WA People
BILL · 2019–20 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 6268

SB 6268: Abusive litigation/partners

Preventing abusive litigation between intimate partners.

Summary

  • Provides a new court process restricting a domestic violence abuser from pursuing litigation intended to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with a current or former intimate partner.
  • Authorizes a court to enter an order restricting a domestic violence abuser from pursuing litigation if a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the proceedings meet the definition of abusive litigation.
  • Creates an exception process allowing a court to overrule a litigation restriction if reasonable and legitimate grounds exist for filing a new action.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESSB 6268), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 311, Laws of 2020
  1. IntroducedJan 14, 2020
  2. Out of committeeFeb 11, 2020
  3. Passed SenateFeb 19, 2020
  4. Passed HouseMar 3, 2020
  5. GovernorApr 2, 2020
  6. LawApr 2, 2020
Prime sponsor
Christine Rolfes (D-23)
Introduced
January 14, 2020 in the Senate
Last action
April 2, 2020
Session law
Chapter 311, Laws of 2020
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 6268, ESSB 6268

AN ACT Relating to abusive litigation;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Christine Rolfes (D-23)

6 co-sponsors (6 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Patty Kuderer D-48Lisa Wellman D-41Jeannie Darneille D-27Bob Hasegawa D-11Claire Wilson D-30Senator D-47

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 19, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 6268
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican19001
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 3, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 6268
90 Yea 6 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57000
Republican33602
How each member voted

Yea (90)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 10, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 6268
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 1/1/2021. (ESSB 6268)
  2. Chapter 311, 2020 Laws. (ESSB 6268)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 6268)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 6268)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 6268)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 6268)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 6268)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 6268)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 6268)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 6268)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESSB 6268)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 6268)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 6268)
  14. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 6268)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 6268)
  16. CRJ - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 6268)
  17. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary. (ESSB 6268)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 6268)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 6268)
  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 6268)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 6268)
  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 6268)
  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 6268)
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  27. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Law & Justice. (ESSB 6268)
  28. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Law & Justice.
  29. Referred to Ways & Means. (ESSB 6268)
  30. Referred to Ways & Means.
  31. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 6268)
  32. And refer to Ways & Means. (ESSB 6268)
  33. And refer to Ways & Means.
  34. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  35. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

SB 6268 in other sessions

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

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