S-4559               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6186

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Benitz, Saling, Johnson and Deccio)

Read first time 1/29/88.

AN ACT Relating to education about acquired immune deficiency syndrome; adding a new section to Title 28A RCW; creating  a new section; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that acquired immune deficiency syndrome, commonly referred to as AIDS, is a life-threatening disease.  The legislature finds that the spread of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health issue.

         The legislature further finds that the public schools provide a unique and appropriate setting for educating young people about the pathology and prevention of AIDS.  The legislature also recognizes that communities throughout the state vary significantly and that locally-elected school directors are best situated to determine the character and content of the program of AIDS education in their districts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

          (1)  Each school district board of directors shall develop and adopt a written policy regarding the district's role and responsibility in providing age-appropriate information about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) to students in the district.

         (2)  Each district board of directors shall determine the scope and content of the AIDS education program in consultation with teachers, administrators, students, parents, and other community members.

          (3)  Model curriculum and other resources available from the superintendent of public instruction through the state clearinghouse for educational information may be reviewed by the school district board, in addition to materials designed locally, in developing the district's AIDS education program.

          (4) The program of AIDS prevention education shall stress that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain means for the prevention of the spread or contraction of the AIDS virus through sexual contact.  Each school district shall, at least one month before teaching AIDS prevention education in any classroom conduct at least one presentation during weekend and evening hours for the parents and guardians of students concerning the curriculum and materials that will be used for such education.  The parents and guardians shall be notified by the school district of the presentation and that the curriculum and materials are available for inspection.  No student shall be required to participate in AIDS prevention education if the student's parent or guardian, having attended one of the district presentations, objects in writing to such participation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction to provide technical assistance to school districts in carrying out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.