AN ACT Relating to community support for education; adding new sections to chapter 41.04 RCW; creating new sections; making appropriations; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that providing productive activities for children after school will protect children who would not otherwise be under the care and supervision of adults. The legislature further finds that after school activities in libraries will help children improve language and reading skills and promote social and intellectual growth. Positive alternatives to street life will be provided.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The learn-in-libraries program is hereby created. The state library commission shall administer the program.

(2) The state library commission may provide grants, with available funds, to local libraries to develop and implement learn- in-library programs that provide after school programs for children. Grant applicants shall be encouraged to develop programs that use older adult volunteers and other community volunteer resources. The programs shall be designed to increase literacy, improve reading skills, encourage reading, and provide homework assistance for school-age children who would otherwise be unsupervised. Applicants shall be encouraged to develop innovative models to provide services.

(3) The state library commission shall report to the legislature on the results of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature finds that the children in this state are the state's most valuable resource and that the assistance of every citizen in this state is required to help children be prepared to be citizens and be prepared for careers. The legislature further finds that public employees in state government and institutions of higher education have a wealth of experience that can help our school system better prepare children to become productive members of our society. The legislature further finds that the use of public employees as tutors will contribute to the growth, vitality, and greater productivity of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added tochapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The public employee tutors program is created to provide children in early childhood programs and the public schools with tutoring in basic skills, role models, and information about the work place.

(2) The purpose of the program is to permit employees of the state or a state institution of higher education or related board to volunteer at a public school or early childhood education and assistance program.

(3) The state personnel board and the higher education personnel board and related boards shall adopt rules to implement this program for employees under their jurisdiction. The rules shall include provisions for release time for employees participating in the program. The rules shall set guidelines for individual agencies to follow in conducting the program in conjunction with the bargaining unit or employees as applicable. In adopting the rules, the boards shall consult with the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The mentor athletes program is hereby created. The program shall be designed to bring visiting athletes into both elementary and secondary public schools. The purpose of the program is to help encourage participation in both physical education programs and sports activities. The visiting athletes shall be representative of the groups of students underrepresented in athletics at the secondary school level. By providing role models, the program will help teach students about the values of physical education and athletics and teach students that all students should have equal opportunities to participate.

(2) The program shall be conducted by the superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of public instruction may contract with educational service districts to conduct the program throughout the state or in regions of the state.

(3) This section shall expire June 30, 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of forty-nine thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the state library commission for the purposes of section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall expire December 1, 1991.