H-1505.1                  _______________________________________________

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1919

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Cothern, Wineberry, L. Johnson, Anderson, Leonard, Flemming, Jacobsen, R. Meyers, Locke, Brough, Wang, Karahalios, Johanson, Springer, J. Kohl, Thibaudeau, Roland and Long

Read first time 02/15/93.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Educating students in order to prevent hate crimes.

          AN ACT Relating to the prevention of hate crimes; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that there is a rise in hate crimes and incidents involving display of hate symbols.  Students in our public schools need to be educated about the effects on others of expressions of hate in order to prevent future expressions of hate against individuals or groups.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The superintendent of public instruction shall establish a task force to develop and make available to school districts curriculum material and programs designed to reduce the incidence of hatred against individuals and groups.  Curriculum material and programs may include, but are not limited to, written material, media presentations, speakers, dramatic presentations, and humanitarian awards.  Information regarding awareness of gang symbols and cultural and ethnic awareness and knowledge should be incorporated into the curriculum materials.  The task force also shall develop recommendations for teacher training and preparation, and establish goals for state-wide distribution and dissemination of the task force's curriculum material and programs.  The task force shall complete its work by June 1, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Members of the task force established in section 1 of this act shall be appointed jointly by the office of the governor and the office of the superintendent of public instruction.  The task force shall include, but is not limited to, individuals representing school directors, school district administrators, teachers, counselors, civil liberty attorneys, and state-wide organizations representing minority communities and populations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall expire June 30, 1995.

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