The proposed bill establishes the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act in Washington State, introducing a new chapter to Title 26 RCW. It defines key terms related to child custody and abduction, including "abduction," "child," "child custody determination," and "wrongful removal." The bill empowers courts to implement abduction prevention measures if there is credible evidence of a risk of abduction during child custody proceedings. It allows parties with custody rights to file petitions for such measures, while also outlining specific conditions under which these petitions can be filed and the types of evidence that may be considered by the court.
Additionally, the bill details the procedures for issuing abduction prevention orders, including the necessary components of a petition and the factors the court must evaluate to determine the risk of abduction. It provides for the issuance of ex parte warrants to take physical custody of a child if there is an imminent risk of wrongful removal. The act emphasizes the importance of uniformity in the application of these laws across states and modifies certain federal electronic signature laws to align with its provisions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the legal framework for preventing child abduction in custody disputes.