SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1230
As of March 20, 2023
Title: An act relating to requiring school districts and other public education entities to make information from the department of health about substance use trends, overdose symptoms and response, and the secure storage of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and firearms and ammunition, available through their websites and other communication resources.
Brief Description: Requiring school districts and other public education entities to make information from the department of health available.
Sponsors: Representatives Callan, Harris, Thai, Reeves, Senn, Ortiz-Self, Ormsby, Kloba, Duerr, Doglio, Berry, Riccelli, Morgan, Davis, Ramel, Bergquist, Pollet, Tharinger, Peterson, Stonier and Santos.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/23, 58-39.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/20/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Directs the Department of Health (DOH) to post and periodically revise information about substance use trends, overdose symptoms and response, and the secure storage of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, and firearms and ammunition.
  • Requires school districts, charters schools, state-tribal compact schools, and educational service districts to post a prominent link on their homepages to this DOH information.
  • Tasks these educational entities with making this DOH information accessible through digital and non-digital communications.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

Recently enacted legislation has addressed communicating information about suicide prevention, mental health, and substance abuse resources to students in public schools. 
 
In 2020, public schools that issued student and staff identification cards were directed to print on these cards the contact information for a national suicide prevention organization and the contact information for one or more campus, local, state, or national organizations specializing in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, or counseling.
 
In 2021, public schools were required to publish on their website home pages the contact information for organizations specializing in:

  • suicide prevention or crisis intervention;
  • depression, anxiety, or counseling;
  • eating disorders;
  • substance abuse; and
  • a mental health referral service for children and teens. 
Summary of Bill:

The Department of Health (DOH) must post and periodically revise information about substance use trends, overdose symptoms and response, and the secure storage of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and firearms and ammunition.  This information must be formatted for the needs of public school students and families.

 

The information must be in the form of a template that can be revised as necessary and:

  • include website addresses and telephone numbers of one or more public health agencies;
  • may include website addresses and telephone numbers of one or more private organizations with applicable information;
  • can be replicated for other health and safety topics that are germane to public schools;
  • can be easily and readily shared with schools and districts; and
  • includes format and content options that schools and school districts may use to reflect regional, demographic, and cultural differences.

 

Within existing resources, school districts, charter schools, state-tribal compact schools, and educational service districts (ESDs) that maintain a website must post a prominent link on their district and school homepages to DOH information. 

 

These educational entities must also make DOH information accessible through other internet-based communications, such as social media accounts and other digital and nondigital communications.  School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools may post this information multiple times annually and at least twice each school year.  ESDs must post this information quarterly.
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:  The number of child deaths because of firearms, drugs, and poisonings are increasing.   This bill will help prevent youth suicide by letting families know about the importance of safe storage.  This bill provides prevention information that schools can easily use in a way that is low-cost.  The information can be tailored for different ages.   Schools are a natural place to share this information and will lead to important conversations for families.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Lisa Callan, Prime Sponsor; Dr. Gwen Loosmore, Washington State PTA; Petra Hoy, Moms Demand Action; Flynn Williams; Leanne Kennedy; Jeff Ketchel, Washington State Public Health Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.