H-3984.1          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 2611

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Tate, Rasmussen, P. Johnson, Brough, Carlson, Pruitt, Vance, Broback, Ferguson, Basich, Paris, Betrozoff, Chandler, Wynne and J. Kohl

 

Read first time 01/22/92.  Referred to Committee on Education.Requiring high schools to offer an elective course in which students volunteer for community service.


     AN ACT Relating to voluntary community service; adding a new section to chapter 28A.230 RCW; and creating a new section.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.      The legislature finds that the education of our children must include not only academic and technical skills and knowledge, but also the development of character and an understanding of our common responsibilities as members of our society and democracy.  One method for building character and teaching responsibility in our students is to encourage them to volunteer in community social, governmental, and educational organizations.  Increasing the level of student volunteerism will strengthen the relationship between schools and communities, expand instructional effectiveness, strengthen the bonds between young people and adults, and provide enriching, rewarding experiences for students.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:

     Every high school in the state shall offer annually at least one elective course in which students may volunteer their services to community social and educational organizations.  Community social and educational organizations shall include hospitals, nursing homes, food banks, day care centers, health clinics, senior citizen centers, schools, civic organizations, state and local government offices, and other organizations that provide social, health, educational, and governmental services.  At the discretion of the high school, the course may be offered during, before, or after the regular school day.