HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 SSB  5176

Title:  An act relating to refusals to leave school property.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the arrest of persons who willfully refuse to leave school grounds after being ordered to do so.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Long, Costa, Goings, Oke, Winsley and Rasmussen).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  March 18, 1999.

Analysis Prepared by:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:  Current law makes it a gross misdemeanor for someone to refuse to leave public school grounds when ordered to do so by a school official based on the school official=s belief the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is interfering with a school function, or is causing or threatens to cause a disturbance.  Law enforcement officials typically have discretion in carrying out their duties.

Summary of Bill:  A law enforcement officer may arrest without a warrant anyone the officer has probable cause to believe has wilfully refused to obey a valid order by a law enforcement officer to leave school grounds based on the officer=s belief  the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is interfering with a school function, or is causing or threatens to cause a disturbance.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.