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 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 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 maintenance is owed, or the person or agency to whom the right
to receive or collect support or maintenance has been assigned.
(5) "Obligor" means the person owing a duty of support or
duty of maintenance.
(6) "Support or maintenance order" means any judgment,
decree, or order of support or maintenance issued by the superior
court or authorized agency of the state of Washington; or a
judgment, decree, or other order of support or 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 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).
[2008 c 6 § 1027; 1993 c 426 § 2; 1989 c 416 § 2; 1987 c 435 § 17; 1984 c 260 § 2.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.
Effective date -- 1987 c 435: See RCW 26.23.900.