SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6482

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to institution education programs.

SPONSORS: Senators Bailey and Rinehart; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates:  February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The 1991 Legislature required the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to convene meetings of the parties responsible for the well-being of children in institutional education programs and report back by January 10, 1992.  The purpose of the meetings was to identify and resolve problems associated with service delivery to this population of students.

An advisory committee was established, and met several times after the conclusion of the 1991 legislative session.

The SPI's recommendations, based on advisory committee activities, included a recommendation that the Legislature adopt proposed amendments to existing statutes concerning residential education programs.  Those amendments were intended to define and clarify the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Social and Health Services responsibilities for the provision of services to students in institutional education programs.

SUMMARY:

The terms "residential school" and "school" are changed to "institution" to reflect the fact that parole learning center programs are not residential.  Current statutory language referring to students of institutional education programs as "residents" is changed to "clients."

The school year for institutional education programs is required to be not less that 220 days.  A 220-day school year is currently funded in the budget.

Educational services are expanded to include programs that school districts are required to provide to students enrolled in district programs including, but not limited to, bilingual education and learning assistance.

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to provide immediate on-site security for school district employees.

Each school district and DSHS by April of each year must enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement.  The agreement must delineate each agency's respective duties and authority, and how disputes will be resolved.  The agreement must address, at a minimum, program content, budget, facilities, personnel matters, and student conduct.  The agreement must be signed by specified parties.  Procedures for mediation are established.

The responsibility of DSHS to provide notice of enrollment changes for the next year to each school district conducting an institutional education program is strengthened.  If DSHS provides notice of an enrollment higher than that which actually occurs, DSHS is liable for resulting employment-related costs incurred by the school district.

A permanent advisory council is established to review available data on students and programs annually, and to provide a forum for communications and technical assistance regarding the provision of coordinated services to students in institutional education programs.

The SPI, DSHS, and/or juvenile court administrators must enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement.  Local agreements must conform to the state agreement in content, and must specify procedures to be undertaken to accomplish matters agreed to in the state agreement.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested