BILL REQ. #: H-0207.2

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HOUSE BILL 1163
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State of Washington

62nd Legislature

2011 Regular Session

By Representatives Liias, Johnson, Maxwell, Santos, Sullivan, Walsh, Orwall, Moeller, Van De Wege, Pedersen, McCoy, Ladenburg, Goodman, Hunt, Jinkins, Reykdal, Ormsby, Sells, Frockt, Upthegrove, Kagi, Blake, Fitzgibbon, Kenney, Stanford, Ryu, Miloscia, Carlyle, Pettigrew, Moscoso, Probst, Seaquist, Finn, Roberts, Appleton, Billig, Hasegawa, Clibborn, Hurst, Hudgins, Jacks, Dunshee, Green, Tharinger, Darneille, and Rolfes

Read first time 01/13/11. Referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention; adding a new section to chapter 43.06B RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.06B RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the education ombudsman and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene an ongoing work group on school bullying and harassment prevention to develop, recommend, and implement strategies to improve school climate and create respectful learning environments in all public schools in Washington.
     (2) The work group shall:
     (a) Consider whether additional disaggregated data should be collected regarding incidents of bullying and harassment or disciplinary actions and make recommendations to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for collection of such data;
     (b) Examine possible procedures for anonymous reporting of incidents of bullying and harassment;
     (c) Identify curriculum and best practices for school districts to improve school climate and create respectful learning environments;
     (d) Recommend best practices for informing parents about the harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention policy and procedure under RCW 28A.300.285 and involving parents in improving school climate;
     (e) Recommend training for district personnel who are designated as the primary contact regarding the policy and procedure and for school resource officers and other school security personnel;
     (f) Recommend preservice training in harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention for teachers, educational staff associates, and school administrators;
     (g) Examine and recommend policies for discipline of students and staff who harass, intimidate, or bully; and
     (h) In collaboration with the state board for community and technical colleges, examine and recommend policies to protect K-12 students attending community and technical colleges from harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
     (3) The work group must include:
     (a) Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (b) Two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; and
     (c) Representatives from the state board of education, the Washington state parent teacher association, school directors, school administrators, principals, teachers, classified school staff, youth, community organizations, and parents.
     (4) The work group shall submit a biennial progress and status report to the governor and the education committees of the legislature, beginning December 1, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The state board for community and technical colleges shall compile and analyze policies and procedures adopted by community and technical colleges regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention.
     (2) The higher education coordinating board shall compile and analyze policies and procedures adopted by four-year institutions of higher education regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention.
     (3) Each board under this section shall submit a report with recommendations for improvements in the policies and procedures to the education and higher education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2011.

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