SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6501

                    As of February 21, 2000

Title:  An act relating to a middle school after‑school youth grant program.

Brief Description:  Creating a grant program to fund after‑school programs for middle school youth.

Sponsors:  Senators Eide, Winsley, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen and Goings.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/21/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Vanessa Power (786-7448)

Background:  Local school boards have permissive authority to provide after-school programs.  Regulations and activities are developed at the local level in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

Research on after-school programs is not well developed, but national studies show that during the afternoon hours, rates of juvenile crime triple, and many unsupervised youth experiment with tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and sex.

There are over 204,000 students in public junior high and middle schools in Washington.  There are over 550 students in private junior high and middle schools, and over 15,000 in private complete (1-12) schools.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) creates a grant program to fund after-school programs for middle school youth.  OSPI establishes an advisory board including representatives from middle schools, parents of middle school youth, and providers from community-based organizations to review and rate grant applications.  OSPI adopts rules to implement the program.

Grants are awarded to public schools and other public, private and nonprofit organizations.  Grant applicants must provide a 25 percent match.  Preference is given to programs that serve low-income youth, special needs youth, economically depressed areas, and provide age-appropriate activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 17, 2000.

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