FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5545

                              C 188 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Smitherman and Saling)

Establishing the state board for vocational education.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committe on Higher Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to the Sunset Act, the Commission for Vocational Education and its powers and duties were repealed on June 30, 1987.  The Governor, through a series of executive orders, created the State Board for Vocational Education to assume those powers and duties.  The board serves as the sole state agency for receipt and allocation of federal vocational funds under the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act, and administers the federal Job Training Partnership Act's Eight Percent Education, Coordination and Grants Program.  The board also administers the state Job Skills Program and the state Private Vocational School Licensing Act, and approves vocational programs for recipients of veterans benefits.

SUMMARY:

The State Board for Vocational Education is formally created as a state agency and as the successor agency to the Commission for Vocational Education.  The board is responsible for carrying out any statutory duties formerly administered by the Commission for Vocational Education, including the Private School Licensing Act, the Job Skills Program, and the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.  The board may delegate by interagency agreement responsibility for administering the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence to any existing state agency, board, or council.  Rules of the Commission for Vocational Education remain in effect until the board acts to adopt or revoke those rules.  A termination date of July 1, 1992, is specified for the State Board for Vocational Education.

The Private Vocational School Licensing Act is amended to require private vocational schools to assess potential students who may benefit from the program.  The private vocational schools are also required to counsel potential students regarding the obligations incurred by signing an enrollment contract and incurring any debt for educational purposes.  It is an unfair business practice for schools or agents to advertise in help wanted ads or recruit near welfare or unemployment offices.  This does not include leaving or distributing materials where no attempt is made to actively pursue enrollment of an individual.  The definition of "private vocational school" is changed to require each location where a business operates a school to be licensed.  The Federal Aviation Administration exemption is restricted to schools only offering FAA certified courses.  The agency is given specific authority to adjudicate disputes resulting when a school "ceases to provide educational services" rather than after closure of the school.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   47    1

     House 65 32 (House amended)

     Senate          (Senate refused to concur)

     House           (House refused to recede; asked for conference)

     Senate          (Senate refused conference)

     House           (House receded)

     House 86 11 (House amended)

     Senate   45    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:March 26, 1990 (Sections 1-4, 11)

          June 7, 1990