Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Judiciary Committee |
HB 1962
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Title: An act relating to disclosure of process server social security numbers.
Brief Description: Regulating disclosure of process server social security numbers.
Sponsors: Representatives Griffey, Peterson, Harmsworth, Wilson, Scott, Van Werven, Stokesbary, Condotta and Hayes.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/15
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:
Under court rule, a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, or any non-party over the age of 18 who is competent to be a witness is authorized to serve legal process. If a person is serving process for a fee, statute requires that the person must be over the age of 18, a Washington resident, and registered with the auditor of the county in which the process server resides or operates his or her principal place of business.
County auditors are required to develop a process server registration processes and may collect an annual registration fee of up to $10. The auditor is required to use a form in the registration process for the purpose of identifying and locating the registered process server. The form must include the process server's name, birthdate, and social security number, as well as the process server's business name, business address, and business telephone number. Each process server is assigned a number and the county auditor maintains a register of process servers.
Summary of Bill:
A legislative finding is made that the dissemination of social security numbers of process servers is not in the public interest.
County auditors collecting social security numbers from registering process servers are prohibited from displaying or releasing a process server's social security number on any document or website issued or maintained by the auditor. Social security numbers of process servers are confidential, exempt from public inspection and copying, and cannot be disclosed unless disclosure is required under federal law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.