SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5055

BYSenators Rinehart and Bailey

Providing for a comprehensive health education program in public schools.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989; February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5055 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Bender, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  February 24, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

School districts can help students acquire the knowledge and develop the skills needed to protect their health and well-being throughout their lives.  Current law requires that a number of health-related subjects be taught in the public schools.  Although some school districts have developed comprehensive health programs, others have not incorporated the various subjects into a comprehensive health education curriculum.

SUMMARY:

Local school districts are required to provide to every student enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grades an appropriate health education under a health education plan.  District health education plans are required and shall be implemented beginning with the 1992-93 school year.  Educational service districts may coordinate the development of the plans.

The plans shall provide for the coordination and integration of health education programs required under statute such as:  AIDS prevention education; the prevention of child abuse and neglect; health and physical education; home and family life education; substance abuse awareness; and physiology and hygiene.  The plan shall also provide for parenting education.  Other elements of the plan include providing for parental and community involvement, the necessary training for teachers, and evaluation of the program.

Information about the plans shall be distributed through the state Clearinghouse for Educational Information.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall share information with other state agencies including the Department of Community Development and the Department of Social and Health Services.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Instruction about nutrition is required to be included in a health education plan.  Language is changed to parallel language in code which includes home and family life education as part of instruction in work skills. 

The health education plans are required to include the amount of instructional time planned.  Districts are responsible for providing methods for involving specified groups in health education programs and for providing methods for teacher training. 

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 24, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR: Laurie Dills, Beverly Johnson, Statewide Steering Committee on Adolescent Pregnancy;  Janis Sigman, State Health Coordinating Council;  Natalie Gonzales, Washington State Dietetic Association;  Leann Chaney, Washington State Parent Teacher Association;  Susie Tracey, Washington State Medical Association; Patty Joynes, Washington State Nursing Association; Bob Collins, Health Education Alliance; Therese Destito Peterson, Tacoma School District; Cynthia Shurtleff, Washington Assoc. of Pediatrics and March of Dimes; Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;  Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators;  Fred Abrahamson, Department of Social and Health Services;  Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; Yvonne Spies, Planned Parenthood