SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5176

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Education, February 1, 1999

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

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

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Long, Costa, Goings, Oke, Winsley and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/18/99, 2/1/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5176 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Benton, Brown, Finkbeiner, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen, Sellar, Swecker and Zarelli.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  Under the current law, it is a gross misdemeanor for individuals to remain on school property after being ordered to leave.  Some school districts have had experiences where law enforcement officers were reluctant to arrest trespassers.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Police officers may arrest individuals who refuse to leave school property after being ordered to leave.  The new section is also added to the criminal code.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The arrest provision is changed from mandatory to discretionary.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will provide a useful tool for school officials when faced with trespassers who are creating a disturbance and will not leave school grounds voluntarily.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  PRO: Sherri Williams, Public School Employees; Joe Pope, Association of Washington School Principals.