2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 26.18.020: Definitions.

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 spousal maintenance" means the duty to provide for the needs of a spouse or former spouse 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 spousal 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 person or agency, to whom a duty of support or duty of spousal maintenance is owed, or the person or agency to whom the right to receive or collect support or spousal maintenance has been assigned.

     (5) "Obligor" means the person owing a duty of support or duty of spousal maintenance.

     (6) "Support or maintenance order" means any judgment, decree, or order of support or spousal maintenance issued by the superior court or authorized agency of the state of Washington; or a judgment, decree, or other order of support or spousal 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 spousal 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).

[1993 c 426 § 2; 1989 c 416 § 2; 1987 c 435 § 17; 1984 c 260 § 2.]