SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6057

BYSenators Murray, Bender, Warnke, Owen, McMullen, Williams, Smitherman, Kreidler, Sutherland, Talmadge, Niemi, Fleming, Moore, Lee, Vognild, Rasmussen, Conner, Stratton, Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Wojahn, Bauer, Madsen, Metcalf, Rinehart and Johnson

Providing for school services for homeless children.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  March 9, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The number of persons without homes in the state of Washington is increasing.  Homelessness can pose a problem for children's education.  One barrier to homeless children attending school is the residency requirement imposed by some local school districts.  While some families can list a shelter as a residence, a survey indicates that only 45 percent of the state's homeless were able to find shelter last year.

SUMMARY:

School districts are prohibited from requiring proof of residency for any child who does not have a legal residence and is eligible by reason of age, for the services of the school district.  A school district shall enroll a child without a legal residence at the request of the child or the parent or guardian of the child.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one