SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1715

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, April 1, 2019

Title: An act relating to removing the ability of school districts to withhold grades and transcripts of pupils.

Brief Description: Removing school districts' ability to withhold pupils' grades and transcripts.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Entenman, Boehnke, Jinkins, Ortiz-Self, Bergquist and Pollet; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/06/19, 66-30.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/25/19, 4/01/19 [DPA, DNP].

Brief Summary of Amended Bill

  • Removes the ability of a school district to withhold the grades and transcript of a student who is responsible for damaging certain property.

  • Directs each school district that has an associated student body to publish information on the number of students subject to the withholding of their grades, diplomas, or transcripts in the last five years, and how many of these students were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in their last year of enrollment in the district.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Pedersen and Salomon.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Hawkins, Ranking Member; Holy, Padden and Wagoner.

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: Withholding of Grades, Diplomas, and Transcripts. If any property of a school district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, a school district may withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of a pupil responsible. A district may withhold these items until the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian has paid for the damages.

If the pupil and parent or guardian are unable to pay for the damages, the school district shall provide a program of voluntary work for the pupil in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. The grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil shall be released upon completion of the work. The parent or guardian shall be liable for damages as otherwise provided by law.

Associated Student Body. An associated student body (ASB) is a formal student organization at a school. An ASB is approved of and regulated by the school board. School districts with one or more ASB programs must publish certain information about each ASB fund on the school or school district website each year.

Free and Reduced Price Meals. For a student to qualify for free school meals, the student's family income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Students whose families have an income between 130 percent and 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals.

Summary of Amended Bill: Limits on Withholding. A school district may not withhold a student's grades or transcript for failure to pay fines for damaging certain property. Districts may continue to withhold a student's diploma for failure to pay.

Reporting.  Each school district with an ASB must publish the number of former students enrolled in the district within the last five years who were subject to grades, diploma, or transcript withholding, as well as how many of these former students were eligible for the federal free or reduced-price meals program in their last year of enrollment in the district.

EFFECT OF EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE AMENDMENT(S):

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 on Substitute House Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Fines prohibit individuals from receiving an official or unofficial transcript. Many people who are attempting to earn their diploma cannot afford the fee, which can create a barrier in continuing education. Denying students access to their educational record could result in litigation under FERPA.

OTHER: The original bill had language that OSPI supported due to it being more in line with current educational goals.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Troy Goracke, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Angela Holley, South Puget Sound Community College. OTHER: Deb Came, Assistant Superintendent, Assessment and Student Information, OSPI.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.