RCW 26.27.051International application of chapter.(1) A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying Articles 1 and 2.(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) or (4) of this section, a child custody determination made in a foreign country under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this chapter must be recognized and enforced under Article 3.(3) A court of this state need not apply this chapter if the child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of human rights.(4) A court of this state need not apply this chapter if the law of a foreign country holds that apostasy, or a sincerely held religious belief or practice, or homosexuality are punishable by death, and a parent or child may be at demonstrable risk of being subject to such laws. For the purposes of this subsection, 'apostasy' means the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.[ 2021 c 23 s 1; 2001 c 65 s 105.]NOTES:Application—2021 c 23: 'This act applies to child custody proceedings or proceedings to enforce a child custody determination pending gious or political belief.[ 2021 c 23 s 1; 2001 c 65 s 105.]NOTES:Application—2021 c 23: 'This act applies to child custody proceedings or proceedings to enforce a child custody determination pending as of April 14, 2021, or commenced on or after April 14, 2021.' [ 2021 c 23 s 2.]Effective date—2021 c 23: 'This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 14, 2021].' [ 2021 c 23 s 3.]
Washington Legal Code