The Commission has created a Legislative Committee to stay abreast of potential legislation that may have an impact on gender-related subjects and to provide a court perspective in the drafting of legislation that may serve to remedy existing problems. Furthermore, members liaison with existing court organizations to ensure collaboration.

The Washington State Legislature, in enacting ESHB 2777 (Laws of 2010, Ch. 274), directed the Administrative Office of the Courts through the Gender and Justice Commission to develop a pattern form for all domestic violence no contact orders, develop a model policy regarding rescission or modification of no contact orders, and to develop guidelines for reconciling duplicate or conflicting no contact orders.

Reports were sent to the Legislature in 2010 and 2011 indicating progress.

• Domestic Violence No Contact Orders - Pattern Form 
• Model Policy regarding Rescission or Modification of No Contact Orders 
• Guidelines for reconciling duplicate or conflicting No Contact Orders 


• December 2010 Report to the Legislature 
• December 2011 Report to the Legislature 

View ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2777 

Members of the Seattle University Women's Law Caucus worked with Legal Voice and select members of the Gender and Justice Commission to research, craft, and support HB 2747 sponsored by the Honorable Jeannie Darneille and the Honorable Karen Fraser. This law prevents the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women during transport and delivery. View ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2747

In 2007 Commission members and Staff continued to work with the Human Trafficking Task Force in developing a model state anti-trafficking law and to identify potential training topics designed to educate judicial officers and court personnel as to the issues related to Trafficking.

In 2006, the Commission was invited to participate in three Legislative projects:

• The Informal Shared Parenting Workgroup, which reviewed the Washington State Parenting Act and considered ways to reduce conflict in divorce cases and serve children's best interests while protecting victims of domestic violence and ensuring the rights of parents;
• The Domestic Violence Hope Card Committee, which examined the feasibility of producing a laminated wallet size version of the protection order and recommended that state resources would be better used to improve the system of support to victims with protection orders; and
• The Human Trafficking Task Force which began a five-year project to provide guidance to state leaders in responding to the crime of human trafficking and provide service to victims.