HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1627

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Belcher, Brooks, Hargrove, Grimm, Sayan, Peery, Ebersole, Cole, Scott, Valle, Sprenkle, Brekke, Leonard and Locke)

Establishing a family life education program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (20)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Betrozoff, Butterfield, Cole, Cooper, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Schoon, Taylor, Todd, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (19)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Brough, Butterfield, Ebersole, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, Nealey, Peery, Silver, Spanel, Sprenkle and Wang.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Fuhrman and B. Williams.

House Staff:      Janet Peterson (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1988

BACKGROUND:

It is important that school programs equip children with the skills necessary to address the complex issues of modern life.  It is especially important that children have the knowledge and skills to protect their health and well-being.  Although some school districts have developed comprehensive health programs, others have not incorporated all the information necessary for personal health and well-being in their curriculum.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature intends that school districts develop and adopt a comprehensive plan on family life education.  The family life education program is to provide basic life skills and comprehensive health information to children in grades kindergarten through twelve.  Each school district board of directors, during the 1989-90 school year, shall develop and adopt a comprehensive plan on family life education and a plan for implementation in grades kindergarten through twelve during the 1990-91 school year.

The goals of the program are to aid children in acquiring skills to allow them to make informed decisions concerning their health and interpersonal relationships; to develop and support responsible personal behavior; to enrich the community; to help schools in the development of a comprehensive family life education program including health education, acquired immune deficiency syndrome education, substance abuse education, child abuse and neglect prevention and social skills development; and to develop an understanding of the foundations of human development, sexuality, and reproduction at the various stages of growth.  Instruction should be appropriate to the child's level of maturity, take place within the existing curriculum where possible and be sensitive to diverse cultural and religious values. Nothing in this program shall be understood to authorize or provide funds for a school-based adolescent clinic.

Each school district board of directors shall appoint a school and community family life education advisory committee.  Members of the committee shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of: Certificated instructional staff, school administrators, parents and guardians, students, physicians, community organizations and the community.  The committee shall help coordinate the family life education program and provide for community participation and support in developing the comprehensive plan and program.

Annually, a school district must hold at least one one informational session for parents and guardians on the curriculum and materials to be used in the family life education program. The presentation shall held during evening and weekend hours. The parents and guardians shall be notified by the school district of the presentation and their right to inspect.  No child may be required to participate in family life education if the student's parent or guardian, having attended one of the district presentations, objects in writing to the participation.

School districts shall evaluate the effectiveness of the district's family life education program.  Beginning in 1991 school districts shall report to the superintendent of public instruction by August 1 of each year on the implementation and effectiveness of the program.

The superintendent of public instruction shall develop and make available for use training materials and suggested procedures for the development and implementation of family life education policies. In-service training for teachers and technical assistance shall also be provided by the superintendent of public instruction.  The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint his or her own family life education advisory committee to advise the superintendent on matters of local program development, coordination, and evaluation.  A report on the implementation of family life programs shall be presented to the education committees of the House of Representatives and Senate by November 1, 1991.

Information on effective family life education programs, which reflect a variety of methods and programs,  shall be disseminated to all school districts and other interested parties through the state clearinghouse for education information.

The sum of $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the biennium ending 1989 to carry out the purposes of this act.

Appropriation:    $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the implementation of this act.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 8, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education)  Representative Belcher; Representative Hargrove; Elizabeth Reis, The Association for Sexuality Education and Training and Seattle-King County Health Department; May Jane Johnson, School Nurses Organization of Washington; Ward Miles, State Health Coordinating Council; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Ann Olson, PTA; Therese Peterson, Tacoma School District; Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association; Teresa Stone, Bethel School District; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Judy Hartmann, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Robert Ball, Washington State Nurses Association; Pat Thibaudeau, Washington Women United.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Representative Belcher.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Education)  Cris Shardelman, citizen.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Mrs. Joanne Coker, Montesano; Sonnia Bean, Aberdeen.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education)  It is important that students be provided the training and support to make responsible and informed decisions about their personal life.  The aim of this bill is prevention by encouraging responsible decision-making.  This places the school in the role of providing training and support to prevent problems rather than treatment and crisis management.  It also emphasizes the important role the community must play in such a program to make it work.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  The bill is the result of a bipartisan effort.  It deals with education and prevention, rather than treatment.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Education)  The legislature should define words such as "responsible" and make all rules for the implementation of this program.  This should not be left up to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  The bill is unnecessary because school districts can already provide such instruction.  It weakens family and community values.  The bill opens the door to teen health clinics.