WSR 14-14-099

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 30, 2014, 2:33 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: 1. Repeal chapter 495B-300 WAC, Grievance rules—Title IX and codify and adopt new chapter 495B-300 WAC, Title IX Policies to be in compliance with federal law;

2. Repeal chapter 495B-120 WAC, Campus code of conduct and adopt new chapter 495B-120 WAC to be in compliance with new model conduct code recommended from assistant attorney general.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.50.130.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 1. Colleges receiving federal funds are required by federal law to adopt and publish Title IX complaint procedures, as well as codify any procedure which establishes, alters, or revokes any procedure, practice, or requirement relating to the enjoyment of benefits or privileges conferred by law. Title IX complaint procedures do just this, the college is required to codify these procedures in the Washington Administrative Code.

2. Proposed revision to the campus code of conduct are a result of the recommendation from the attorney general's office, as a result of new processes required by the Violence Against Women Act. Because the code was being updated it was decided to also update the college campus code and rename it the student campus code to be consistent with other colleges in the WA system.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ronda Laughlin, Rules Coordinator, Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, (360) 752-8334, rlaughlin@btc.ctc.edu.

June 30, 2014

Patricia L. McKeown

President