The proposed bill, known as the Charitable Organizations Privacy Protection Act, aims to enhance the protection of charitable organizations in Washington State by ensuring the timely and secure transfer of property designated to them. It establishes a new chapter in Title 11 RCW, outlining the responsibilities of property holders when a beneficiary designation includes a charitable organization. Key provisions include a requirement for property holders to notify charitable beneficiaries within 10 business days of the owner's death, and the ability for these organizations to present an affidavit to claim property or information. The bill also prohibits property holders from requesting personal identifying information from individuals associated with charitable organizations as a condition for transferring property.
Additionally, the bill outlines the duties and protections for holders of property, stating that they must transfer property to charitable organizations within 30 days if the affidavit requirements are met. It provides a cause of action for charitable organizations to compel compliance or seek damages if property holders fail to act accordingly, with potential penalties ranging from $500 to $10,000. The legislation emphasizes the importance of protecting the privacy of individuals affiliated with charitable organizations while promoting efficient property transfers to ensure that the intentions of decedents making charitable gifts are honored.