HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1470

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires school districts that provide access to school campuses to people or groups for the purpose of making students aware of occupational, educational, and military options, also provide such access to recruiters from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps.
Requires that access provided to military recruiters and recruiters from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps be equal to and no less than access provided to other post-secondary occupational or educational representatives.
Defines "access" to include, but not be limited to, the number of days provided and the type of presentation space.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Dammeier, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Angel, Billig, Dahlquist, Fagan, Finn, Haigh, Hargrove, Hunt, Klippert, Kretz, Ladenburg, Maxwell, McCoy, Probst and Wilcox.

Background:

State law provides that if a school board provides access to the campus and student information directory to people or groups that make students aware of occupational or educational options, then the board must provide the same access to military recruiters for the purpose of informing students of educational and career opportunities in the military.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, school districts that receive federal funds must provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students that is provided to post-secondary educational institutions or to prospective employers.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

In the event that a school district provides access to post-secondary occupational or educational representatives, access also must be provided to recruiters from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps. The access provided to military recruiters and those from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps must be equal to and no less than access provided to other post-secondary occupational or educational representatives. The word "access" is defined to include, but not be limited to, the number of days provided and the type of presentation space.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill requires that access also be provided to recruiters from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps. It also removes the specific requirement that access be provided on three dates and that each date be separated by at least one month. Instead, access provided to military recruiters and those from the Job Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps must be equal to and no less than access provided to other post-secondary occupational or educational representatives. The word "access" is defined to include, but not be limited to, the number of days provided and the type of presentation space.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The idea for this bill came from the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee which studied the issue. This bill simply puts rules around the timing of the access provided. The military has much to offer young people, including free access to preparatory programs for the ACT and the SAT tests. The military also builds discipline, and provides guidance and mentorship. Currently, students' access to military recruiters is quite limited and should be improved. Many schools allow frequent access to colleges, and hold college days both on and off campus while only allowing the military recruiters access on two occasions a year. The military recruiters can have considerable difficulty getting into schools. Providing more access to the military recruiters will provide students with access to more opportunities and options post-high school. Some students are not college bound. The military provides career options and students should be made aware of these options. Some schools make morning announcements that include information about college recruiters on campus but do not do the same with respect to military recruiters. Unless military recruiters come to campus, many students may remain unaware of such options. The military not only provides options in addition to college, it provides the means to pay for college. The discipline learned in the military led to better grades in college later in life.

(In support with concerns) As the bill is currently written, it causes concerns with its very specific directive regarding the number and timing of visits.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Bailey, prime sponsor; Jeff Brane, Shilo Waltz, Joseph Eralch, and Nicholas Davey, United States Army; Marvin Faulcon and Amanda Edwards, United States Marine Corps; and Mike Partridge, Veterans Legislative Coalition.

(In support with concerns) Marilee Scarbrough, Washington State School Directors' Association.