SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1210
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. |
As Passed Senate, April 11, 2019
Title: An act relating to allowing nonresident children from military families to enroll in Washington's public schools prior to arrival in the state.
Brief Description: Allowing nonresident children from military families to enroll in Washington's public schools prior to arrival in the state.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilduff, Leavitt, Mosbrucker, Ryu, Barkis, Reeves, Klippert, Dolan, Jinkins, Orwall, Ortiz-Self, Caldier, Lovick, Santos, Tharinger and Riccelli).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/19, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/27/19, 4/01/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 4/11/19, 46-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hawkins, Ranking Member; Holy, Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Padden, Pedersen, Salomon and Wagoner.
Staff: Alex Fairfortune (786-7416)
Background: The Legislature enacted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in 2009 to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families due to frequent moves and deployment of their parents. One stated purpose of the compact is facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty from transferring education records or variations in entrance and age requirements. The compact does not address residency requirements.
Proof of residency shows that a student lives within the service area of a school district. Each school district decides what proof of residency it will accept, such as a rental agreement, utility bill, or driver's license. If a child has no regular, fixed address, but lives within the school district in a temporary shelter, institution, or place not ordinarily used as a residence, the school district may accept an alternative form of address it considers appropriate.
Summary of Bill: Children of military families will comply with the residency requirements for school district enrollment if their parent is transferred to, or pending transfer to, a military installation in the state while on active duty pursuant to an official military order. In such circumstances, the school district must conditionally accept applications for enrollment and course registration by electronic means. The child's parent must provide proof of residency in the school district within 14 days of published arrival, as provided on official documentation, before enrollment is finalized. Addresses for temporary on-base billeting facilities, off-base military housing, or a purchased or leased residence may be used to prove residency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Military families can relocate six to eight times over the course of a career and those relocations often do not align with the school calendar. Disruptions to student learning can have dramatic consequences. This provides peace of mind and a community connection that can go a long way to help soldiers and their families.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Christine Kilduff, Prime Sponsor; Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition; Shane Inman, Veterans Legislative Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.