(1)(a) The legislature requests that the supreme court convene and support a task force to establish statewide protocols for dissolution cases.

     (b) The task force shall develop: (i) Clear and concise dispute resolution procedures; (ii) in conjunction with the office of crime victims advocacy, a sexual assault training curriculum; (iii) consistent standards for parenting evaluators; and (iv) a domestic violence training curriculum for individuals making evaluations in dissolution cases. The task force shall make recommendations concerning specialized evaluators for dissolution cases, dissolution forms and procedures, and fees.

     (c) The task force shall also study issues related to: (i) Venue for filing and modifying petitions; and (ii) the program established under RCW 26.12.260, including but not limited to: (A) The minimum components of the program; (B) the extent of the program; (C) the administration of the program; (D) the handling of confidential information obtained; and (E) the selection of appropriate short screen tools to be utilized in the administration of the program.

     (2) The governor shall appoint the following members of the task force:

     (a) A representative of the office of crime victims advocacy;

     (b) A professor of law specializing in family law;

     (c) A representative from a statewide domestic violence advocacy group;

     (d) A representative from a community sexual assault program;

     (e) Two noncustodial parents with at least one representing the interests of low-income noncustodial parents; and

     (f) Two custodial parents with at least one representing the interests of low-income custodial parents.

     (3) The chief justice of the supreme court is requested to appoint the following members of the task force:

     (a) Two representatives from the superior court judges association, including a superior court judge and a court commissioner who is familiar with dissolution issues;

     (b) A representative from the administrative office of the courts;

     (c) A representative from the Washington state bar association's family law executive committee;

     (d) A representative from a qualified legal aid provider that receives funding from the office of civil legal aid;

     (e) A representative of the Washington state association of county clerks; and

     (f) A guardian ad litem.

     (4) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.

     (5) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, with at least one member.

     (6) Membership of the task force may also include members of the civil legal aid oversight committee, including but not limited to the legislative members of the committee.

     (7) The task force shall carefully consider all input received from interested organizations and individuals during the task force process.

     (8) The task force may form an executive committee, create subcommittees, designate alternative representatives, and define other procedures, as needed, for operation of the task force.

     (9) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employee or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

     (10) The task force shall present preliminary findings and conclusions to the governor's office, the supreme court, and the appropriate committees of the legislature by September 1, 2008. A final report and recommendations, including recommendations for legislative action, if necessary, and recommendations regarding the program under RCW 26.12.260, shall be completed by December 1, 2008.

     (11) This section expires June 30, 2009.

[2007 c 496 § 306.]

NOTES:

     Part headings not law -- 2007 c 496: See note following RCW 26.09.002.