Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.09 · 39 active provisions
The purpose of this chapter is to:(1) Provide citizens of the state of Washington with information relating to any entity that solicits funds from the public for public charitable purposes in order to prevent (a) deceptive and dishonest practices in the conduct of soliciting funds for or in the name of charity; and (b)…
When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) A "bona fide officer or employee" of a charitable organization is one (a) whose conduct is subject to direct control by such organization; (b) who does not act in the manner of an independent contractor in his or her relation with the organization; an…
The secretary of state must collect the following fees in accordance with this chapter:(1) For an application for registration as a charitable organization, a fee of sixty dollars. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund and the remaining forty dollars must be deposited in the charitable…
(1) All charitable organizations and commercial fund-raisers must register with the secretary prior to conducting any solicitations.(2) Failure to register as required by this chapter is a violation of this chapter.(3) Information provided to the secretary pursuant to this chapter is a public record except as provided…
(1) Entities are deemed registered under RCW 19.09.075 or 19.09.079 twenty days after receipt of the registration or renewal form by the secretary and may thereafter solicit contributions from the general public.(2) If the secretary determines that the application for initial registration or renewal is incomplete, the…
Charitable organizations must ensure that the financial information included in the solicitation report fairly represents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the organization as of, and for, the period presented to the secretary for filing. If the financial information submit…
(1) An application for initial registration and renewal as a charitable organization must be submitted on the form approved by the secretary and must contain:(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the charitable organization;(b) The name(s) under which the charitable organization will solicit contributions;(c)…
An application for registration and renewal as a commercial fund-raiser must be submitted on the form approved by the secretary and must contain:(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the commercial fund-raising entity;(2) The name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the owner(s) and principal officer(s…
The application requirements of RCW 19.09.075 do not apply to:(1) Any charitable organization raising less than fifty thousand dollars in any accounting year when all the activities of the organization, including all fund-raising activities, are carried on by persons who are unpaid for their services and no part of the…
(1) Registration under this chapter is effective for one year or as established by the secretary.(2) Renewals required under RCW 19.09.075 or 19.09.079 must be submitted to the secretary no later than the date established by the secretary by rule.(3) The secretary must notify entities registered under this chapter of t…
(1) No charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity unless its contract requires that both parties comply with the law and permits officers of the charity reasonable access to:(a) The fund-raisers' financial records relating to that charitable organization;…
All entities soliciting contributions for charitable purposes must comply with the requirements of this section except entities exempted from registration are not required to make the disclosures under subsections (1)(c), (4)(b) or (c), and (5)(b) of this section. The following conditions apply to solicitations as defi…
(1) Every commercial fund-raiser must execute a surety bond if it:(a) Directly or indirectly receives contributions from the public on behalf of any charitable organization;(b) Is compensated based upon funds raised or to be raised, number of solicitations made or to be made, or any other similar method;(c) Incurs or i…
(1) All entities required to register pursuant to this chapter must maintain accurate, current, and readily available books and records at their usual business locations until at least three years have elapsed following the effective period to which they relate. The books and records must contain, at a minimum, documen…
Upon the request of the secretary of state, attorney general, or the county prosecutor, any entity subject to this chapter must submit a financial statement and all requested records containing, but not limited to, the following information:(1) The gross amount of the contributions pledged and the gross amount collecte…
No entity subject to this chapter may:(1) Use an identical or deceptively similar name, symbol, statement, or emblem so closely related or similar that its use would confuse or mislead the public, of any other entity for the purpose of soliciting contributions from persons in this state without the written consent of s…
(1) If the secretary or attorney general determines that any entity is soliciting in this state, directly or indirectly, by any means, and has not registered with the secretary as required by this chapter, the secretary may notify the charitable organization or commercial fund-raiser of its registration requirements by…
(1) Any entity who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter or who knowingly gives false or incorrect information to the secretary, attorney general, or county prosecuting attorney in filing statements required by this chapter, whether or not such statement or report is verified is guilty of a gross misdemeanor…
The secretary may waive penalties that have been set by rule and assessed by the secretary due from a registered entity previously in good standing that would otherwise be penalized. An entity desiring to seek relief under this section must, within fifteen days of discovery of the missed filing or lapse by its officers…
If it appears to the attorney general that an entity has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of a provision of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, the attorney general may, in the attorney general's discretion, issue an order directing the entity t…
(1) The secretary may assess against any entity that violates this chapter, or any rule adopted under this chapter, a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation.(2) The entity must be afforded the opportunity for a hearing, upon request made to the secretary within thirty days after the date…
When an entity registered under this chapter, or its president, treasurer, or comparable officers, cannot be found after reasonably diligent effort, the secretary of state must be an agent of such entity upon whom process may be served. Service on the secretary must be made by delivering to the secretary or the secreta…
(1) The secretary may establish, by rule, standard forms and procedures for the efficient administration of this chapter.(2) The secretary may provide by rule for the filing of a financial statement by registered entities.(3) The secretary may issue such publications, reports, or information from the records as may be…
(1) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or…
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all fees and other moneys received by the secretary of state under this chapter must be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund.