H-0544.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1213
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives J. Kohl, Brough, G. Cole, Miller, Anderson, Eide, Wineberry, Riley, Romero, Rust, G. Fisher, Flemming, Leonard, Basich and Pruitt
Read first time 01/20/93. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to violence-prevention curricula; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is an increasing incidence of firearms and other dangerous weapons on public school grounds, with an attendant increase in public concern for the safety of students. The legislature further finds that the rate and number of arrests of juveniles for serious and violent crimes is increasing in Washington state.
Instruction of students in violence prevention, including conflict resolution and safety issues concerning weapons may help reverse the increasing incidence of violence among youths, enhancing the educational process and reducing concern about student safety.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The public schools of this state are encouraged to instruct students in violence prevention at least once each school year beginning no later than the fifth grade.
(2) By June 30, 1994, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop model violence-prevention curricula and other violence-prevention resources, and shall make them available for use in local school districts.
In developing the materials, the superintendent is encouraged to consult with groups interested in the issues of violence prevention. By way of illustration and not limitation, such groups could include education associations, parent-teacher associations, organizations concerned with issues of firearms ownership and use, and law enforcement associations. The superintendent may use materials developed by local school districts or other entities. The materials may include, but need not be limited to, information on the following:
(a) Techniques for anger management;
(b) Strategies for problem solving, including effective alternatives to violence;
(c) Personal safety methods appropriate for different ages; and
(d) Safety issues concerning firearms and other dangerous weapons including the presence of firearms and other such weapons on school grounds.
(3) Each district board of directors is encouraged to adopt a violence-prevention education program that may, but need not, be based on the curricula and resources available under subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Each school district is encouraged, at least one month before teaching violence-prevention education in any classroom, to conduct at least one presentation during weekend or evening hours for the parents and guardians of students. The presentation should concern the curricula and materials to be used for the violence-prevention education. A school district conducting a presentation shall notify parents and guardians of district students of the presentation and that the curricula and materials are available for inspection.
No student may be required to participate in violence-prevention education if the student's parent or guardian objects in writing to the participation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1995, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.
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