HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2599

                              As Passed House

                             February 17, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the prevention of violence in the schools.

Brief Description:  Requiring the superintendent of public instruction to develop violence‑prevention materials for schools.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Roland, Peery, Ogden, Orr, Riley, Pruitt, J. Kohl and Winsley.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 6, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 17, 1992, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Broback; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; P. Johnson; Jones; J. Kohl; Neher; Orr; Rasmussen; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:  The incidence of violence in schools is rapidly increasing.

According to statistics provided by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, juveniles accounted for about one-third of all arrests for violent crimes in 1989.  The juvenile arrest rate for violent crimes in 1989 was 4.9 per 1,000.  This compares to a juvenile arrest rate for violent crimes in 1981 of 1.6 per 1,000.

Helping students develop better conflict-resolution skills has been suggested as one means of reversing this increase in the frequency of violent behavior of youth.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to develop violence-prevention materials for use in local school districts.  SPI may use materials developed by local school districts or may consult with other interested persons.

The material may include, without limitation, techniques for anger management, personal safety methods appropriate for different ages, problem-solving strategies, and effective alternatives to violence for solving problems.

SPI is also required to provide information about the materials to local school districts through the educational service districts, and to make the materials themselves available to school districts.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Violence is pervasive in society and can be prevented.  Children and adults alike need to know how to resolve conflicts in a nonviolent setting.  These skills can be taught.  This bill will result in reduced violence in our schools.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Judi Roland, prime sponsor (supports); and Lee Landers, Jo and Paul Quam, Tacoma Public Schools and Coalition for Learning (support).