WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION

SB 5598: Relatives/child visitation

Granting relatives, including but not limited to grandparents, the right to seek visitation with a child through the courts.

Summary

  • Permits a non-parent relative who has an ongoing and substantial relationship with a child to request court-ordered visitation if the child risks substantial harm if visitation is denied.
  • Requires a court hearing to consider the child's best interests, the risks, and benefits of visitation for the child, and reasons opposing visitation.
  • Presumes a fit parent's decision denying visitation is in the child's best interests and does not risk substantial harm to the child, but permits a contrary ruling if evidence is clear and convincing.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5598), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 183, Laws of 2018
  1. IntroducedJan 31, 2017
  2. Out of committeeJan 19, 2018
  3. Passed SenateJan 25, 2018
  4. Passed HouseMar 2, 2018
  5. GovernorMar 22, 2018
  6. LawMar 22, 2018
Prime sponsor
Jamie Pedersen (D-43)
Introduced
January 31, 2017 in the Senate
Last action
March 22, 2018
Session law
Chapter 183, Laws of 2018
Companion bill
HB 2117
Budget
Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to granting relatives, including but not limited to grandparents, the right to seek visitation with a child through the courts;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Jamie Pedersen (D-43)

39 co-sponsors (23 Democrats, 16 Republicans)

Jan Angel R-26Christine Rolfes D-23Curtis King R-14Jeannie Darneille D-27Barbara Bailey R-10Senator R-8Mark Mullet D-5Senator D-36John Braun R-20Steve Hobbs D-44Guy Palumbo D-1Lisa Wellman D-41Karen Keiser D-33Senator R-15Kevin Ranker D-40Sharon Nelson D-34Marko Liias D-21John McCoy D-38Andy Billig D-3Annette Cleveland D-49Bob Hasegawa D-11Senator D-46Steve Conway D-29Senator R-18Rebecca Saldaña D-37Patty Kuderer D-48Maralyn Chase D-32Senator D-22Joe Fain R-47Maureen Walsh R-16Kevin Van De Wege D-24Dino Rossi R-45Hans Zeiger R-25Judy Warnick R-13Senator R-2Dean Takko D-19Lynda Wilson R-17Mark Schoesler R-9Senator R-12

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 25, 2018
Version voted on: SB 5598
44 Yea 5 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26000
Republican18500
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 2, 2018
Version voted on: SB 5598
53 Yea 45 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat45500
Republican84000
How each member voted

Yea (53)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage on Reconsideration

Passed March 2, 2018
Version voted on: SB 5598
56 Yea 42 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat47300
Republican93900
How each member voted

Yea (56)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 6, 2018
Version voted on: SB 5598
43 Yea 6 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26000
Republican17600
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/7/2018.
  2. Chapter 183, 2018 Laws.
  3. Governor signed.
  4. Delivered to Governor.
  5. Speaker signed.
  6. President signed.
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 43; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 42; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  10. Vote on third reading will be reconsidered.
  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 53; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  12. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  13. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
  14. Amendment ruled beyond the scope and object of the bill.
  15. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  17. Minority; without recommendation.
  18. Minority; do not pass.
  19. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Judiciary.
  20. Referred to Appropriations.
  21. Minority; do not pass.
  22. JUDI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
  23. First reading, referred to Judiciary (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).
  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  25. Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  26. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  27. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  28. Minority; do not pass.
  29. LAW - Majority; do pass.
  30. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  31. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  32. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  33. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  34. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

SB 5598 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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