Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Capital Budget Committee

HB 1507

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 Bill

Directs school district boards of directors to consider school building plans and designs that promote effective physical safety and security through natural surveillances, natural access controls, and territorial reinforcements, or other safety-focused environmental design elements.
Requires school districts to conduct an assessment of safety and security of school buildings, grounds, and surroundings through a Study and Survey administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Repeals a duplicative statute.

Background:

School Building Safety Design and Assessments.

School district boards of directors are required to consider installing perimeter security control mechanisms or systems on all school campuses. They are also required in planning for new school construction projects or major renovations of schools to consider school building plans and designs that promote optimal levels of security using evolving technology and best practices; direct control and observation of the public entering school grounds; and the public entering the school grounds through as few entrances as possible.

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) provides assessment guides in their report titled "Mitigating Hazards in School Facilities" that help school facilities planners to assess the safety and security of school buildings, grounds, and surroundings, make hazard mitigation plans, and implement the plans. The NCEF assessment guides embody the three principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). The three principles are: (1) the ability to easily see what is occurring in a particular setting through natural surveillance; (2) the ability to demonstrate ownership of and respect for property through territorial markings and maintenance; and (3) the ability to restrict who enters or exits an environment through natural access controls.

Studies and Surveys.

The State requires that school districts seeking state funding assistance grants to construct, remodel, or replace school buildings through the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) must complete a study and survey (S&S) of its school facilities. The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) writes rules relating to the information required through the S&S. School districts must prepare the necessary components to complete the S&S document that includes such activities as developing an educational plan; projecting enrollments for student housing needs; evaluating existing school district facilities for space and condition; evaluating the financial capabilities of the district to complete school construction projects; and estimating potential state funding assistance for school construction. The S&S of a school district must be conducted within six years receiving a SCAP grant award.

Summary of Bill:

School Building Safety Design and Assessments.

After July 1, 2020, school district boards of directors in planning for new school construction projects or major remodeling projects must consider school building plans and designs that promote effective physical safety and security through natural surveillances, natural access controls, and territorial reinforcements. They may also consider other safety-focused environmental design elements while maintaining the functional and aesthetic qualities of school buildings, grounds, and surroundings.

Through the S&S, school districts must assess the safety and security of school buildings, grounds, and surroundings through (1) natural surveillances that maximize visibility and observation to deter criminal activity; (2) natural access controls that deny access to a crime target and reduce escape opportunities; and (3) territorial reinforcements that create and extend influence over school property.

A duplicative statute relating to the S&S is repealed.