled to share in the estate, are in the nearest degree of kinship, the estate is divided into equal shares, the number of shares being the sum of the number of persons who survive the decedent who are in the nearest degree of kinship and the number of persons in the same degree of kinship who died before the decedent but who left issue surviving the decedent; each share of a deceased person in the nearest degree shall be divided among those of the deceased person's issue who survive the decedent and have no ancestor then living who is in the line of relationship between them and the decedent, those more remote in degree taking together the share which their ancestor would have taken had he or she survived the decedent.
     (4) "Issue" means all the lineal descendants of an individual. An adopted individual is a lineal descendant of each of his or her adoptive parents and of all individuals with regard to which each adoptive parent is a lineal descendant. A child conceived prior to the death of a parent but born after the death of the deceased parent is considered to be the surviving issue of the deceased parent for purposes of this title.
     (5) "Degree of kinship" means the degree of kinship as computed according to the rules of the civil law; that is, by counting upward from the intestate to the nearest common ancestor and then downward to the relative, the degree of kinship being the sum of these two counts.
     (6) "Heirs" denotes those persons, including the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, who are entitled under the statutes of intestate succession to the real and personal property of a decedent on the decedent's death intestate.
     (7) "Real estate" includes, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and all rights thereto, and all interest therein possessed and claimed in fee simple, or for the life of a third person.
     (8) "Will" means an instrument validly executed as required by RCW 11.12.020.
     (9) "Codicil" means a will that modifies or partially revokes an existing earlier will. A codicil need not refer to or be attached to the earlier will.
     (10) "Guardian" or "limited guardian" means a personal representative of the person or estate of an incompetent or disabled person as defined in RCW 11.88.010 and the term may be used in lieu of "personal representative" wherever required by context.
     (11) "Administrator" means a personal representative of the estate of a decedent and the term may be used in lieu of "personal representative" wherever required by context.
     (12) "Executor" means a personal representative of the estate of a decedent appointed by will and the term may be used in lieu of "personal representative" wherever required by context.
     (13) "Special administrator" means a personal representative of the estate of a decedent appointed for limited purposes and the term may be used in lieu of "personal representative" wherever required by context.
     (14) "Trustee" means an original, added, or successor trustee and includes the state, or any agency thereof, when it is acting as the trustee of a trust to which chapter 11.98 RCW applies.
     (15) "Nonprobate asset" means those rights and interests of a person having beneficial ownership of an asset that pass on the person's death under a written instrument or arrangement other than the person's will. "Nonprobate asset" includes, but is not limited to, a right or interest passing under a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, joint bank account with right of survivorship, payable on death or trust bank account, transfer on death security or security account, deed or conveyance if possession has been postponed until the death of the person, trust of which the person is grantor and that becomes effective or irrevocable only upon the person's death, community property agreement, individual retirement account or bond, or note or other contract the payment or performance of which is affected by the death of the person. "Nonprobate asset" does not include: A payable-on-death provision of a life insurance policy, annuity, or other similar contract, or of an employee benefit plan; a right or interest passing by descent and distribution under chapter 11.04 RCW; a right or interest if, before death, the person has irrevocably transferred the right or interest, the person has waived the power to transfer it or, in the case of contractual arrangement, the person has waived the unilateral right to rescind or modify the arrangement; or a right or interest held by the person solely in a fiduciary capacity. For the definition of "nonprobate asset" relating to revocation of a provision for a former spouse upon dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage, RCW 11.07.010(5) applies. For the definition of "nonprobate asset" relating to revocation of a provision for a former spouse upon dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage, see RCW 11.07.010(5). For the definition of "nonprobate asset" relating to testamentary disposition of nonprobate assets, see RCW 11.11.010(7).
     (16) "Internal Revenue Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or renumbered as of January 1, 2001.
     (17) References to "section 2033A" of the Internal Revenue Code in wills, trust agreements, powers of appointment, beneficiary designations, and other instruments governed by or subject to this title shall be deemed to refer to the comparable or corresponding provisions of section 2057 of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by section 6006(b) of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring Act of 1998 (H.R. 2676, P.L. 105-206); and references to the section 2033A "exclusion" shall be deemed to mean the section 2057 deduction.
     (18) "Surviving spouse" or "surviving domestic partner" does not include an individual whose marriage to or state registered domestic partnership with the decedent has been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated unless, by virtue of a subsequent marriage or state registered domestic partnership, he or she is married to or in a domestic partnership with the decedent at the time of death. A decree of separation that does not terminate the status of ((husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners is not a dissolution or invalidation for purposes of this subsection.
     Words that import the singular number may also be applied to the plural of persons and things.
     Words importing the masculine gender only may be extended to females also.

Sec. 902   RCW 11.02.070 and 1998 c 292 s 504 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as provided in RCW 41.04.273 and 11.84.025, upon the death of a decedent, a one-half share of the community property shall be confirmed to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, and the other one-half share shall be subject to testamentary disposition by the decedent, or shall descend as provided in chapter 11.04 RCW. The whole of the community property shall be subject to probate administration for all purposes of this title, including the payment of obligations and debts of the community, the award in lieu of homestead, the allowance for family support, and any other matter for which the community property would be responsible or liable if the decedent were living.

Sec. 903   RCW 11.02.100 and 1990 c 180 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     Shares of record in the name of a ((married person)) spouse or domestic partner may be transferred by such person, such person's agent or attorney, without the signature of such person's spouse or domestic partner. All dividends payable upon any shares of a corporation standing in the name of a ((married person)) spouse or domestic partner, shall be paid to such ((married person)) spouse or domestic partner, such person's agent or attorney, in the same manner as if such person were unmarried or not in a state registered domestic partnership, and it shall not be necessary for the other spouse or domestic partner to join in a receipt therefor; and any proxy or power given by a ((married person)) spouse or domestic partner, touching any shares of any corporation standing in such person's name, shall be valid and binding without the signature of the other spouse or other domestic partner.

Sec. 904   RCW 11.02.120 and 1990 c 180 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     Neither a domestic or foreign corporation or its registrar or transfer agent shall be liable for transferring or causing to be transferred on the books of the corporation to or pursuant to the direction of the surviving spouse ((of a deceased husband or wife)) or the surviving domestic partner any share or shares or other securities theretofore issued by the corporation to the deceased or surviving spouse or both ((of them)), or to the deceased or surviving domestic partner or both, if the corporation or its registrar or transfer agent shall be provided with the following:
     (1) A copy of an agreement which shall have been entered into between the spouses or between the domestic partners pursuant to RCW 26.16.120 and certified by the auditor of the county in this state in whose office the same shall have been recorded;
     (2) A certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner;
     (3) An affidavit of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner that:
     (a) The shares or other securities constituted community property of the spouses or the domestic partners at date of death of the deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner and their disposition is controlled by the community property agreement;
     (b) No proceedings have been instituted to contest or set aside or cancel the agreement; and that
     (c) The claims of creditors have been paid or provided for.

Sec. 905   RCW 11.04.095 and 1965 c 145 s 11.04.095 are each amended to read as follows:
     If a person dies leaving a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and issue by a former spouse or former domestic partner and leaving a will whereby all or substantially all of the deceased's property passes to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or having before death conveyed all or substantially all his or her property to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, and afterwards the latter dies without heirs and without disposing of his or her property by will so that except for this section the same would all escheat, the issue of the spouse or domestic partner first deceased who survive the spouse or domestic partner last deceased shall take and inherit from the spouse or domestic partner last deceased the property so acquired by will or conveyance or the equivalent thereof in money or other property; if such issue are all in the same degree of kinship to the spouse or domestic partner first deceased they shall take equally, or, if of unequal degree, then those of more remote degree shall take by representation with respect to such spouse or such domestic partner first deceased.

Sec. 906   RCW 11.07.010 and 2007 c 475 s 2 and 2007 c 156 s 13 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies to all nonprobate assets, wherever situated, held at the time of entry of a decree of dissolution of marriage or state registered domestic partnership or a declaration of invalidity or certification of termination of a state registered domestic partnership.
     (2)(a) If a marriage or state registered domestic partnership is dissolved or invalidated, or a state registered domestic partnership terminated, a provision made prior to that event that relates to the payment or transfer at death of the decedent's interest in a nonprobate asset in favor of or granting an interest or power to the decedent's former spouse or state registered domestic partner, is revoked. A provision affected by this section must be interpreted, and the nonprobate asset affected passes, as if the former spouse or former state registered domestic partner, failed to survive the decedent, having died at the time of entry of the decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity or termination of state registered domestic partnership.
     (b) This subsection does not apply if and to the extent that:
     (i) The instrument governing disposition of the nonprobate asset expressly provides otherwise;
     (ii) The decree of dissolution, declaration of invalidity, or other court order requires that the decedent maintain a nonprobate asset for the benefit of a former spouse or former state registered domestic partner or children of the marriage or domestic partnership, payable on the decedent's death either outright or in trust, and other nonprobate assets of the decedent fulfilling such a requirement for the benefit of the former spouse or former state registered domestic partner or children of the marriage or domestic partnership do not exist at the decedent's death;
     (iii) A court order requires that the decedent maintain a nonprobate asset for the benefit of another, payable on the decedent's death either outright or in a trust, and other nonprobate assets of the decedent fulfilling such a requirement do not exist at the decedent's death; or
     (iv) If not for this subsection, the decedent could not have effected the revocation by unilateral action because of the terms of the decree, declaration, termination of state registered domestic partnership, or for any other reason, immediately after the entry of the decree of dissolution, declaration of invalidity, or termination of state registered domestic partnership.
     (3)(a) A payor or other third party in possession or control of a nonprobate asset at the time of the decedent's death is not liable for making a payment or transferring an interest in a nonprobate asset to a decedent's former spouse or state registered domestic partner, whose interest in the nonprobate asset is revoked under this section, or for taking another action in reliance on the validity of the instrument governing disposition of the nonprobate asset, before the payor or other third party has actual knowledge of the dissolution or other invalidation of marriage or termination of the state registered domestic partnership. A payor or other third party is liable for a payment or transfer made or other action taken after the payor or other third party has actual knowledge of a revocation under this section.
     (b) This section does not require a payor or other third party to pay or transfer a nonprobate asset to a beneficiary designated in a governing instrument affected by the dissolution or other invalidation of marriage or termination of state registered domestic partnership, or to another person claiming an interest in the nonprobate asset, if the payor or third party has actual knowledge of the existence of a dispute between the former spouse or former state registered domestic partner, and the beneficiaries or other persons concerning rights of ownership of the nonprobate asset as a result of the application of this section among the former spouse or former state registered domestic partner, and the beneficiaries or among other persons, or if the payor or third party is otherwise uncertain as to who is entitled to the nonprobate asset under this section. In such a case, the payor or third party may, without liability, notify in writing all beneficiaries or other persons claiming an interest in the nonprobate asset of either the existence of the dispute or its uncertainty as to who is entitled to payment or transfer of the nonprobate asset. The payor or third party may also, without liability, refuse to pay or transfer a nonprobate asset in such a circumstance to a beneficiary or other person claiming an interest until the time that either:
     (i) All beneficiaries and other interested persons claiming an interest have consented in writing to the payment or transfer; or
     (ii) The payment or transfer is authorized or directed by a court of proper jurisdiction.
     (c) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section and (a) and (b) of this subsection, a payor or other third party having actual knowledge of the existence of a dispute between beneficiaries or other persons concerning rights to a nonprobate asset as a result of the application of this section may condition the payment or transfer of the nonprobate asset on execution, in a form and with security acceptable to the payor or other third party, of a bond in an amount that is double the fair market value of the nonprobate asset at the time of the decedent's death or the amount of an adverse claim, whichever is the lesser, or of a similar instrument to provide security to the payor or other third party, indemnifying the payor or other third party for any liability, loss, damage, costs, and expenses for and on account of payment or transfer of the nonprobate asset.
     (d) As used in this subsection, "actual knowledge" means, for a payor or other third party in possession or control of the nonprobate asset at or following the decedent's death, written notice to the payor or other third party, or to an officer of a payor or third party in the course of his or her employment, received after the decedent's death and within a time that is sufficient to afford the payor or third party a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge. The notice must identify the nonprobate asset with reasonable specificity. The notice also must be sufficient to inform the payor or other third party of the revocation of the provisions in favor of the decedent's spouse or state registered domestic partner, by reason of the dissolution or invalidation of marriage or termination of state registered domestic partnership, or to inform the payor or third party of a dispute concerning rights to a nonprobate asset as a result of the application of this section. Receipt of the notice for a period of more than thirty days is presumed to be received within a time that is sufficient to afford the payor or third party a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge, but receipt of the notice for a period of less than five business days is presumed not to be a sufficient time for these purposes. These presumptions may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
     (4)(a) A person who purchases a nonprobate asset from a former spouse, former state registered domestic partner, or other person, for value and without actual knowledge, or who receives from a former spouse, former state registered domestic partner, or other person payment or transfer of a nonprobate asset without actual knowledge and in partial or full satisfaction of a legally enforceable obligation, is neither obligated under this section to return the payment, property, or benefit nor is liable under this section for the amount of the payment or the value of the nonprobate asset. However, a former spouse, former state registered domestic partner, or other person who, with actual knowledge, not for value, or not in satisfaction of a legally enforceable obligation, receives payment or transfer of a nonprobate asset to which that person is not entitled under this section is obligated to return the payment or nonprobate asset, or is personally liable for the amount of the payment or value of the nonprobate asset, to the person who is entitled to it under this section.
     (b) As used in this subsection, "actual knowledge" means, for a person described in (a) of this subsection who purchases or receives a nonprobate asset from a former spouse, former state registered domestic partner, or other person, personal knowledge or possession of documents relating to the revocation upon dissolution or invalidation of marriage of provisions relating to the payment or transfer at the decedent's death of the nonprobate asset, received within a time after the decedent's death and before the purchase or receipt that is sufficient to afford the person purchasing or receiving the nonprobate asset reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge. Receipt of the personal knowledge or possession of the documents for a period of more than thirty days is presumed to be received within a time that is sufficient to afford the payor or third party a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge, but receipt of the notice for a period of less than five business days is presumed not to be a sufficient time for these purposes. These presumptions may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
     (5) As used in this section, "nonprobate asset" means those rights and interests of a person having beneficial ownership of an asset that pass on the person's death under only the following written instruments or arrangements other than the decedent's will:
     (a) A payable-on-death provision of a life insurance policy, employee benefit plan, annuity or similar contract, or individual retirement account, unless provided otherwise by controlling federal law;
     (b) A payable-on-death, trust, or joint with right of survivorship bank account;
     (c) A trust of which the person is a grantor and that becomes effective or irrevocable only upon the person's death;
     (d) Transfer on death beneficiary designations of a transfer on death or pay on death security, or joint tenancy or joint tenancy with right of survivorship designations of a security, if such designations are authorized under Washington law;
     (e) A transfer on death, pay on death, joint tenancy, or joint tenancy with right of survivorship brokerage account;
     (f) Unless otherwise specifically provided therein, a contract wherein payment or performance under that contract is affected by the death of the person; or
     (g) Unless otherwise specifically provided therein, any other written instrument of transfer, within the meaning of RCW 11.02.091(3), containing a provision for the nonprobate transfer of an asset at death.
     For the general definition in this title of "nonprobate asset," see RCW 11.02.005(15) and for the definition of "nonprobate asset" relating to testamentary disposition of nonprobate assets, see RCW 11.11.010(7). For the purposes of this chapter, a "bank account" includes an account into or from which cash deposits and withdrawals can be made, and includes demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts, money market accounts, or certificates of deposit, maintained at a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, brokerage house, or similar financial institution.
     (6) This section is remedial in nature and applies as of July 25, 1993, to decrees of dissolution and declarations of invalidity entered after July 24, 1993, and this section applies as of January 1, 1995, to decrees of dissolution and declarations of invalidity entered before July 25, 1993.

Sec. 907   RCW 11.08.300 and 1990 c 225 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Escheat property may be transferred to the department of revenue under the provisions of RCW 11.62.005 through 11.62.020. The department of revenue shall furnish proof of death and an affidavit made by the department which meets the requirements of RCW 11.62.010 to any person who is indebted to or has possession of any personal property belonging to the decedent or to the decedent and his or her surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner as a community, which debt or personal property is an asset which is subject to probate. Upon receipt of such proof of death and affidavit, the person shall pay the indebtedness or deliver the personal property, or as much of either as is claimed, to the department of revenue pursuant to RCW 11.62.010.
     The department of revenue shall file a copy of its affidavit made pursuant to chapter 11.62 RCW with the clerk of the court where any probate administration of the decedent has been commenced, or, if no probate administration has been commenced, then with the clerk of the court of any county provided by law as a place for probate administration of the estate of such person. The affidavit shall be indexed under the name of the decedent in the probate index upon payment of a fee of two dollars. Any claimant to escheated funds shall have seven years from the filing of the affidavit by the department of revenue within which to file the claim. The claim shall be filed with the clerk of the court where the affidavit of the department of revenue was filed, and a copy served upon the department of revenue, together with twenty days notice of a hearing to be held thereon, and the provisions of RCW 11.08.250 through 11.08.280 shall apply.

Sec. 908   RCW 11.10.010 and 1994 c 221 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, property of a decedent abates, without preference as between real and personal property, in the following order:
     (a) Intestate property;
     (b) Residuary gifts;
     (c) General gifts;
     (d) Specific gifts.
     For purposes of abatement a demonstrative gift, defined as a general gift charged on any specific property or fund, is deemed a specific gift to the extent of the value of the property or fund on which it is charged, and a general gift to the extent of a failure or insufficiency of that property or fund. Abatement within each classification is in proportion to the amounts of property each of the beneficiaries would have received if full distribution of the property had been made in accordance with the terms of the will.
     (2) If the will expresses an order of abatement, or if the testamentary plan or the express or implied purpose of the devise would be defeated by the order of abatement stated in subsection (1) of this section, a gift abates as may be found necessary to give effect to the intention of the testator.
     (3) If the subject of a preferred gift is sold, diminished, or exhausted incident to administration, not including satisfaction of debts or liabilities according to their community or separate status under RCW 11.10.030, abatement must be achieved by appropriate adjustments in, or contribution from, other interests in the remaining assets.
     (4) To the extent that the whole of the community property is subject to abatement, the shares of the decedent and of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner in the community property abate equally.
     (5) If required under RCW 11.10.040, nonprobate assets must abate with those disposed of under the will and passing by intestacy.

Sec. 909   RCW 11.11.010 and 1998 c 292 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1)(a) "Actual knowledge" means:
     (i) For a financial institution, whether acting as personal representative or otherwise, or other third party in possession or control of a nonprobate asset, receipt of written notice that: (A) Complies with RCW 11.11.050; (B) pertains to the testamentary disposition or ownership of a nonprobate asset in its possession or control; and (C) is received by the financial institution or third party after the death of the owner in a time sufficient to afford the financial institution or third party a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge; and
     (ii) For a personal representative that is not a financial institution, personal knowledge or possession of documents relating to the testamentary disposition or ownership of a nonprobate asset of the owner sufficient to afford the personal representative reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge, including reasonable opportunity for the personal representative to provide the written notice under RCW 11.11.050.
     (b) For the purposes of (a) of this subsection, notice of more than thirty days is presumed to be notice that is sufficient to afford the party a reasonable opportunity to act upon the knowledge, but notice of less than five business days is presumed not to be a sufficient notice for these purposes. These presumptions may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
     (2) "Beneficiary" means the person designated to receive a nonprobate asset upon the death of the owner by means other than the owner's will.
     (3) "Broker" means a person defined as a broker or dealer under the federal securities laws.
     (4) "Date of will" means, as to any nonprobate asset, the date of signature of the will or codicil that refers to the asset and disposes of it.
     (5) "Designate" means a written means by which the owner selects a beneficiary, including but not limited to instruments under contractual arrangements and registration of accounts, and "designation" means the selection.
     (6) "Financial institution" means: A bank, trust company, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, broker, or issuer of stock or its transfer agent.
     (7)(a) "Nonprobate asset" means a nonprobate asset within the meaning of RCW 11.02.005, but excluding the following:
     (i) A right or interest in real property passing under a joint tenancy with right of survivorship;
     (ii) A deed or conveyance for which possession has been postponed until the death of the owner;
     (iii) A right or interest passing under a community property agreement; and
     (iv) An individual retirement account or bond.
     (b) For the definition of "nonprobate asset" relating to revocation of a provision for a former spouse or former domestic partner upon dissolution of marriage or state registered domestic partnership or declaration of invalidity of marriage or state registered domestic partnership, see RCW 11.07.010(5).
     (8) "Owner" means a person who, during life, has beneficial ownership of the nonprobate asset.
     (9) "Request" means a request by the beneficiary for transfer of a nonprobate asset after the death of the owner, if it complies with all conditions of the arrangement, including reasonable special requirements concerning necessary signatures and regulations of the financial institution or other third party, or by the personal representative of the owner's estate or the testamentary beneficiary, if it complies with the owner's will and any additional conditions of the financial institution or third party for such transfer.
     (10) "Testamentary beneficiary" means a person named under the owner's will to receive a nonprobate asset under this chapter, including but not limited to the trustee of a testamentary trust.
     (11) "Third party" means a person, including a financial institution, having possession of or control over a nonprobate asset at the death of the owner, including the trustee of a revocable living trust and surviving joint tenant or tenants.

Sec. 910   RCW 11.12.051 and 1994 c 221 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If, after making a will, the testator's marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved ((or)), invalidated, or terminated, all provisions in the will in favor of or granting any interest or power to the testator's former spouse or former domestic partner are revoked, unless the will expressly provides otherwise. Provisions affected by this section must be interpreted, and property affected passes, as if the former spouse or former domestic partner failed to survive the testator, having died at the time of entry of the decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity. Provisions revoked by this section are revived by the testator's remarriage to the former spouse or reregistration of the domestic partnership with the former domestic partner. Revocation of certain nonprobate transfers is provided under RCW 11.07.010.
     (2) This section is remedial in nature and applies to decrees of dissolution and declarations of invalidity entered before, on, or after January 1, 1995.

Sec. 911   RCW 11.12.095 and 1994 c 221 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If a will fails to name or provide for a spouse or domestic partner of the decedent whom the decedent marries or enters into a domestic partnership after the will's execution and who survives the decedent, referred to in this section as an "omitted spouse" or "omitted domestic partner," the spouse or domestic partner must receive a portion of the decedent's estate as provided in subsection (3) of this section, unless it appears either from the will or from other clear and convincing evidence that the failure was intentional.
     (2) In determining whether an omitted spouse or omitted domestic partner has been named or provided for, the following rules apply:
     (a) A spouse or domestic partner identified in a will by name is considered named whether identified as a spouse or domestic partner or in any other manner.
     (b) A reference in a will to the decedent's future spouse or spouses or future domestic partner or partners, or words of similar import, constitutes a naming of a spouse or domestic partner whom the decedent later marries or with whom the decedent enters into a domestic partnership. A reference to another class such as the decedent's heirs or family does not constitute a naming of a spouse or domestic partner who falls within the class.
     (c) A nominal interest in an estate does not constitute a provision for a spouse or domestic partner receiving the interest.
     (3) The omitted spouse or omitted domestic partner must receive an amount equal in value to that which the spouse or domestic partner would have received under RCW 11.04.015 if the decedent had died intestate, unless the court determines on the basis of clear and convincing evidence that a smaller share, including no share at all, is more in keeping with the decedent's intent. In making the determination the court may consider, among other things, the spouse's or domestic partner's property interests under applicable community property or quasi-community property laws, the various elements of the decedent's dispositive scheme, and a marriage settlement or settlement in a domestic partnership or other provision and provisions for the omitted spouse or omitted domestic partner outside the decedent's will.
     (4) In satisfying a share provided by this section, the bequests made by the will abate as provided in chapter 11.10 RCW.

Sec. 912   RCW 11.12.180 and 1994 c 221 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     The Rule in Shelley's Case is abolished as a rule of law and as a rule of construction. If an applicable statute or a governing instrument calls for a future distribution to or creates a future interest in a designated individual's "heirs," "heirs at law," "next of kin," "relatives," or "family," or language of similar import, the property passes to those persons, including the state under chapter 11.08 RCW, that would succeed to the designated individual's estate under chapter 11.04 RCW. The property must pass to those persons as if the designated individual had died when the distribution or transfer of the future interest was to take effect in possession or enjoyment. For purposes of this section and RCW 11.12.185, the designated individual's surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is deemed to be an heir, regardless of whether the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner has remarried or entered into a subsequent domestic partnership.

Sec. 913   RCW 11.28.030 and 1965 c 145 s 11.28.030 are each amended to read as follows:
     A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner shall be entitled to administer upon the community property, notwithstanding any provisions of the will to the contrary, if the court find such spouse or such domestic partner to be otherwise qualified; but if such surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner do not make application for such appointment within forty days immediately following the death of the deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner, he or she shall be considered as having waived his or her right to administer upon such community property. If any person, other than the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, make application for letters testamentary on such property, prior to the expiration of such forty days, then the court, before making any such appointment, shall require notice of such application to be given the said surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, for such time and in such manner as the court may determine, unless such applicant show to the satisfaction of the court that there is no surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or that he or she has in writing waived the right to administer upon such community property.

Sec. 914   RCW 11.28.131 and 1974 ex.s. c 117 s 44 are each amended to read as follows:
     When a petition for general letters of administration or for letters of administration with the will annexed shall be filed, the matter may (([be])) be heard forthwith, appointment made and letters of administration issued: PROVIDED, That if there be a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and a petition is presented by anyone other than the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, or any person designated by the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner to serve as personal representative on his or her behalf, notice to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner shall be given of the time and place of such hearing at least ten days before the hearing, unless the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner shall waive notice of the hearing in writing filed in the cause.

Sec. 915   RCW 11.28.185 and 1977 ex.s. c 234 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     When the terms of the decedent's will manifest an intent that the personal representative appointed to administer the estate shall not be required to furnish bond or other security, or when the personal representative is the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of the decedent and it appears to the court that the entire estate, after provision for expenses and claims of creditors, will be distributable to such spouse or surviving domestic partner, then such personal representative shall not be required to give bond or other security as a condition of appointment. In all cases where a bank or trust company authorized to act as personal representative is appointed as personal representative, no bond shall be required. In all other cases, unless waived by the court, the personal representative shall give such bond or other security, in such amount and with such surety or sureties, as the court may direct.
     Every person required to furnish bond must, before receiving letters testamentary or of administration, execute a bond to the state of Washington conditioned that the personal representative shall faithfully execute the duty of the trust according to law.
     The court may at any time after appointment of the personal representative require said personal representative to give a bond or additional bond, the same to be conditioned and to be approved as provided in this section; or the court may allow a reduction of the bond upon a proper showing.
     In lieu of bond, the court may in its discretion, substitute other security or financial arrangements, such as provided under RCW 11.88.105, or as the court may deem adequate to protect the assets of the estate.

Sec. 916   RCW 11.54.010 and 1997 c 252 s 48 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Subject to RCW 11.54.030, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a decedent may petition the court for an award from the property of the decedent. If the decedent is survived by children of the decedent who are not also the children of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, on petition of such a child the court may divide the award between the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and all or any of such children as it deems appropriate. If there is not a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, the minor children of the decedent may petition for an award.
     (2) The award may be made from either the community property or separate property of the decedent. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the probate and nonprobate assets of the decedent abate in accordance with chapter 11.10 RCW in satisfaction of the award.
     (3) The award may be made whether or not probate proceedings have been commenced in the state of Washington. The court may not make this award unless the petition for the award is filed before the earliest of:
     (a) Eighteen months from the date of the decedent's death if within twelve months of the decedent's death either:
     (i) A personal representative has been appointed; or
     (ii) A notice agent has filed a declaration and oath as required in RCW 11.42.010(3)(a)(ii); or
     (b) The termination of any probate proceeding for the decedent's estate that has been commenced in the state of Washington; or
     (c) Six years from the date of the death of the decedent.

Sec. 917   RCW 11.54.020 and 1997 c 252 s 49 are each amended to read as follows:
     The amount of the basic award shall be the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030(2) with regard to lands. If an award is divided between a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and the decedent's children who are not the children of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, the aggregate amount awarded to all the claimants under this section shall be the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030(2) with respect to lands. The amount of the basic award may be increased or decreased in accordance with RCW 11.54.040 and 11.54.050.

Sec. 918   RCW 11.54.030 and 1997 c 252 s 50 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The court may not make an award unless the court finds that the funeral expenses, expenses of last sickness, and expenses of administration have been paid or provided for.
     (2) The court may not make an award to a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or child who has participated, either as a principal or as an accessory before the fact, in the willful and unlawful killing of the decedent.

Sec. 919   RCW 11.54.040 and 1997 c 252 s 51 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the court with clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that a claimant's present and reasonably anticipated future needs during the pendency of any probate proceedings in the state of Washington with respect to basic maintenance and support will not otherwise be provided for from other resources, and that the award would not be inconsistent with the decedent's intentions, the amount of the award may be increased in an amount the court determines to be appropriate.
     (2) In determining the needs of the claimant, the court shall consider, without limitation, the resources available to the claimant and the claimant's dependents, and the resources reasonably expected to be available to the claimant and the claimant's dependents during the pendency of the probate, including income related to present or future employment and benefits flowing from the decedent's probate and nonprobate estate.
     (3) In determining the intentions of the decedent, the court shall consider, without limitation:
     (a) Provisions made for the claimant by the decedent under the terms of the decedent's will or otherwise;
     (b) Provisions made for third parties or other entities under the decedent's will or otherwise that would be affected by an increased award;
     (c) If the claimant is the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, the duration and status of the marriage or the state registered domestic partnership of the decedent to the claimant at the time of the decedent's death;
     (d) The effect of any award on the availability of any other resources or benefits to the claimant;
     (e) The size and nature of the decedent's estate; and
     (f) Oral or written statements made by the decedent that are otherwise admissible as evidence.
     The fact that the decedent has named beneficiaries other than the claimant as recipients of the decedent's estate is not of itself adequate to evidence such an intent as would prevent the award of an amount in excess of that provided for in RCW 6.13.030(2) with respect to lands.
     (4)(a) A petition for an increased award may only be made if a petition for an award has been granted under RCW 11.54.010. The request for an increased award may be made in conjunction with the petition for an award under RCW 11.54.010.
     (b) Subject to (a) of this subsection, a request for an increased award may be made at any time during the pendency of the probate proceedings. A request to modify an increased award may also be made at any time during the pendency of the probate proceedings by a person having an interest in the decedent's estate that will be directly affected by the requested modification.

Sec. 920   RCW 11.54.050 and 1997 c 252 s 52 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The court may decrease the amount of the award below the amount provided in RCW 11.54.020 in the exercise of its discretion if the recipient is entitled to receive probate or nonprobate property, including insurance, by reason of the death of the decedent. In such a case the award must be decreased by no more than the value of such other property as is received by reason of the death of the decedent. The court shall consider the factors presented in RCW 11.54.040(2) in determining the propriety of the award and the proper amount of the award, if any.
     (2) An award to a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is also discretionary and the amount otherwise allowable may be reduced if: (a) The decedent is survived by children who are not the children of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner and the award would decrease amounts otherwise distributable to such children; or (b) the award would have the effect of reducing amounts otherwise distributable to any of the decedent's minor children. In either case the court shall consider the factors presented in RCW 11.54.040 (2) and (3) and whether the needs of the minor children with respect to basic maintenance and support are and will be adequately provided for, both during and after the pendency of any probate proceedings if such proceedings are pending, considering support from any source, including support from the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner.

Sec. 921   RCW 11.54.070 and 1998 c 292 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in RCW 11.54.060(2), property awarded and cash paid under this chapter is immune from all debts, including judgments and judgment liens, of the decedent and of the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner existing at the time of death.
     (2) Both the decedent's and the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's interests in any community property awarded to the spouse or domestic partner under this chapter are immune from the claims of creditors.

Sec. 922   RCW 11.62.005 and 2006 c 360 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated.
     (1) "Personal property" shall include any tangible personal property, any instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, chose in action, license or ownership, any debt or any other intangible property.
     (2)(a) "Successor" and "successors" shall mean (subject to subsection (2)(b) of this section):
     (i) That person or those persons who are entitled to the claimed property pursuant to the terms and provisions of the last will and testament of the decedent or by virtue of the laws of intestate succession contained in this title; and/or
     (ii) The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of the decedent to the extent that the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is entitled to the property claimed as his or her undivided one-half interest in the community property of said spouse or said domestic partner and the decedent; and/or
     (iii) The department of social and health services, to the extent of funds expended or paid, in the case of claims provided under RCW 43.20B.080; and/or
     (iv) This state, in the case of escheat property.
     (b) Any person claiming to be a successor solely by reason of being a creditor of the decedent or of the decedent's estate, except for the state as set forth in (a)(iii) and (iv) of this subsection, shall be excluded from the definition of "successor".
     (3) "Person" shall mean any individual or organization, specifically including but not limited to a bank, credit union, brokerage firm or stock transfer agent, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.

Sec. 923   RCW 11.62.010 and 2006 c 360 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) At any time after forty days from the date of a decedent's death, any person who is indebted to or who has possession of any personal property belonging to the decedent or to the decedent and his or her surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner as a community, which debt or personal property is an asset which is subject to probate, shall pay such indebtedness or deliver such personal property, or so much of either as is claimed, to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by said person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.
     (2) An affidavit which is to be made pursuant to this section shall state:
     (a) The claiming successor's name and address, and that the claiming successor is a "successor" as defined in RCW 11.62.005;
     (b) That the decedent was a resident of the state of Washington on the date of his or her death;
     (c) That the value of the decedent's entire estate subject to probate, not including the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's community property interest in any assets which are subject to probate in the decedent's estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars;
     (d) That forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent;
     (e) That no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction;
     (f) That all debts of the decedent including funeral and burial expenses have been paid or provided for;
     (g) A description of the personal property and the portion thereof claimed, together with a statement that such personal property is subject to probate;
     (h) That the claiming successor has given written notice, either by personal service or by mail, identifying his or her claim, and describing the property claimed, to all other successors of the decedent, and that at least ten days have elapsed since the service or mailing of such notice; and
     (i) That the claiming successor is either personally entitled to full payment or delivery of the property claimed or is entitled to full payment or delivery thereof on the behalf and with the written authority of all other successors who have an interest therein.
     (3) A transfer agent of any security shall change the registered ownership of the security claimed from the decedent to the person claiming to be the successor with respect to such security upon the presentation of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any governmental agency required to issue certificates of ownership or of license registration to personal property shall issue a new certificate of ownership or of license registration to a person claiming to be a successor of the decedent upon receipt of proof of death and of an affidavit made by such person which meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.
     (4) No release from any Washington state or local taxing authority may be required before any assets or debts are paid or delivered to a successor of a decedent as required under this section.
     (5) A copy of the affidavit, including the decedent's social security number, shall be mailed to the state of Washington, department of social and health services, office of financial recovery.

Sec. 924   RCW 11.62.030 and 1980 c 41 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     On the death of any member of any credit union organized under chapter 31.12 RCW or federal law, such credit union may pay to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner the moneys of such member on deposit to the credit of said deceased member, including moneys deposited as shares in said credit union, in cases where the amount of deposit does not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars, upon receipt of an affidavit from the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner to the effect that the member died and no executor or administrator has been appointed for the member's estate, and the member had on deposit in said credit union money not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars. The payment of such deposit made in good faith to the spouse or the domestic partner making the affidavit shall be a full acquittance and release of the credit union for the amount of the deposit so paid.
     No probate proceeding shall be necessary to establish the right of said surviving spouse to withdraw said deposits upon the filing of said affidavit: PROVIDED, That whenever a personal representative is appointed in an estate where a withdrawal of deposits has been had in compliance with this section, the spouse so withdrawing said deposits shall account for the same to the personal representative. The credit union may also pay out the moneys on deposit to the credit of the deceased upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in RCW 11.62.010, as now or hereafter amended.

Sec. 925   RCW 11.68.011 and 1997 c 252 s 59 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A personal representative may petition the court for nonintervention powers, whether the decedent died testate or intestate.
     (2) Unless the decedent has specified in the decedent's will, if any, that the court not grant nonintervention powers to the personal representative, the court shall grant nonintervention powers to a personal representative who petitions for the powers if the court determines that the decedent's estate is solvent, taking into account probate and nonprobate assets, and that:
     (a) The petitioning personal representative was named in the decedent's probated will as the personal representative;
     (b) The decedent died intestate, the petitioning personal representative is the decedent's surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, the decedent's estate is composed of community property only, and the decedent had no issue: (i) Who is living or in gestation on the date of the petition; (ii) whose identity is reasonably ascertainable on the date of the petition; and (iii) who is not also the issue of the petitioning spouse or petitioning domestic partner; or
     (c) The personal representative was not a creditor of the decedent at the time of the decedent's death and the administration and settlement of the decedent's will or estate with nonintervention powers would be in the best interests of the decedent's beneficiaries and creditors. However, the administration and settlement of the decedent's will or estate with nonintervention powers will be presumed to be in the beneficiaries' and creditors' best interest until a person entitled to notice under RCW 11.68.041 rebuts that presumption by coming forward with evidence that the grant of nonintervention powers would not be in the beneficiaries' or creditors' best interests.
     (3) The court may base its findings of facts necessary for the grant of nonintervention powers on: (a) Statements of witnesses appearing before the court; (b) representations contained in a verified petition for nonintervention powers, in an inventory made and returned upon oath into the court, or in an affidavit filed with the court; or (c) other proof submitted to the court.

Sec. 926   RCW 11.80.130 and 1972 ex.s. c 83 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If the spouse or domestic partner of any absentee owner, or his or her next of kin, if said absentee has no spouse or domestic partner, shall wish to sell or transfer any property of the absentee which has a gross value of less than five thousand dollars, or shall require the consent of the absentee in any matter regarding the absentee's children, or any other matter in which the gross value of the subject matter is less than five thousand dollars, such spouse or such domestic partner or next of kin may apply to the superior court for an order authorizing said sale, transfer, or consent without opening a full trustee proceeding as provided in this chapter. The applicant may make the application without the assistance of an attorney. Said application shall be made by petition on the following form, which form shall be made readily available to the applicant by the clerk of the superior court.

Sec. 927   RCW 11.96A.030 and 2006 c 360 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Matter" includes any issue, question, or dispute involving:
     (a) The determination of any class of creditors, devisees, legatees, heirs, next of kin, or other persons interested in an estate, trust, nonprobate asset, or with respect to any other asset or property interest passing at death;
     (b) The direction of a personal representative or trustee to do or to abstain from doing any act in a fiduciary capacity;
     (c) The determination of any question arising in the administration of an estate or trust, or with respect to any nonprobate asset, or with respect to any other asset or property interest passing at death, that may include, without limitation, questions relating to: (i) The construction of wills, trusts, community property agreements, and other writings; (ii) a change of personal representative or trustee; (iii) a change of the situs of a trust; (iv) an accounting from a personal representative or trustee; or (v) the determination of fees for a personal representative or trustee;
     (d) The grant to a personal representative or trustee of any necessary or desirable power not otherwise granted in the governing instrument or given by law;
     (e) The amendment, reformation, or conformation of a will or a trust instrument to comply with statutes and regulations of the United States internal revenue service in order to achieve qualification for deductions, elections, and other tax requirements, including the qualification of any gift thereunder for the benefit of a surviving spouse who is not a citizen of the United States for the estate tax marital deduction permitted by federal law, including the addition of mandatory governing instrument requirements for a qualified domestic trust under section 2056A of the internal revenue code, the qualification of any gift thereunder as a qualified conservation easement as permitted by federal law, or the qualification of any gift for the charitable estate tax deduction permitted by federal law, including the addition of mandatory governing instrument requirements for a charitable remainder trust; and
     (f) With respect to any nonprobate asset, or with respect to any other asset or property interest passing at death, including joint tenancy property, property subject to a community property agreement, or assets subject to a pay on death or transfer on death designation:
     (i) The ascertaining of any class of creditors or others for purposes of chapter 11.18 or 11.42 RCW;
     (ii) The ordering of a qualified person, the notice agent, or resident agent, as those terms are defined in chapter 11.42 RCW, or any combination of them, to do or abstain from doing any particular act with respect to a nonprobate asset;
     (iii) The ordering of a custodian of any of the decedent's records relating to a nonprobate asset to do or abstain from doing any particular act with respect to those records;
     (iv) The determination of any question arising in the administration under chapter 11.18 or 11.42 RCW of a nonprobate asset;
     (v) The determination of any questions relating to the abatement, rights of creditors, or other matter relating to the administration, settlement, or final disposition of a nonprobate asset under this title;
     (vi) The resolution of any matter referencing this chapter, including a determination of any questions relating to the ownership or distribution of an individual retirement account on the death of the spouse of the account holder as contemplated by RCW 6.15.020(6);
     (vii) The resolution of any other matter that could affect the nonprobate asset.
     (2) "Notice agent" has the meanings given in RCW 11.42.010.
     (3) "Nonprobate assets" has the meaning given in RCW 11.02.005.
     (4) "Party" or "parties" means each of the following persons who has an interest in the subject of the particular proceeding and whose name and address are known to, or are reasonably ascertainable by, the petitioner:
     (a) The trustor if living;
     (b) The trustee;
     (c) The personal representative;
     (d) An heir;
     (e) A beneficiary, including devisees, legatees, and trust beneficiaries;
     (f) The surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of a decedent with respect to his or her interest in the decedent's property;
     (g) A guardian ad litem;
     (h) A creditor;
     (i) Any other person who has an interest in the subject of the particular proceeding;
     (j) The attorney general if required under RCW 11.110.120;
     (k) Any duly appointed and acting legal representative of a party such as a guardian, special representative, or attorney-in-fact;
     (l) Where applicable, the virtual representative of any person described in this subsection the giving of notice to whom would meet notice requirements as provided in RCW 11.96A.120;
     (m) Any notice agent, resident agent, or a qualified person, as those terms are defined in chapter 11.42 RCW; and
     (n) The owner or the personal representative of the estate of the deceased owner of the nonprobate asset that is the subject of the particular proceeding, if the subject of the particular proceeding relates to the beneficiary's liability to a decedent's estate or creditors under RCW 11.18.200.
     (5) "Persons interested in the estate or trust" means the trustor, if living, all persons beneficially interested in the estate or trust, persons holding powers over the trust or estate assets, the attorney general in the case of any charitable trust where the attorney general would be a necessary party to judicial proceedings concerning the trust, and any personal representative or trustee of the estate or trust.
     (6) "Principal place of administration of the trust" means the trustee's usual place of business where the day-to-day records pertaining to the trust are kept, or the trustee's residence if the trustee has no such place of business.
     (7) The "situs" of a trust means the place where the principal place of administration of the trust is located, unless otherwise provided in the instrument creating the trust.
     (8) "Trustee" means any acting and qualified trustee of the trust.
     (9) "Representative" and other similar terms refer to a person who virtually represents another under RCW 11.96A.120.
     (10) "Citation" or "cite" and other similar terms, when required of a person interested in the estate or trust or a party to a petition, means to give notice as required under RCW 11.96A.100. "Citation" or "cite" and other similar terms, when required of the court, means to order, as authorized under RCW 11.96A.020 and 11.96A.060, and as authorized by law.

Sec. 928   RCW 11.96A.120 and 2001 c 203 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section is intended to adopt the common law concept of virtual representation. This section supplements the common law relating to the doctrine of virtual representation and shall not be construed as limiting the application of that common law doctrine.
     (2) Any notice requirement in this title is satisfied if notice is given as follows:
     (a) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to persons who comprise a certain class upon the happening of a certain event, notice may be given to the living persons who would constitute the class if the event had happened immediately before the commencement of the proceeding requiring notice, and the persons shall virtually represent all other members of the class;
     (b) Where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a living person, and the same interest, or a share in it, is to pass to the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner or to persons who are, or might be, the distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of that living person upon the happening of a future event, notice may be given to that living person, and the living person shall virtually represent the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, distributees, heirs, issue, or other kindred of the person; and
     (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, where an interest in an estate, trust, or nonprobate asset or an interest that may be affected by a power of attorney has been given to a person or a class of persons, or both, upon the happening of any future event, and the same interest or a share of the interest is to pass to another person or class of persons, or both, upon the happening of an additional future event, notice may be given to the living person or persons who would take the interest upon the happening of the first event, and the living person or persons shall virtually represent the persons and classes of persons who might take on the happening of the additional future event.
     (3) A party is not virtually represented by a person receiving notice if a conflict of interest involving the matter is known to exist between the notified person and the party.
     (4) An action taken by the court is conclusive and binding upon each person receiving actual or constructive notice or who is otherwise virtually represented.

Sec. 929   RCW 11.100.025 and 1985 c 30 s 67 are each amended to read as follows:
     Notwithstanding RCW 11.98.070(21)(a), 11.100.060, or any other statutory provisions to the contrary, with respect to trusts which require by their own terms or by operation of law that all income be paid at least annually to the spouse or domestic partner of the trust's creator, which do not provide that on the termination of the income interest that the entire then remaining trust estate be paid to the estate of the spouse or domestic partner of the trust's creator, and for which a federal estate or gift tax marital deduction is claimed, any investment in or retention of unproductive property is subject to a power in the spouse or domestic partner of the trust's creator to require either that any such asset be made productive, or that it be converted to productive assets within a reasonable period of time unless the instrument creating the interest provides otherwise.

Sec. 930   RCW 11.04.290 and 1965 c 145 s 11.04.290 are each amended to read as follows:
     RCW 11.04.250 through 11.04.290 shall apply to community real property and also to separate estate; and upon the death of either ((husband or wife)) spouse or either domestic partner, title of all community real property shall vest immediately in the person or persons to whom the same shall go, pass, descend or be devised, as provided in RCW 11.04.015, subject to all the charges mentioned in RCW 11.04.250.

Sec. 931   RCW 11.10.030 and 1994 c 221 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A community debt or liability is charged against the entire community property, with the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's half and the decedent spouse's or decedent domestic partner's half charged equally.
     (2) A separate debt or liability is charged first against separate property, and if that is insufficient against the balance of decedent's half of community property remaining after community debts and liabilities are satisfied.
     (3) A community debt or liability that is also the separate debt or liability of the decedent is charged first against the whole of the community property and then against the decedent's separate property.
     (4) An expense of administration is charged against the separate property and the decedent's half of the community property in proportion to the relative value of the property, unless a different charging of expenses is shown to be appropriate under the circumstances including against the surviving spouse's or surviving domestic partner's share of the community property.
     (5) Property of a similar type, community or separate, is appropriated in accordance with the abatement priorities of RCW 11.10.010.
     (6) Property that is primarily chargeable for a debt or liability is exhausted, in accordance with the abatement priorities of RCW 11.10.010, before resort is had, also in accordance with RCW 11.10.010, to property that is secondarily chargeable.

Sec. 932   RCW 11.80.010 and 1972 ex.s. c 83 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever it shall be made to appear by petition to any judge of the superior court of any county that there is property in such county, either real or personal, that requires care and attention, or is in such a condition that it is a menace to the public health, safety or welfare, or that the custodian of such property appointed by the owner thereof is either unable or unwilling to continue longer in the care and custody thereof, and that the owner of such property has absented himself or herself from the county and that his or her whereabouts is unknown and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, or that the absentee owner is a person defined in RCW 11.80.120, which petition shall state the name of the absent owner, his or her approximate age, his or her last known place of residence, the circumstances under which he or she left and the place to which he or she was going, if known, his or her business or occupation and his or her physical appearance and habits so far as known, the judge to whom such petition is presented shall set a time for hearing such petition not less than six weeks from the date of filing, and shall by order direct that a notice of such hearing be published for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper published in the county where such petition is filed and in such other counties and states as will in the judgment of the court be most likely to come to the attention of the absentee or of persons who may know his or her whereabouts, which notice shall state the object of the petition and the date of hearing, and set forth such facts and circumstances as in the judgment of the court will aid in identifying the absentee, and shall contain a request that all persons having knowledge concerning the absentee shall advise the court of the facts: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the court may, upon the filing of said petition, appoint a temporary trustee, who shall have the powers, duties and qualifications of a special administrator.
     If it shall appear at such hearing that the whereabouts of the absentee is unknown, but there is reason to believe that upon further investigation and inquiry he or she may be found, the judge may continue the hearing and order such inquiry and advertisement as will in his or her discretion be liable to disclose the whereabouts of the absentee, but when it shall appear to the judge at such hearing or any adjournment thereof that the whereabouts of the absentee cannot be ascertained, he or she shall appoint a suitable person resident of the county as trustee of such property, taking into consideration the character of the property and the fitness of such trustee to care for the same, preferring in such appointment the ((husband or wife)) spouse or the domestic partner of the absentee to his or her presumptive heirs, the presumptive heirs to kin more remote, the kin to strangers, and creditors to those who are not otherwise interested, provided they are fit persons to have the care and custody of the particular property in question and will accept the appointment and qualify as hereinafter provided.

Sec. 933   RCW 11.80.050 and 1965 c 145 s 11.80.050 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever a petition is filed in said estate from which it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the owner of such property left a ((husband or wife)) spouse or domestic partner, child or children, dependent upon such absentee for support or upon the property in the estate of such absentee, either in whole or in part, the court shall hold a hearing on said petition, after such notice as the court may direct, and upon such hearing shall enter such order as it deems advisable and may order an allowance to be paid out of any of the property of such estate, either community or separate, as the court shall deem reasonable and necessary for the support and maintenance of such dependent or dependents, pending the return of the absentee, or until such time as the property of said estate may be provisionally distributed to the presumptive heirs or to the devisees and legatees. Such allowance shall be paid by the trustee to such persons and in such manner and at such periods of time as the court may direct. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section the court may direct the sale of any of the property of the estate, either real or personal, in accordance with the provisions of RCW 11.80.040.

Sec. 934   RCW 11.114.010 and 2006 c 204 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Adult" means an individual other than the minor who has attained the age of twenty-one years and is older than the minor.
     (2) "Benefit plan" means an employer's plan for the benefit of an employee or partner.
     (3) "Broker" means a person lawfully engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities or commodities for the person's own account or for the account of others.
     (4) "Guardian" means a person appointed or qualified by a court to act as general, limited, or temporary guardian of a minor's property or a person legally authorized to perform substantially the same functions. Conservator means guardian for transfers made under another state's law but enforceable in this state's courts.
     (5) "Court" means a superior court of the state of Washington.
     (6) "Custodial property" means (a) any interest in property transferred to a custodian under this chapter and (b) the income from and proceeds of that interest in property.
     (7) "Custodian" means a person so designated under RCW 11.114.090 or a successor or substitute custodian designated under RCW 11.114.180.
     (8) "Financial institution" means a bank, trust company, savings institution, or credit union, chartered and supervised under state or federal law.
     (9) "Legal representative" means an individual's personal representative or guardian.
     (10) "Member of the minor's family" means the minor's parent, stepparent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption.
     (11) "Minor" means an individual who has not attained the age of twenty-five years.
     (12) "Person" means an individual, corporation, organization, or other legal entity.
     (13) "State" includes any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession subject to the legislative authority of the United States.
     (14) "Transfer" means a transaction that creates custodial property under RCW 11.114.090.
     (15) "Transferor" means a person who makes a transfer under this chapter.
     (16) "Trust company" means a financial institution, corporation, or other legal entity, authorized to exercise general trust powers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1001   A new section is added to chapter 26.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Notwithstanding this chapter, a domestic partnership may be terminated without filing a petition for dissolution in superior court, provided that all of the following conditions exist at the time of the filing of the notice of termination:
     (a) The notice of termination of state registered domestic partnership is signed by both registered domestic partners.
     (b) Neither party has children under the age of eighteen, whether born or adopted before or after registration of the domestic partnership, and neither of the registered domestic partners, to their knowledge, is pregnant.
     (c) The state registered domestic partnership is not more than five years in duration.
     (d) Neither party has any ownership interest in real property wherever situated, and neither party leases a residence, with the exception of the lease of a residence occupied by either party which satisfies the following requirements:
     (i) The lease does not include an option to purchase; and
     (ii) The lease terminates within one year from the date of filing the notice of termination of state registered domestic partnership.
     (e) There are no unpaid obligations in excess of four thousand dollars, as adjusted by subsection (3) of this section, incurred by either or both of the parties after registration of the domestic partnership, excluding the amount of any unpaid obligation with respect to an automobile.
     (f) The total fair market value of community property assets, net of any encumbrances, including any deferred compensation or retirement plan, is less than twenty-five thousand dollars, as adjusted by subsection (3) of this section, and neither party has separate property assets, net of any encumbrances, in excess of that amount.
     (g) The parties have executed an agreement setting forth the division of assets and the assumption of liabilities of the community property, and have executed any documents, title certificates, bills of sale, or other evidence of transfer necessary to effectuate the agreement.
     (h) The parties waive any rights to maintenance by the other domestic partner.
     (i) Both parties desire that the domestic partnership be terminated.
     (2) The termination of a domestic partnership pursuant to this section does not prejudice nor bar the rights of either of the parties to institute an action in the superior court to set aside the termination for fraud, duress, mistake, or any other ground recognized at law or in equity. A court may set aside the termination of state registered domestic partnership and declare the termination of the domestic partnership null and void upon proof that the parties did not meet the requirements of this section at the time of the filing of the notice of termination of state registered domestic partnership with the secretary of state.
     (3) On January 1, 2009, and on each January 1st of each odd-numbered year thereafter, the amounts in subsection (1)(e) and (f) of this section shall be adjusted to reflect any change in the value of the dollar. The adjustments shall be made by multiplying the base amounts by the percentage change in the Washington state consumer price index, with the result rounded to the nearest thousand dollars. The administrative office of the courts shall compute and publish the amounts.

Sec. 1002   RCW 26.60.050 and 2007 c 156 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(((a) A party)) Parties to a state registered domestic partnership meeting the conditions in section 1001 of this act may terminate the relationship without filing a petition under chapter 26.09 RCW by filing with the secretary a notice of termination of the state registered domestic partnership ((with the secretary)) and an affidavit stating the parties meet the conditions in section 1001 of this act and paying the filing fee established pursuant to subsection (5) of this section. ((The notice must be signed by one or both parties and notarized. If the notice is not signed by both parties, the party seeking termination must also file with the secretary an affidavit stating either that the other party has been served in writing in the manner prescribed for the service of summons in a civil action, that a notice of termination is being filed or that the party seeking termination has not been able to find the other party after reasonable effort and that notice has been made by publication pursuant to (b) of this subsection.
     (b) When the other party cannot be found after reasonable effort, the party seeking termination may provide notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the residence most recently shared by the domestic partners is located. Notice must be published at least once.))
     (2) The state registered domestic partnership shall be terminated effective ninety days after the date of filing the notice of termination and payment of the filing fee.
     (3) Upon receipt of a signed, notarized notice of termination, ((affidavit, if required,)) and the filing fee, the secretary shall register the notice of termination and provide a certificate of termination of the state registered domestic partnership to each party named on the notice. The secretary shall maintain a record of each notice of termination filed with the secretary and each certificate of termination issued by the secretary. The secretary shall provide the state registrar of vital statistics with records of terminations of state registered domestic partnerships, except for those state registered domestic partnerships terminated under subsection (4) of this section.
     (4) A state registered domestic partnership is automatically terminated if, subsequent to the registration of the domestic partnership with the secretary, ((either or both)) the parties enter into a marriage to each other that is recognized as valid in this state((, either with each other or with another person)).
     (5) The secretary shall set by rule and collect a reasonable fee for filing the declaration, calculated to cover the secretary's costs, but not to exceed fifty dollars. Fees collected under this section are expressly designated for deposit in the secretary of state's revolving fund established under RCW 43.07.130.

Sec. 1003   RCW 26.09.004 and 1987 c 460 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Temporary parenting plan" means a plan for parenting of the child pending final resolution of any action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation which is incorporated in a temporary order.
     (2) "Permanent parenting plan" means a plan for parenting the child, including allocation of parenting functions, which plan is incorporated in any final decree or decree of modification in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation.
     (3) "Parenting functions" means those aspects of the parent-child relationship in which the parent makes decisions and performs functions necessary for the care and growth of the child. Parenting functions include:
     (a) Maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
     (b) Attending to the daily needs of the child, such as feeding, clothing, physical care and grooming, supervision, health care, and day care, and engaging in other activities which are appropriate to the developmental level of the child and that are within the social and economic circumstances of the particular family;
     (c) Attending to adequate education for the child, including remedial or other education essential to the best interests of the child;
     (d) Assisting the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships;
     (e) Exercising appropriate judgment regarding the child's welfare, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and economic circumstances; and
     (f) Providing for the financial support of the child.

Sec. 1004   RCW 26.09.010 and 1989 c 375 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the practice in civil action shall govern all proceedings under this chapter, except that trial by jury is dispensed with.
     (2) A proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation or a declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership shall be entitled "In re the marriage of . . . . . . and . . . . . ." or "In re the domestic partnership of . . . . . . and . . . . . ." Such proceedings may be filed in the superior court of the county where the petitioner resides.
     (3) In cases where there has been no prior proceeding in this state involving the marital or domestic partnership status of the parties or support obligations for a minor child, a separate parenting and support proceeding between the parents shall be entitled "In re the parenting and support of . . . . . ."
     (4) The initial pleading in all proceedings under this chapter shall be denominated a petition. A responsive pleading shall be denominated a response. Other pleadings, and all pleadings in other matters under this chapter shall be denominated as provided in the civil rules for superior court.
     (5) In this chapter, "decree" includes "judgment".
     (6) A decree of dissolution, of legal separation, or a declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership shall not be awarded to one of the parties, but shall provide that it affects the status previously existing between the parties in the manner decreed.

Sec. 1005   RCW 26.09.020 and 2007 c 496 s 203 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership shall allege:
     (a) The last known state of residence of each party, and if a party's last known state of residence is Washington, the last known county of residence;
     (b) The date and place of the marriage or, for domestic partnerships, the date of registration, and place of residence when the domestic partnership was registered;
     (c) If the parties are separated the date on which the separation occurred;
     (d) The names and ages of any child dependent upon either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners and whether the wife or domestic partner is pregnant;
     (e) Any arrangements as to the residential schedule of, decision making for, dispute resolution for, and support of the children and the maintenance of a spouse or domestic partner;
     (f) A statement specifying whether there is community or separate property owned by the parties to be disposed of;
     (g) If the county has established a program under RCW 26.12.260, a statement affirming that the moving party met and conferred with the program prior to filing the petition;
     (h) The relief sought.
     (2) Either or both parties to the marriage or to the domestic partnership may initiate the proceeding.
     (3) The petitioner shall complete and file with the petition a certificate under RCW 43.70.150 on the form provided by the department of health and the confidential information form under RCW 26.23.050.
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or prohibit the ability of parties to obtain appropriate emergency orders.

Sec. 1006   RCW 26.09.030 and 2005 c 55 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     When a party who (1) is a resident of this state, or (2) is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state, or (3) is married or in a domestic partnership to a party who is a resident of this state or who is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state, petitions for a dissolution of marriage or dissolution of domestic partnership, and alleges that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken and when ninety days have elapsed since the petition was filed and from the date when service of summons was made upon the respondent or the first publication of summons was made, the court shall proceed as follows:
     (a) If the other party joins in the petition or does not deny that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution.
     (b) If the other party alleges that the petitioner was induced to file the petition by fraud, or coercion, the court shall make a finding as to that allegation and, if it so finds shall dismiss the petition.
     (c) If the other party denies that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospects for reconciliation and shall:
     (i) Make a finding that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken and enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership; or
     (ii) At the request of either party or on its own motion, transfer the cause to the family court, refer them to another counseling service of their choice, and request a report back from the counseling service within sixty days, or continue the matter for not more than sixty days for hearing. If the cause is returned from the family court or at the adjourned hearing, the court shall:
     (A) Find that the parties have agreed to reconciliation and dismiss the petition; or
     (B) Find that the parties have not been reconciled, and that either party continues to allege that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken. When such facts are found, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership.
     (d) If the petitioner requests the court to decree legal separation in lieu of dissolution, the court shall enter the decree in that form unless the other party objects and petitions for a decree of dissolution or declaration of invalidity.
     (e) In considering a petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, a court shall not use a party's pregnancy as the sole basis for denying or delaying the entry of a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. Granting a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership when a party is pregnant does not affect further proceedings under the uniform parentage act, chapter 26.26 RCW.

Sec. 1007   RCW 26.09.040 and 1987 c 460 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) While both parties to an alleged marriage or domestic partnership are living, and at least one party is resident in this state or a member of the armed service and stationed in the state, a petition to have the marriage or domestic partnership declared invalid may be sought by:
     (a) Either or both parties, or the guardian of an incompetent spouse or incompetent domestic partner, for any cause specified in subsection (4) of this section; or
     (b) Either or both parties, the legal spouse or domestic partner, or a child of either party when it is alleged that ((the marriage is bigamous)) either or both parties is married to or in a domestic partnership with another person.
     (2) If the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership is denied or questioned at any time, either or both parties to the marriage or either or both parties to the domestic partnership may petition the court for a judicial determination of the validity of such marriage or domestic partnership.
     (3) In a proceeding to declare the invalidity of a marriage or domestic partnership, the court shall proceed in the manner and shall have the jurisdiction, including the authority to provide for maintenance, a parenting plan for minor children, and division of the property of the parties, provided by this chapter.
     (4) After hearing the evidence concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership, if both parties to the alleged marriage or domestic partnership are still living, the court:
     (a) If it finds the marriage or domestic partnership to be valid, shall enter a decree of validity;
     (b) If it finds that:
     (i) The marriage or domestic partnership should not have been contracted because of age of one or both of the parties, lack of required parental or court approval, a prior undissolved marriage of one or both of the parties, a prior domestic partnership of one or both parties that has not been terminated or dissolved, reasons of consanguinity, or because a party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage or domestic partnership, either because of mental incapacity or because of the influence of alcohol or other incapacitating substances, or because a party was induced to enter into the marriage or domestic partnership by force or duress, or by fraud involving the essentials of marriage or domestic partnership, and that the parties have not ratified their marriage or domestic partnership by voluntarily cohabiting after attaining the age of consent, or after attaining capacity to consent, or after cessation of the force or duress or discovery of the fraud, shall declare the marriage or domestic partnership invalid as of the date it was purportedly contracted;
     (ii) The marriage or domestic partnership should not have been contracted because of any reason other than those above, shall upon motion of a party, order any action which may be appropriate to complete or to correct the record and enter a decree declaring such marriage or domestic partnership to be valid for all purposes from the date upon which it was purportedly contracted;
     (c) If it finds that a marriage or domestic partnership contracted in a jurisdiction other than this state, was void or voidable under the law of the place where the marriage or domestic partnership was contracted, and in the absence of proof that such marriage or domestic partnership was subsequently validated by the laws of the place of contract or of a subsequent domicile of the parties, shall declare the marriage or domestic partnership invalid as of the date of the marriage or domestic partnership.
     (5) Any child of the parties born or conceived during the existence of a marriage or domestic partnership of record is legitimate and remains legitimate notwithstanding the entry of a declaration of invalidity of the marriage or domestic partnership.

Sec. 1008   RCW 26.09.050 and 2000 c 119 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In entering a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity, the court shall determine the marital or domestic partnership status of the parties, make provision for a parenting plan for any minor child of the marriage or domestic partnership, make provision for the support of any child of the marriage or domestic partnership entitled to support, consider or approve provision for the maintenance of either spouse or either domestic partner, make provision for the disposition of property and liabilities of the parties, make provision for the allocation of the children as federal tax exemptions, make provision for any necessary continuing restraining orders including the provisions contained in RCW 9.41.800, make provision for the issuance within this action of the restraint provisions of a domestic violence protection order under chapter 26.50 RCW or an antiharassment protection order under chapter 10.14 RCW, and make provision for the change of name of any party.
     (2) Restraining orders issued under this section restraining or enjoining the person from molesting or disturbing another party, or from going onto the grounds of or entering the home, workplace, or school of the other party or the day care or school of any child, or prohibiting the person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of a location, shall prominently bear on the front page of the order the legend: VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL NOTICE OF ITS TERMS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER CHAPTER 26.50 RCW AND WILL SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST.
     (3) The court shall order that any restraining order bearing a criminal offense legend, any domestic violence protection order, or any antiharassment protection order granted under this section, in addition to the law enforcement information sheet or proof of service of the order, be forwarded by the clerk of the court on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order. Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall enter the order into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants. The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state.
     (4) If a restraining order issued pursuant to this section is modified or terminated, the clerk of the court shall notify the law enforcement agency specified in the order on or before the next judicial day. Upon receipt of notice that an order has been terminated, the law enforcement agency shall remove the order from any computer-based criminal intelligence system.

Sec. 1009   RCW 26.09.060 and 2000 c 119 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In a proceeding for:
     (a) Dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or a declaration of invalidity; or
     (b) Disposition of property or liabilities, maintenance, or support following dissolution of the marriage or the domestic partnership by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or absent domestic partner; either party may move for temporary maintenance or for temporary support of children entitled to support. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amounts requested.
     (2) As a part of a motion for temporary maintenance or support or by independent motion accompanied by affidavit, either party may request the court to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, providing relief proper in the circumstances, and restraining or enjoining any person from:
     (a) Transferring, removing, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and, if so restrained or enjoined, requiring him or her to notify the moving party of any proposed extraordinary expenditures made after the order is issued;
     (b) Molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or of any child;
     (c) Going onto the grounds of or entering the home, workplace, or school of the other party or the day care or school of any child upon a showing of the necessity therefor;
     (d) Knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance from a specified location; and
     (e) Removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court.
     (3) Either party may request a domestic violence protection order under chapter 26.50 RCW or an antiharassment protection order under chapter 10.14 RCW on a temporary basis. The court may grant any of the relief provided in RCW 26.50.060 except relief pertaining to residential provisions for the children which provisions shall be provided for under this chapter, and any of the relief provided in RCW 10.14.080. Ex parte orders issued under this subsection shall be effective for a fixed period not to exceed fourteen days, or upon court order, not to exceed twenty-four days if necessary to ensure that all temporary motions in the case can be heard at the same time.
     (4) In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of RCW 9.41.800.
     (5) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury could result if an order is not issued until the time for responding has elapsed.
     (6) The court may issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction and an order for temporary maintenance or support in such amounts and on such terms as are just and proper in the circumstances. The court may in its discretion waive the filing of the bond or the posting of security.
     (7) Restraining orders issued under this section restraining the person from molesting or disturbing another party, or from going onto the grounds of or entering the home, workplace, or school of the other party or the day care or school of any child, or prohibiting the person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of a location, shall prominently bear on the front page of the order the legend: VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER WITH ACTUAL NOTICE OF ITS TERMS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER CHAPTER 26.50 RCW AND WILL SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO ARREST.
     (8) The court shall order that any temporary restraining order bearing a criminal offense legend, any domestic violence protection order, or any antiharassment protection order granted under this section be forwarded by the clerk of the court on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order. Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall enter the order into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants. Entry into the computer-based criminal intelligence information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order. The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state.
     (9) If a restraining order issued pursuant to this section is modified or terminated, the clerk of the court shall notify the law enforcement agency specified in the order on or before the next judicial day. Upon receipt of notice that an order has been terminated, the law enforcement agency shall remove the order from any computer-based criminal intelligence system.
     (10) A temporary order, temporary restraining order, or preliminary injunction:
     (a) Does not prejudice the rights of a party or any child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding;
     (b) May be revoked or modified;
     (c) Terminates when the final decree is entered, except as provided under subsection (11) of this section, or when the petition for dissolution, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is dismissed;
     (d) May be entered in a proceeding for the modification of an existing decree.
     (11) Delinquent support payments accrued under an order for temporary support remain collectible and are not extinguished when a final decree is entered unless the decree contains specific language to the contrary. A support debt under a temporary order owed to the state for public assistance expenditures shall not be extinguished by the final decree if:
     (a) The obligor was given notice of the state's interest under chapter 74.20A RCW; or
     (b) The temporary order directs the obligor to make support payments to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry.

Sec. 1010   RCW 26.09.070 and 1989 c 375 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The parties to a marriage or a domestic partnership, in order to promote the amicable settlement of disputes attendant upon their separation or upon the filing of a petition for dissolution of their marriage or domestic partnership, a decree of legal separation, or declaration of invalidity of their marriage or domestic partnership, may enter into a written separation contract providing for the maintenance of either of them, the disposition of any property owned by both or either of them, the parenting plan and support for their children and for the release of each other from all obligation except that expressed in the contract.
     (2) If the parties to such contract elect to live separate and apart without any court decree, they may record such contract and cause notice thereof to be published in a legal newspaper of the county wherein the parties resided prior to their separation. Recording such contract and publishing notice of the making thereof shall constitute notice to all persons of such separation and of the facts contained in the recorded document.
     (3) If either or both of the parties to a separation contract shall at the time of the execution thereof, or at a subsequent time, petition the court for dissolution of their marriage or domestic partnership, for a decree of legal separation, or for a declaration of invalidity of their marriage or domestic partnership, the contract, except for those terms providing for a parenting plan for their children, shall be binding upon the court unless it finds, after considering the economic circumstances of the parties and any other relevant evidence produced by the parties on their own motion or on request of the court, that the separation contract was unfair at the time of its execution. Child support may be included in the separation contract and shall be reviewed in the subsequent proceeding for compliance with RCW 26.19.020.
     (4) If the court in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity finds that the separation contract was unfair at the time of its execution, it may make orders for the maintenance of either party, the disposition of their property and the discharge of their obligations.
     (5) Unless the separation contract provides to the contrary, the agreement shall be set forth in the decree of dissolution, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity, or filed in the action or made an exhibit and incorporated by reference, except that in all cases the terms of the parenting plan shall be set out in the decree, and the parties shall be ordered to comply with its terms.
     (6) Terms of the contract set forth or incorporated by reference in the decree may be enforced by all remedies available for the enforcement of a judgment, including contempt, and are enforceable as contract terms.
     (7) When the separation contract so provides, the decree may expressly preclude or limit modification of any provision for maintenance set forth in the decree. Terms of a separation contract pertaining to a parenting plan for the children and, in the absence of express provision to the contrary, terms providing for maintenance set forth or incorporated by reference in the decree are automatically modified by modification of the decree.
     (8) If at any time the parties to the separation contract by mutual agreement elect to terminate the separation contract they may do so without formality unless the contract was recorded as in subsection (2) of this section, in which case a statement should be filed terminating the contract.

Sec. 1011   RCW 26.09.080 and 1989 c 375 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     In a proceeding for dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, declaration of invalidity, or in a proceeding for disposition of property following dissolution of the marriage or the domestic partnership by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or absent domestic partner or lacked jurisdiction to dispose of the property, the court shall, without regard to ((marital)) misconduct, make such disposition of the property and the liabilities of the parties, either community or separate, as shall appear just and equitable after considering all relevant factors including, but not limited to:
     (1) The nature and extent of the community property;
     (2) The nature and extent of the separate property;
     (3) The duration of the marriage or domestic partnership; and
     (4) The economic circumstances of each spouse or domestic partner at the time the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live therein for reasonable periods to a spouse or domestic partner with whom the children reside the majority of the time.

Sec. 1012   RCW 26.09.090 and 1989 c 375 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, declaration of invalidity, or in a proceeding for maintenance following dissolution of the marriage or domestic partnership by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or absent domestic partner, the court may grant a maintenance order for either spouse or either domestic partner. The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, without regard to ((marital)) misconduct, after considering all relevant factors including but not limited to:
     (a) The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party;
     (b) The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his or her skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances;
     (c) The standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership;
     (d) The duration of the marriage or domestic partnership;
     (e) The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance; and
     (f) The ability of the spouse or domestic partner from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.

Sec. 1013   RCW 26.09.100 and 1991 sp.s. c 28 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, declaration of invalidity, maintenance, or child support, after considering all relevant factors but without regard to ((marital)) misconduct, the court shall order either or both parents owing a duty of support to any child of the marriage or the domestic partnership dependent upon either or both spouses or domestic partners to pay an amount determined under chapter 26.19 RCW.
     (2) The court may require automatic periodic adjustments or modifications of child support. That portion of any decree that requires periodic adjustments or modifications of child support shall use the provisions in chapter 26.19 RCW as the basis for the adjustment or modification. Provisions in the decree for periodic adjustment or modification shall not conflict with RCW 26.09.170 except that the decree may require periodic adjustments or modifications of support more frequently than the time periods established pursuant to RCW 26.09.170.
     (3) Upon motion of a party and without a substantial change of circumstances, the court shall modify the decree to comply with subsection (2) of this section as to installments accruing subsequent to entry of the court's order on the motion for modification.
     (4) The adjustment or modification provision may be modified by the court due to economic hardship consistent with the provisions of RCW 26.09.170(((4))) (5)(a).

Sec. 1014   RCW 26.09.110 and 1987 c 460 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     The court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of a minor or dependent child with respect to provision for the parenting plan in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership. The court shall enter an order for costs, fees, and disbursements in favor of the child's attorney. The order shall be made against either or both parents, except that, if both parties are indigent, the costs, fees, and disbursements shall be borne by the county.

Sec. 1015   RCW 26.09.120 and 1994 c 230 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The court shall order support payments, including ((spousal)) maintenance if child support is ordered, to be made to the Washington state support registry, or the person entitled to receive the payments under an order approved by the court as provided in RCW 26.23.050.
     (2) Maintenance payments, when ordered in an action where there is no dependent child, may be ordered to be paid to the person entitled to receive the payments, or the clerk of the court as trustee for remittance to the persons entitled to receive the payments.
     (3) If support or maintenance payments are made to the clerk of court, the clerk:
     (a) Shall maintain records listing the amount of payments, the date when payments are required to be made, and the names and addresses of the parties affected by the order;
     (b) May by local court rule accept only certified funds or cash as payment; and
     (c) Shall accept only certified funds or cash for five years in all cases after one check has been returned for nonsufficient funds or account closure.
     (4) The parties affected by the order shall inform the registry through which the payments are ordered to be paid of any change of address or of other conditions that may affect the administration of the order.

Sec. 1016   RCW 26.09.150 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 205 and 1989 c 375 s 30 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) A decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is final when entered, subject to the right of appeal. An appeal which does not challenge the finding that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken or was invalid, does not delay the finality of the dissolution or declaration of invalidity and either party may remarry or enter into a domestic partnership pending such an appeal.
     (2)(a) No earlier than six months after entry of a decree of legal separation, on motion of either party, the court shall convert the decree of legal separation to a decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. The clerk of court shall complete the certificate as provided for in RCW 70.58.200 on the form provided by the department of health. On or before the tenth day of each month, the clerk of the court shall forward to the state registrar of vital statistics the certificate of each decree of divorce, dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, annulment, or separate maintenance granted during the preceding month.
     (b) Once a month, the state registrar of vital statistics shall prepare a list of persons for whom a certificate of dissolution of domestic partnership was transmitted to the registrar and was not included in a previous list, and shall supply the list to the secretary of state.
     (3) Upon request of a party whose marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved or declared invalid, the court shall order a former name restored or the court may, in its discretion, order a change to another name.

Sec. 1017   RCW 26.09.170 and 2002 c 199 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (7) of RCW 26.09.070, the provisions of any decree respecting maintenance or support may be modified: (a) Only as to installments accruing subsequent to the petition for modification or motion for adjustment except motions to compel court-ordered adjustments, which shall be effective as of the first date specified in the decree for implementing the adjustment; and, (b) except as otherwise provided in subsections (5), (6), (9), and (10) of this section, only upon a showing of a substantial change of circumstances. The provisions as to property disposition may not be revoked or modified, unless the court finds the existence of conditions that justify the reopening of a judgment under the laws of this state.
     (2) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the decree the obligation to pay future maintenance is terminated upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving maintenance or registration of a new domestic partnership of the party receiving maintenance.
     (3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly provided in the decree, provisions for the support of a child are terminated by emancipation of the child or by the death of the parent obligated to support the child.
     (4) Unless expressly provided by an order of the superior court or a court of comparable jurisdiction, the support provisions of the order are terminated upon the marriage or registration of a domestic partnership to each other of parties to a paternity order, or upon remarriage or registration of a domestic partnership to each other of parties to a decree of dissolution. The remaining provisions of the order, including provisions establishing paternity, remain in effect.
     (5) An order of child support may be modified one year or more after it has been entered without showing a substantial change of circumstances:
     (a) If the order in practice works a severe economic hardship on either party or the child;
     (b) If a party requests an adjustment in an order for child support which was based on guidelines which determined the amount of support according to the child's age, and the child is no longer in the age category on which the current support amount was based;
     (c) If a child is still in high school, upon a finding that there is a need to extend support beyond the eighteenth birthday to complete high school; or
     (d) To add an automatic adjustment of support provision consistent with RCW 26.09.100.
     (6) An order or decree entered prior to June 7, 1984, may be modified without showing a substantial change of circumstances if the requested modification is to:
     (a) Require health insurance coverage for a child named therein; or
     (b) Modify an existing order for health insurance coverage.
     (7) An obligor's voluntary unemployment or voluntary underemployment, by itself, is not a substantial change of circumstances.
     (8) The department of social and health services may file an action to modify an order of child support if public assistance money is being paid to or for the benefit of the child and the child support order is twenty-five percent or more below the appropriate child support amount set forth in the standard calculation as defined in RCW 26.19.011 and reasons for the deviation are not set forth in the findings of fact or order. The determination of twenty-five percent or more shall be based on the current income of the parties and the department shall not be required to show a substantial change of circumstances if the reasons for the deviations were not set forth in the findings of fact or order.
     (9)(a) All child support decrees may be adjusted once every twenty-four months based upon changes in the income of the parents without a showing of substantially changed circumstances. Either party may initiate the adjustment by filing a motion and child support worksheets.
     (b) A party may petition for modification in cases of substantially changed circumstances under subsection (1) of this section at any time. However, if relief is granted under subsection (1) of this section, twenty-four months must pass before a motion for an adjustment under (a) of this subsection may be filed.
     (c) If, pursuant to (a) of this subsection or subsection (10) of this section, the court adjusts or modifies a child support obligation by more than thirty percent and the change would cause significant hardship, the court may implement the change in two equal increments, one at the time of the entry of the order and the second six months from the entry of the order. Twenty-four months must pass following the second change before a motion for an adjustment under (a) of this subsection may be filed.
     (d) A parent who is receiving transfer payments who receives a wage or salary increase may not bring a modification action pursuant to subsection (1) of this section alleging that increase constitutes a substantial change of circumstances.
     (e) The department of social and health services may file an action at any time to modify an order of child support in cases of substantially changed circumstances if public assistance money is being paid to or for the benefit of the child. The determination of the existence of substantially changed circumstances by the department that lead to the filing of an action to modify the order of child support is not binding upon the court.
     (10) An order of child support may be adjusted twenty-four months from the date of the entry of the decree or the last adjustment or modification, whichever is later, based upon changes in the economic table or standards in chapter 26.19 RCW.

Sec. 1018   RCW 26.09.210 and 1987 c 460 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     The court may interview the child in chambers to ascertain the child's wishes as to the child's residential schedule in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity. The court may permit counsel to be present at the interview. The court shall cause a record of the interview to be made and to be made part of the record in the case.
     The court may seek the advice of professional personnel whether or not they are employed on a regular basis by the court. The advice given shall be in writing and shall be made available by the court to counsel upon request. Counsel may call for cross-examination any professional personnel consulted by the court.

Sec. 1019   RCW 26.09.255 and 1987 c 460 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A relative((, as defined in RCW 9A.40.010,)) may bring civil action against any other relative if, with intent to deny access to a child by that relative of the child who has a right to physical custody of or visitation with the child or a parent with whom the child resides pursuant to a parenting plan order, the relative takes, entices, or conceals the child from that relative. The plaintiff may be awarded, in addition to any damages awarded by the court, the reasonable expenses incurred by the plaintiff in locating the child, including, but not limited to, investigative services and reasonable attorneys' fees.
     (2) "Relative" means an ancestor, descendant, or sibling including a relative of the same degree through marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption, or a spouse or domestic partner.

Sec. 1020   RCW 26.09.280 and 1991 c 367 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every action or proceeding to change, modify, or enforce any final order, judgment, or decree entered in any dissolution or legal separation or declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership, whether under this chapter or prior law, regarding the parenting plan or child support for the minor children of the marriage or the domestic partnership may be brought in the county where the minor children are then residing, or in the court in which the final order, judgment, or decree was entered, or in the county where the parent or other person who has the care, custody, or control of the children is then residing.

Sec. 1021   RCW 26.09.290 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 157 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever either of the parties in ((a divorce action)) an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership is, under the law, entitled to a final judgment, but by mistake, negligence, or inadvertence the same has not been signed, filed, or entered, if no appeal has been taken from the interlocutory order or motion for a new trial made, the court, on the motion of either party thereto or upon its own motion, may cause a final judgment to be signed, dated, filed, and entered therein granting the ((divorce)) dissolution as of the date when the same could have been given or made by the court if applied for. The court may cause such final judgment to be signed, dated, filed, and entered nunc pro tunc as aforesaid, even though a final judgment may have been previously entered where by mistake, negligence or inadvertence the same has not been signed, filed, or entered as soon as such final judgment, the parties to such action shall be deemed to have been restored to the status of single persons as of the date affixed to such judgment, and any marriage or any domestic partnership of either of such parties subsequent to six months after the granting of the interlocutory order as shown by the minutes of the court, and after the final judgment could have been entered under the law if applied for, shall be valid for all purposes as of the date affixed to such final judgment, upon the filing thereof.

Sec. 1022   RCW 26.09.310 and 1989 c 377 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     No health care provider or facility, or their agent, shall be liable for damages in any civil action brought by a parent or guardian based only on a lack of the parent or guardian's consent for medical care of a minor child, if consent to the care has been given by a parent or guardian of the minor. The immunity provided by this section shall apply regardless of whether:
     (1) The parents are married, unmarried, in a domestic partnership or not, or separated at the time of consent or treatment;
     (2) The consenting parent is, or is not, a custodial parent of the minor;
     (3) The giving of consent by a parent is, or is not, full performance of any agreement between the parents, or of any order or decree in any action entered pursuant to chapter 26.09 RCW;
     (4) The action or suit is brought by or on behalf of the nonconsenting parent, the minor child, or any other person.

Sec. 1023   RCW 26.10.050 and 1987 c 460 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:
     In a custody proceeding, the court may order either or both parents owing a duty of support to any child of the marriage or the domestic partnership dependent upon either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners to pay an amount reasonable or necessary for the child's support.

Sec. 1024   RCW 26.10.180 and 1989 c 375 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A relative((, as defined in RCW 9A.40.010,)) may bring civil action against any other relative who, with intent to deny access to a child by another relative of the child who has a right to physical custody of or visitation with the child, takes, entices, or conceals the child from that relative. The plaintiff may be awarded, in addition to any damages awarded by the court, the reasonable expenses incurred by the plaintiff in locating the child, including, but not limited to, investigative services and reasonable attorneys' fees.
     (2) "Relative" means an ancestor, descendant, or sibling including a relative of the same degree through marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption, or a spouse or domestic partner.

Sec. 1025   RCW 26.12.190 and 1991 c 367 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The family court shall have jurisdiction and full power in all pending cases to make, alter, modify, and enforce all temporary and permanent orders regarding the following: Parenting plans, child support, custody of children, visitation, possession of property, maintenance, contempt, custodial interference, and orders for attorneys' fees, suit money or costs as may appear just and equitable. Court commissioners or judges shall not have authority to require the parties to mediate disputes concerning child support.
     (2) Family court investigation, evaluation, mediation, treatment, and reconciliation services, and any other services may be used to assist the court to develop an order as the court deems necessary to preserve the marriage or the domestic partnership, implement an amicable settlement, and resolve the issues in controversy.

Sec. 1026   RCW 26.18.010 and 1993 c 426 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that there is an urgent need for vigorous enforcement of child support and ((spousal)) maintenance obligations, and that stronger and more efficient statutory remedies need to be established to supplement and complement the remedies provided in chapters 26.09, ((26.21)) 26.21A, 26.26, 74.20, and 74.20A RCW.

Sec. 1027   RCW 26.18.020 and 1993 c 426 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Dependent child" means any child for whom a support order has been established or for whom a duty of support is owed.
     (2) "Duty of ((spousal)) maintenance" means the duty to provide for the needs of a spouse or former spouse or domestic partner or former domestic partner imposed under chapter 26.09 RCW.
     (3) "Duty of support" means the duty to provide for the needs of a dependent child, which may include necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. The duty includes any obligation to make monetary payments, to pay expenses, including ((spousal)) maintenance in cases in which there is a dependent child, or to reimburse another person or an agency for the cost of necessary support furnished a dependent child. The duty may be imposed by court order, by operation of law, or otherwise.
     (4) "Obligee" means the custodian of a dependent child, the spouse or former spouse or domestic partner or former domestic partner, or person or agency, to whom a duty of support or duty of ((spousal)) maintenance is owed, or the person or agency to whom the right to receive or collect support or ((spousal)) maintenance has been assigned.
     (5) "Obligor" means the person owing a duty of support or duty of ((spousal)) maintenance.
     (6) "Support or maintenance order" means any judgment, decree, or order of support or ((spousal)) maintenance issued by the superior court or authorized agency of the state of Washington; or a judgment, decree, or other order of support or ((spousal)) maintenance issued by a court or agency of competent jurisdiction in another state or country, which has been registered or otherwise made enforceable in this state.
     (7) "Employer" includes the United States government, a state or local unit of government, and any person or entity who pays or owes earnings or remuneration for employment to the obligor.
     (8) "Earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal services or remuneration for employment, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, or otherwise, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law making the payments exempt from garnishment, attachment, or other process to satisfy support or ((spousal)) maintenance obligations, specifically includes periodic payments pursuant to pension or retirement programs, or insurance policies of any type, but does not include payments made under Title 50 RCW, except as provided in RCW 50.40.020 and 50.40.050, or Title 74 RCW.
     (9) "Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of an individual remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amount required by law to be withheld.
     (10) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
     (11) "Health insurance coverage" includes any coverage under which medical services are provided by an employer or a union whether that coverage is provided through a self-insurance program, under the employee retirement income security act of 1974, a commercial insurer pursuant to chapters 48.20 and 48.21 RCW, a health care service contractor pursuant to chapter 48.44 RCW, or a health maintenance organization pursuant to chapter 48.46 RCW, and the state through chapter 41.05 RCW.
     (12) "Insurer" means a commercial insurance company providing disability insurance under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, a health care service contractor providing health care coverage under chapter 48.44 RCW, a health maintenance organization providing comprehensive health care services under chapter 48.46 RCW, and shall also include any employer or union which is providing health insurance coverage on a self-insured basis.
     (13) "Remuneration for employment" means moneys due from or payable by the United States to an individual within the scope of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 659 and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 662(f).

Sec. 1028   RCW 26.18.030 and 1993 c 426 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The remedies provided in this chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other remedies provided by law.
     (2) This chapter applies to any dependent child, whether born before or after June 7, 1984, and regardless of the past or current marital status or domestic partnership status of the parents, and to a spouse or former spouse or domestic partner or former domestic partner.
     (3) This chapter shall be liberally construed to assure that all dependent children are adequately supported.

Sec. 1029   RCW 26.18.040 and 1993 c 426 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A proceeding to enforce a duty of support or ((spousal)) maintenance is commenced:
     (a) By filing a petition for an original action; or
     (b) By motion in an existing action or under an existing cause number.
     (2) Venue for the action is in the superior court of the county where the dependent child resides or is present, where the obligor or obligee resides, or where the prior support or maintenance order was entered. The petition or motion may be filed by the obligee, the state, or any agency providing care or support to the dependent child. A filing fee shall not be assessed in cases brought on behalf of the state of Washington.
     (3) The court retains continuing jurisdiction under this chapter until all duties of either support or ((spousal)) maintenance, or both, of the obligor, including arrearages, have been satisfied.

Sec. 1030   RCW 26.18.050 and 1993 c 426 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If an obligor fails to comply with a support or ((spousal)) maintenance order, a petition or motion may be filed without notice under RCW 26.18.040 to initiate a contempt action as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW. If the court finds there is reasonable cause to believe the obligor has failed to comply with a support or ((spousal)) maintenance order, the court may issue an order to show cause requiring the obligor to appear at a certain time and place for a hearing, at which time the obligor may appear to show cause why the relief requested should not be granted. A copy of the petition or motion shall be served on the obligor along with the order to show cause.
     (2) Service of the order to show cause shall be by personal service, or in the manner provided in the civil rules of superior court or applicable statute.
     (3) If the order to show cause served upon the obligor included a warning that an arrest warrant could be issued for failure to appear, the court may issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the obligor if the obligor fails to appear on the return date provided in the order.
     (4) If the obligor contends at the hearing that he or she lacked the means to comply with the support or ((spousal)) maintenance order, the obligor shall establish that he or she exercised due diligence in seeking employment, in conserving assets, or otherwise in rendering himself or herself able to comply with the court's order.
     (5) As provided in RCW 26.18.040, the court retains continuing jurisdiction under this chapter and may use a contempt action to enforce a support or maintenance order until the obligor satisfies all duties of support, including arrearages, that accrued pursuant to the support or maintenance order.

Sec. 1031   RCW 26.18.070 and 1994 c 230 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A petition or motion seeking a mandatory wage assignment in an action under RCW 26.18.040 may be filed by an obligee if the obligor is:
     (a) Subject to a support order allowing immediate income withholding; or
     (b) More than fifteen days past due in child support or ((spousal)) maintenance payments in an amount equal to or greater than the obligation payable for one month.
     (2) The petition or motion shall include a sworn statement by the obligee, stating the facts authorizing the issuance of the wage assignment order, including:
     (a) That the obligor, stating his or her name and residence, is:
     (i) Subject to a support order allowing immediate income withholding; or
     (ii) More than fifteen days past due in child support or ((spousal)) maintenance payments in an amount equal to or greater than the obligation payable for one month;
     (b) A description of the terms of the order requiring payment of support or ((spousal)) maintenance, and the amount past due, if any;
     (c) The name and address of the obligor's employer;
     (d) That notice by personal service or any form of mail requiring a return receipt, has been provided to the obligor at least fifteen days prior to the obligee seeking a mandatory wage assignment, unless the order for support or maintenance states that the obligee may seek a mandatory wage assignment without notice to the obligor; and
     (e) In cases not filed by the state, whether the obligee has received public assistance from any source and, if the obligee has received public assistance, that the department of social and health services has been notified in writing of the pending action.
     (3) If the court in which a mandatory wage assignment is sought does not already have a copy of the support or maintenance order in the court file, then the obligee shall attach a copy of the support or maintenance order to the petition or motion seeking the wage assignment.

Sec. 1032   RCW 26.18.090 and 1993 c 426 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The wage assignment order in RCW 26.18.080 shall include:
     (a) The maximum amount of current support or ((spousal)) maintenance, if any, to be withheld from the obligor's earnings each month, or from each earnings disbursement; and
     (b) The total amount of the arrearage or reimbursement judgment previously entered by the court, if any, together with interest, if any.
     (2) The total amount to be withheld from the obligor's earnings each month, or from each earnings disbursement, shall not exceed fifty percent of the disposable earnings of the obligor. If the amounts to be paid toward the arrearage are specified in the support or ((spousal)) maintenance order, then the maximum amount to be withheld is the sum of: Either the current support or ((spousal)) maintenance ordered, or both; and the amount ordered to be paid toward the arrearage, or fifty percent of the disposable earnings of the obligor, whichever is less.
     (3) The provisions of RCW 6.27.150 do not apply to wage assignments for child support or ((spousal)) maintenance authorized under this chapter, but fifty percent of the disposable earnings of the obligor are exempt, and may be disbursed to the obligor.
     (4) If an obligor is subject to two or more attachments for child support on account of different obligees, the employer shall, if the nonexempt portion of the obligor's earnings is not sufficient to respond fully to all the attachments, apportion the obligor's nonexempt disposable earnings between or among the various obligees equally. Any obligee may seek a court order reapportioning the obligor's nonexempt disposable earnings upon notice to all interested obligees. Notice shall be by personal service, or in the manner provided by the civil rules of superior court or applicable statute.
     (5) If an obligor is subject to two or more attachments for ((spousal)) maintenance on account of different obligees, the employer shall, if the nonexempt portion of the obligor's earnings is not sufficient to respond fully to all the attachments, apportion the obligor's nonexempt disposable earnings between or among the various obligees equally. An obligee may seek a court order reapportioning the obligor's nonexempt disposable earnings upon notice to all interested obligees. Notice shall be by personal service, or in the manner provided by the civil rules of superior court or applicable statute.

Sec. 1033   RCW 26.18.100 and 1998 c 77 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The wage assignment order shall be substantially in the following form:

WHETHER OR NOT YOU OWE ANYTHING TO THE OBLIGOR, YOUR FAILURE TO ANSWER AS REQUIRED MAY MAKE YOU LIABLE FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT MONEYS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WITHHELD FROM THE OBLIGOR'S EARNINGS OR SUBJECT TO CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Sec. 1034   RCW 26.18.110 and 1998 c 77 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) An employer upon whom service of a wage assignment order has been made shall answer the order by sworn affidavit within twenty days after the date of service. The answer shall state whether the obligor is employed by or receives earnings or other remuneration from the employer, whether the employer will honor the wage assignment order, and whether there are either multiple child support or ((spousal)) maintenance attachments, or both, against the obligor.
     (2) If the employer possesses any earnings or remuneration due and owing to the obligor, the earnings subject to the wage assignment order shall be withheld immediately upon receipt of the wage assignment order. The withheld earnings shall be delivered to the Washington state support registry or, if the wage assignment order is to satisfy a duty of ((spousal)) maintenance, to the addressee specified in the assignment within five working days of each regular pay interval.
     (3) The employer shall continue to withhold the ordered amounts from nonexempt earnings or remuneration of the obligor until notified by:
     (a) The court that the wage assignment has been modified or terminated; or
     (b) The Washington state support registry or obligee that the accrued child support or ((spousal)) maintenance debt has been paid, provided the wage assignment order contains the language set forth under RCW 26.18.100(3)(b). The employer shall promptly notify the addressee specified in the assignment when the employee is no longer employed. If the employer no longer employs the employee, the wage assignment order shall remain in effect for one year after the employee has left the employment or the employer has been in possession of any earnings or remuneration owed to the employee, whichever is later. The employer shall continue to hold the wage assignment order during that period. If the employee returns to the employer's employment during the one-year period the employer shall immediately begin to withhold the employee's earnings or remuneration according to the terms of the wage assignment order. If the employee has not returned within one year, the wage assignment shall cease to have effect at the expiration of the one-year period, unless the employer continues to owe remuneration for employment to the obligor.
     (4) The employer may deduct a processing fee from the remainder of the employee's earnings after withholding under the wage assignment order, even if the remainder is exempt under RCW 26.18.090. The processing fee may not exceed (a) ten dollars for the first disbursement made by the employer to the Washington state support registry; and (b) one dollar for each subsequent disbursement to the clerk.
     (5) An order for wage assignment for support for a dependent child entered under this chapter shall have priority over any other wage assignment or garnishment, except for another wage assignment or garnishment for child support, or order to withhold and deliver under chapter 74.20A RCW. An order for wage assignment for spousal maintenance entered under this chapter shall have priority over any other wage assignment or garnishment, except for a wage assignment, garnishment, or order to withhold and deliver under chapter 74.20A RCW for support of a dependent child, and except for another wage assignment or garnishment for ((spousal)) maintenance.
     (6) An employer who fails to withhold earnings as required by a wage assignment issued under this chapter may be held liable to the obligee for one hundred percent of the support or ((spousal)) maintenance debt, or the amount of support or ((spousal)) maintenance moneys that should have been withheld from the employee's earnings whichever is the lesser amount, if the employer:
     (a) Fails or refuses, after being served with a wage assignment order, to deduct and promptly remit from the unpaid earnings the amounts of money required in the order;
     (b) Fails or refuses to submit an answer to the notice of wage assignment after being served; or
     (c) Is unwilling to comply with the other requirements of this section.
     Liability may be established in superior court. Awards in superior court shall include costs, interest under RCW 19.52.020 and 4.56.110, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
     (7) No employer who complies with a wage assignment issued under this chapter may be liable to the employee for wrongful withholding.
     (8) No employer may discharge, discipline, or refuse to hire an employee because of the entry or service of a wage assignment issued and executed under this chapter. If an employer discharges, disciplines, or refuses to hire an employee in violation of this section, the employee or person shall have a cause of action against the employer. The employer shall be liable for double the amount of damages suffered as a result of the violation and for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars for each violation. The employer may also be ordered to hire, rehire, or reinstate the aggrieved individual.
     (9) For wage assignments payable to the Washington state support registry, an employer may combine amounts withheld from various employees into a single payment to the Washington state support registry, if the payment includes a listing of the amounts attributable to each employee and other information as required by the registry.
     (10) An employer shall deliver a copy of the wage assignment order to the obligor as soon as is reasonably possible.

Sec. 1035   RCW 26.18.120 and 1993 c 426 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The answer of the employer shall be made on forms, served on the employer with the wage assignment order, substantially as follows:

Sec. 1036   RCW 26.18.140 and 1994 c 230 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, in a hearing to quash, modify, or terminate the wage assignment order, the court may grant relief only upon a showing that the wage assignment order causes extreme hardship or substantial injustice. Satisfaction by the obligor of all past due payments subsequent to the issuance of the wage assignment order is not grounds to quash, modify, or terminate the wage assignment order. If a wage assignment order has been in operation for twelve consecutive months and the obligor's support or ((spousal)) maintenance obligation is current, the court may terminate the order upon motion of the obligor unless the obligee can show good cause as to why the wage assignment order should remain in effect.
     (2) The court may enter an order delaying, modifying, or terminating the wage assignment order and order the obligor to make payments directly to the obligee as provided in RCW 26.23.050(2).

Sec. 1037   RCW 26.18.150 and 1993 c 426 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In any action to enforce a support or ((spousal)) maintenance order under Title 26 RCW, the court may, in its discretion, order a parent obligated to pay support for a minor child or person owing a duty of ((spousal)) maintenance to post a bond or other security with the court. The bond or other security shall be in the amount of support or ((spousal)) maintenance due for a two-year period. The bond or other security is subject to approval by the court. The bond shall include the name and address of the issuer. If the bond is canceled, any person issuing a bond under this section shall notify the court and the person entitled to receive payment under the order.
     (2) If the obligor fails to make payments as required under the court order, the person entitled to receive payment may recover on the bond or other security in the existing proceeding. The court may, after notice and hearing, increase the amount of the bond or other security. Failure to comply with the court's order to obtain and maintain a bond or other security may be treated as contempt of court.

Sec. 1038   RCW 26.19.071 and 1997 c 59 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Consideration of all income. All income and resources of each parent's household shall be disclosed and considered by the court when the court determines the child support obligation of each parent. Only the income of the parents of the children whose support is at issue shall be calculated for purposes of calculating the basic support obligation. Income and resources of any other person shall not be included in calculating the basic support obligation.
     (2) Verification of income. Tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs shall be provided to verify income and deductions. Other sufficient verification shall be required for income and deductions which do not appear on tax returns or paystubs.
     (3) Income sources included in gross monthly income. Except as specifically excluded in subsection (4) of this section, monthly gross income shall include income from any source, including:
     (a) Salaries;
     (b) Wages;
     (c) Commissions;
     (d) Deferred compensation;
     (e) Overtime;
     (f) Contract-related benefits;
     (g) Income from second jobs;
     (h) Dividends;
     (i) Interest;
     (j) Trust income;
     (k) Severance pay;
     (l) Annuities;
     (m) Capital gains;
     (n) Pension retirement benefits;
     (o) Workers' compensation;
     (p) Unemployment benefits;
     (q) ((Spousal)) Maintenance actually received;
     (r) Bonuses;
     (s) Social security benefits; and
     (t) Disability insurance benefits.
     (4) Income sources excluded from gross monthly income. The following income and resources shall be disclosed but shall not be included in gross income:
     (a) Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner or income of other adults in the household;
     (b) Child support received from other relationships;
     (c) Gifts and prizes;
     (d) Temporary assistance for needy families;
     (e) Supplemental security income;
     (f) General assistance; and
     (g) Food stamps.
     Receipt of income and resources from temporary assistance for needy families, supplemental security income, general assistance, and food stamps shall not be a reason to deviate from the standard calculation.
     (5) Determination of net income. The following expenses shall be disclosed and deducted from gross monthly income to calculate net monthly income:
     (a) Federal and state income taxes;
     (b) Federal insurance contributions act deductions;
     (c) Mandatory pension plan payments;
     (d) Mandatory union or professional dues;
     (e) State industrial insurance premiums;
     (f) Court-ordered ((spousal)) maintenance to the extent actually paid;
     (g) Up to two thousand dollars per year in voluntary pension payments actually made if the contributions were made for the two tax years preceding the earlier of the (i) tax year in which the parties separated with intent to live separate and apart or (ii) tax year in which the parties filed for dissolution; and
     (h) Normal business expenses and self-employment taxes for self-employed persons. Justification shall be required for any business expense deduction about which there is disagreement.
     Items deducted from gross income under this subsection shall not be a reason to deviate from the standard calculation.
     (6) Imputation of income. The court shall impute income to a parent when the parent is voluntarily unemployed or voluntarily underemployed. The court shall determine whether the parent is voluntarily underemployed or voluntarily unemployed based upon that parent's work history, education, health, and age, or any other relevant factors. A court shall not impute income to a parent who is gainfully employed on a full-time basis, unless the court finds that the parent is voluntarily underemployed and finds that the parent is purposely underemployed to reduce the parent's child support obligation. Income shall not be imputed for an unemployable parent. Income shall not be imputed to a parent to the extent the parent is unemployed or significantly underemployed due to the parent's efforts to comply with court-ordered reunification efforts under chapter 13.34 RCW or under a voluntary placement agreement with an agency supervising the child. In the absence of information to the contrary, a parent's imputed income shall be based on the median income of year-round full-time workers as derived from the United States bureau of census, current populations reports, or such replacement report as published by the bureau of census.

Sec. 1039   RCW 26.19.075 and 1997 c 59 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Reasons for deviation from the standard calculation include but are not limited to the following:
     (a) Sources of income and tax planning. The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following:
     (i) Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner if the parent who is married to the new spouse or in a partnership with a new domestic partner is asking for a deviation based on any other reason. Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;
     (ii) Income of other adults in the household if the parent who is living with the other adult is asking for a deviation based on any other reason. Income of the other adults in the household is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;
     (iii) Child support actually received from other relationships;
     (iv) Gifts;
     (v) Prizes;
     (vi) Possession of wealth, including but not limited to savings, investments, real estate holdings and business interests, vehicles, boats, pensions, bank accounts, insurance plans, or other assets;
     (vii) Extraordinary income of a child; or
     (viii) Tax planning considerations. A deviation for tax planning may be granted only if the child would not receive a lesser economic benefit due to the tax planning.
     (b) Nonrecurring income. The court may deviate from the standard calculation based on a finding that a particular source of income included in the calculation of the basic support obligation is not a recurring source of income. Depending on the circumstances, nonrecurring income may include overtime, contract-related benefits, bonuses, or income from second jobs. Deviations for nonrecurring income shall be based on a review of the nonrecurring income received in the previous two calendar years.
     (c) Debt and high expenses. The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following expenses:
     (i) Extraordinary debt not voluntarily incurred;
     (ii) A significant disparity in the living costs of the parents due to conditions beyond their control;
     (iii) Special needs of disabled children;
     (iv) Special medical, educational, or psychological needs of the children; or
     (v) Costs incurred or anticipated to be incurred by the parents in compliance with court-ordered reunification efforts under chapter 13.34 RCW or under a voluntary placement agreement with an agency supervising the child.
     (d) Residential schedule. The court may deviate from the standard calculation if the child spends a significant amount of time with the parent who is obligated to make a support transfer payment. The court may not deviate on that basis if the deviation will result in insufficient funds in the household receiving the support to meet the basic needs of the child or if the child is receiving temporary assistance for needy families. When determining the amount of the deviation, the court shall consider evidence concerning the increased expenses to a parent making support transfer payments resulting from the significant amount of time spent with that parent and shall consider the decreased expenses, if any, to the party receiving the support resulting from the significant amount of time the child spends with the parent making the support transfer payment.
     (e) Children from other relationships. The court may deviate from the standard calculation when either or both of the parents before the court have children from other relationships to whom the parent owes a duty of support.
     (i) The child support schedule shall be applied to the mother, father, and children of the family before the court to determine the presumptive amount of support.
     (ii) Children from other relationships shall not be counted in the number of children for purposes of determining the basic support obligation and the standard calculation.
     (iii) When considering a deviation from the standard calculation for children from other relationships, the court may consider only other children to whom the parent owes a duty of support. The court may consider court-ordered payments of child support for children from other relationships only to the extent that the support is actually paid.
     (iv) When the court has determined that either or both parents have children from other relationships, deviations under this section shall be based on consideration of the total circumstances of both households. All child support obligations paid, received, and owed for all children shall be disclosed and considered.
     (2) All income and resources of the parties before the court, new spouses or new domestic partners, and other adults in the households shall be disclosed and considered as provided in this section. The presumptive amount of support shall be determined according to the child support schedule. Unless specific reasons for deviation are set forth in the written findings of fact and are supported by the evidence, the court shall order each parent to pay the amount of support determined by using the standard calculation.
     (3) The court shall enter findings that specify reasons for any deviation or any denial of a party's request for any deviation from the standard calculation made by the court. The court shall not consider reasons for deviation until the court determines the standard calculation for each parent.
     (4) When reasons exist for deviation, the court shall exercise discretion in considering the extent to which the factors would affect the support obligation.
     (5) Agreement of the parties is not by itself adequate reason for any deviations from the standard calculation.

Sec. 1040   RCW 26.20.035 and 2002 c 331 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who is able to provide support, or has the ability to earn the means to provide support, and who:
     (a) Willfully omits to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance to a child dependent upon him or her; or
     (b) Willfully omits to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance to his or her spouse or his or her domestic partner,
is guilty of the crime of family nonsupport.
     (2) A parent of a newborn who transfers the newborn to a qualified person at an appropriate location pursuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.
     (3) The crime of family nonsupport is a gross misdemeanor under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

Sec. 1041   RCW 26.20.071 and 1963 c 10 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     In any proceedings relating to nonsupport or family desertion the laws attaching a privilege against the disclosure of communications between ((husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners shall be inapplicable and both ((husband and wife)) spouses or domestic partners in such proceedings shall be competent witnesses to testify to any relevant matter, including marriage, domestic partnership, and parentage.

Sec. 1042   RCW 26.20.080 and 1984 c 260 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:
     Proof of the nonsupport of a spouse or domestic partner or of a child or children, or the omission to furnish necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance for a spouse or domestic partner, or for a child or children, is prima facie evidence that the nonsupport or omission to furnish food, clothing, shelter, or medical attendance is wilful. The provisions of RCW 26.20.030 and 26.20.035 are applicable regardless of the marital or domestic partnership status of the person who has a child dependent upon him or her, and regardless of the nonexistence of any decree requiring payment of support or maintenance.

Sec. 1043   RCW 26.21A.010 and 2002 c 198 s 102 are each amended to read as follows:
     In this chapter:
     (1) "Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of majority, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.
     (2) "Child support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of majority under the law of the issuing state.
     (3) "Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, domestic partner, former domestic partner, or former spouse, including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support.
     (4) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support and, if a child is less than six months old, the state in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the six-month or other period.
     (5) "Income" includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this state.
     (6) "Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor, as defined by RCW 50.04.080, to withhold support from the income of the obligor.
     (7) "Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter.
     (8) "Initiating tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in an initiating state.
     (9) "Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.
     (10) "Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.
     (11) "Law" includes decisional and statutory law and rules having the force of law.
     (12) "Obligee" means:
     (a) An individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage has been rendered;
     (b) A state or political subdivision to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee; or
     (c) An individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child.
     (13) "Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a decedent:
     (a) Who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;
     (b) Who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; or
     (c) Who is liable under a support order.
     (14) "Person" means: An individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or commercial entity.
     (15) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
     (16) "Register" means to record or file a support order or judgment determining parentage in the appropriate location for the recording or filing of foreign judgments generally or foreign support orders specifically.
     (17) "Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order is registered.
     (18) "Responding state" means a state in which a proceeding is filed or to which a proceeding is forwarded for filing from an initiating state under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter.
     (19) "Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state.
     (20) "Spousal or domestic partner support order" means a support order for a spouse or domestic partner or former domestic partner or former spouse of the obligor.
     (21) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes:
     (a) An Indian tribe; and
     (b) A foreign country or political subdivision that:
     (i) Has been declared to be a foreign reciprocating country or political subdivision under federal law;
     (ii) Has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state as provided in RCW 26.21A.235; or
     (iii) Has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this chapter.
     (22) "Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek:
     (a) Enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;
     (b) Establishment or modification of child support;
     (c) Determination of parentage;
     (d) Location of obligors or their assets; or
     (e) Determination of the controlling child support order.
     (23) "Support order" means a judgment, decree, order, or directive, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued by a tribunal for the benefit of a child, a spouse or domestic partner, or a former spouse or former domestic partner, that provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, or reimbursement, and may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, attorneys' fees, and other relief.
     (24) "Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage.

Sec. 1044   RCW 26.21A.150 and 2002 c 198 s 211 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal or domestic partner support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal or domestic partner support order throughout the existence of the support obligation.
     (2) A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal or domestic partner support order issued by a tribunal of another state having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state.
     (3) A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal or domestic partner support order may serve as:
     (a) An initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal or domestic partner support order issued in this state; or
     (b) A responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal or domestic partner support order.

Sec. 1045   RCW 26.21A.275 and 2002 c 198 s 316 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The physical presence of a nonresident party who is an individual in a tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage.
     (2) An affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, or a document incorporated by reference in any of them, that would not be excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under penalty of perjury by a party or witness residing in another state.
     (3) A copy of the record of child support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made.
     (4) Copies of bills for testing for parentage, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary.
     (5) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a tribunal of this state by telephone, telecopier, or other means that do not provide an original record may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.
     (6) In a proceeding under this chapter, a tribunal of this state shall permit a party or witness residing in another state to be deposed or to testify under penalty of perjury by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means at a designated tribunal or other location in that state. A tribunal of this state shall cooperate with tribunals of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
     (7) If a party called to testify at a civil hearing refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the trier of fact may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.
     (8) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses or domestic partners does not apply in a proceeding under this chapter.
     (9) The defense of immunity based on the relationship of ((husband and wife)) spouses or relationship of domestic partners or parent and child does not apply in a proceeding under this chapter.
     (10) A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage of the child.

Sec. 1046   RCW 26.09.015 and 2007 c 496 s 602 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In any proceeding under this chapter, the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing. The purpose of the mediation proceeding shall be to reduce acrimony which may exist between the parties and to develop an agreement assuring the child's close and continuing contact with both parents after the marriage or the domestic partnership is dissolved. The mediator shall use his or her best efforts to effect a settlement of the dispute.
     (2) Each superior court may make available a mediator. The mediator may be a member of the professional staff of a family court or mental health services agency, or may be any other person or agency designated by the court. In order to provide mediation services, the court is not required to institute a family court.
     (3)(a) Mediation proceedings under this chapter shall be governed in all respects by chapter 7.07 RCW, except as follows:
     (i) Mediation communications in postdecree mediations mandated by a parenting plan are admissible in subsequent proceedings for the limited purpose of proving:
     (A) Abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, or unlawful harassment as defined in RCW 9A.46.020(1), of a child;
     (B) Abuse or unlawful harassment as defined in RCW 9A.46.020(1), of a family or household member as defined in RCW 26.50.010(2); or
     (C) That a parent used or frustrated the dispute resolution process without good reason for purposes of RCW 26.09.184(4)(d).
     (ii) If a postdecree mediation-arbitration proceeding is required pursuant to a parenting plan and the same person acts as both mediator and arbitrator, mediation communications in the mediation phase of such a proceeding may be admitted during the arbitration phase, and shall be admissible in the judicial review of such a proceeding under RCW 26.09.184(4)(e) to the extent necessary for such review to be effective.
     (b) None of the exceptions under (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection shall subject a mediator to compulsory process to testify except by court order for good cause shown, taking into consideration the need for the mediator's testimony and the interest in the mediator maintaining an appearance of impartiality. If a mediation communication is not privileged under (a)(i) of this subsection or that portion of (a)(ii) of this subsection pertaining to judicial review, only the portion of the communication necessary for the application of the exception may be admitted, and such admission of evidence shall not render any other mediation communication discoverable or admissible except as may be provided in chapter 7.07 RCW.
     (4) The mediator shall assess the needs and interests of the child or children involved in the controversy and may interview the child or children if the mediator deems such interview appropriate or necessary.
     (5) Any agreement reached by the parties as a result of mediation shall be reported to the court and to counsel for the parties by the mediator on the day set for mediation or any time thereafter designated by the court.

Sec. 1047   RCW 26.09.015 and 2007 c 496 s 602 and 2007 c 496 s 501 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) In any proceeding under this chapter, the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing. The purpose of the mediation proceeding shall be to reduce acrimony which may exist between the parties and to develop an agreement assuring the child's close and continuing contact with both parents after the marriage or the domestic partnership is dissolved. The mediator shall use his or her best efforts to effect a settlement of the dispute.
     (2)(a) Each superior court may make available a mediator. The court shall use the most cost-effective mediation services that are readily available unless there is good cause to access alternative providers. The mediator may be a member of the professional staff of a family court or mental health services agency, or may be any other person or agency designated by the court. In order to provide mediation services, the court is not required to institute a family court.
     (b) In any proceeding involving issues relating to residential time or other matters governed by a parenting plan, the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing. Counties may, and to the extent state funding is provided therefor counties shall, provide both predecree and postdecree mediation at reduced or waived fee to the parties within one year of the filing of the dissolution petition.
     (3)(a) Mediation proceedings under this chapter shall be governed in all respects by chapter 7.07 RCW, except as follows:
     (i) Mediation communications in postdecree mediations mandated by a parenting plan are admissible in subsequent proceedings for the limited purpose of proving:
     (A) Abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, or unlawful harassment as defined in RCW 9A.46.020(1), of a child;
     (B) Abuse or unlawful harassment as defined in RCW 9A.46.020(1), of a family or household member as defined in RCW 26.50.010(2); or
     (C) That a parent used or frustrated the dispute resolution process without good reason for purposes of RCW 26.09.184(4)(d).
     (ii) If a postdecree mediation-arbitration proceeding is required pursuant to a parenting plan and the same person acts as both mediator and arbitrator, mediation communications in the mediation phase of such a proceeding may be admitted during the arbitration phase, and shall be admissible in the judicial review of such a proceeding under RCW 26.09.184(4)(e) to the extent necessary for such review to be effective.
     (b) None of the exceptions under (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection shall subject a mediator to compulsory process to testify except by court order for good cause shown, taking into consideration the need for the mediator's testimony and the interest in the mediator maintaining an appearance of impartiality. If a mediation communication is not privileged under (a)(i) of this subsection or that portion of (a)(ii) of this subsection pertaining to judicial review, only the portion of the communication necessary for the application of the exception may be admitted, and such admission of evidence shall not render any other mediation communication discoverable or admissible except as may be provided in chapter 7.07 RCW.
     (4) The mediator shall assess the needs and interests of the child or children involved in the controversy and may interview the child or children if the mediator deems such interview appropriate or necessary.
     (5) Any agreement reached by the parties as a result of mediation shall be reported to the court and to counsel for the parties by the mediator on the day set for mediation or any time thereafter designated by the court.

Sec. 1048   RCW 26.09.194 and 1987 c 460 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A parent seeking a temporary order relating to parenting shall file and serve a proposed temporary parenting plan by motion. The other parent, if contesting the proposed temporary parenting plan, shall file and serve a responsive proposed parenting plan. Either parent may move to have a proposed temporary parenting plan entered as part of a temporary order. The parents may enter an agreed temporary parenting plan at any time as part of a temporary order. The proposed temporary parenting plan may be supported by relevant evidence and shall be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration which shall state at a minimum the following:
     (a) The name, address, and length of residence with the person or persons with whom the child has lived for the preceding twelve months;
     (b) The performance by each parent during the last twelve months of the parenting functions relating to the daily needs of the child;
     (c) The parents' work and child-care schedules for the preceding twelve months;
     (d) The parents' current work and child-care schedules; and
     (e) Any of the circumstances set forth in RCW 26.09.191 that are likely to pose a serious risk to the child and that warrant limitation on the award to a parent of temporary residence or time with the child pending entry of a permanent parenting plan.
     (2) At the hearing, the court shall enter a temporary parenting order incorporating a temporary parenting plan which includes:
     (a) A schedule for the child's time with each parent when appropriate;
     (b) Designation of a temporary residence for the child;
     (c) Allocation of decision-making authority, if any. Absent allocation of decision-making authority consistent with RCW 26.09.187(2), neither party shall make any decision for the child other than those relating to day-to-day or emergency care of the child, which shall be made by the party who is present with the child;
     (d) Provisions for temporary support for the child; and
     (e) Restraining orders, if applicable, under RCW 26.09.060.
     (3) A parent may make a motion for an order to show cause and the court may enter a temporary order, including a temporary parenting plan, upon a showing of necessity.
     (4) A parent may move for amendment of a temporary parenting plan, and the court may order amendment to the temporary parenting plan, if the amendment conforms to the limitations of RCW 26.09.191 and is in the best interest of the child.
     (5) If a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or dissolution of domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity is dismissed, any temporary order or temporary parenting plan is vacated.

Sec. 1049   RCW 26.12.172 and 1994 c 267 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any court rules adopted for the implementation of parenting seminars shall include the following provisions:
     (1) In no case shall opposing parties be required to attend seminars together;
     (2) Upon a showing of domestic violence or abuse which would not require mutual decision making pursuant to RCW 26.09.191, or that a parent's attendance at the seminar is not in the children's best interests, the court shall either:
     (a) Waive the requirement of completion of the seminar; or
     (b) Provide an alternative, voluntary parenting seminar for battered spouses or battered domestic partners; and
     (3) The court may waive the seminar for good cause.

Sec. 1050   RCW 26.12.260 and 2007 c 496 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) After July 1, 2009, but no later than November 1, 2009, a county may, and to the extent state funding is provided to meet the minimum requirements of the program a county shall, create a program to provide services to all parties involved in proceedings under chapter 26.09 RCW. Minimum components of this program shall include: (a) An individual to serve as an initial point of contact for parties filing petitions for dissolutions or legal separations under chapter 26.09 RCW; (b) informing parties about courthouse facilitation programs and orientations; (c) informing parties of alternatives to filing a dissolution petition, such as marriage or domestic partnership counseling; (d) informing parties of alternatives to litigation including counseling, legal separation, and mediation services if appropriate; (e) informing parties of supportive family services available in the community; (f) screening for referral for services in the areas of domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010, child abuse, substance abuse, and mental health; and (g) assistance to the court in superior court cases filed under chapter 26.09 RCW.
     (2) This program shall not provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship or privilege is created, by implication or by inference, between persons providing basic information under this section and the participants in the program.
     (3) The legislative authority of any county may impose user fees or may impose a surcharge of up to twenty dollars on only those superior court cases filed under this title, or both, to pay for the expenses of this 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. The program shall provide services to indigent persons at no expense.
     (4) Persons who implement the program shall be appointed in the same manner as investigators, stenographers, and clerks as described in RCW 26.12.050.
     (5) If the county has a program under this section, any petition under RCW 26.09.020 must allege that the moving party met and conferred with the program prior to the filing of the petition.
     (6) If the county has a program under this section, parties shall meet and confer with the program prior to participation in mediation under RCW 26.09.016.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1101   A new section is added to chapter 26.60 RCW to read as follows:
     A legal union of two persons of the same sex, other than a marriage, that was validly formed in another jurisdiction, and that is substantially equivalent to a domestic partnership under this chapter, shall be recognized as a valid domestic partnership in this state regardless of whether it bears the name domestic partnership.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1201   A new section is added to chapter 26.60 RCW to read as follows:
     Whenever the term "domestic partnership" is used in the Revised Code of Washington it shall be defined to mean "state registered domestic partnership" and whenever the term "domestic partner" is used in the Revised Code of Washington it shall be defined to mean "state registered domestic partner."

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1301   Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1302   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1303   By January 1, 2009, affected agencies shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1304   Section 1046 of this act expires January 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1305   Section 1047 of this act takes effect January 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1306   Section 1050 of this act takes effect July 1, 2009.