H-0304.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1082
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives Heavey, Veloria, G. Cole, Springer, Padden, Valle, Scott, Brough, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Lemmon, Karahalios, Pruitt and Roland
Read first time 01/13/93. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to alcohol abuse and underage drinking among college and university students; adding a new section to chapter 28B.80 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. No later than January 1, 1994, each of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall submit to the Washington higher education coordinating board a comprehensive plan to combat student alcohol abuse, including underage drinking. The comprehensive plan must include means for assuring to the highest degree possible that there is no underage drinking on the college or university campus. The comprehensive plan must also provide details of services that will be offered to students who are problem drinkers. Further, the plan must include strategies for combating alcohol abuse and underage drinking in off-campus student residences, such as fraternities and sororities. The strategies for combating alcohol abuse and underage drinking shall include, but not be limited to, a program of certification of student groups containing the following elements:
(1) A procedure for certification of student groups and inspections of student housing. In order for a student group that provides housing to ten or more students to be eligible to receive a financial benefit or other benefit of association with the college or university, such as use of campus facilities, lists of incoming students, or lists of students seeking housing, the student group must: (a) Agree to abide by a code of conduct designed to prohibit underage drinking and to curb alcohol abuse; and (b) agree to submit to random inspections of the residence to determine compliance with the code of conduct. The inspection team shall include at least one college or university administrator, one faculty member, and one police officer; and
(2) A progressive penalty scheme for violations of the code of conduct. The first violation of the code within one academic year shall result in the student group being placed on probation. The second violation of the code within one academic year shall result in a suspension of certification for at least one month. The third violation of the code within one academic year shall result in decertification of the student group. Upon decertification of a student group that is a member of a national or other parent organization, the college or university shall immediately notify the national or parent organization that the student group is no longer in good standing at the college or university.
Copies of the comprehensive plan must be submitted by January 1, 1994, to the house of representatives committees on commerce and labor and higher education and the senate committees on labor and commerce and higher education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.80 RCW to read as follows:
An owner, lessor, or sublessor of an off-campus residence providing housing to ten or more students who are members of a student group certified, suspended, or decertified under section 1, chapter . . ., Laws of 1993 (section 1 of this act) is strictly liable for harm proximately caused by the actions of a minor while under the influence of liquor consumed on the premises of the residence, whether the harm is to the minor's self, to others, or to property. If the owner, lessor, or sublessor is a corporation, whether for profit or nonprofit, the individual directors of the corporation may be held individually liable for the damages.
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