H-0717.1                  _______________________________________________

 

                                       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4406

                              _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

 

By Representatives J. Kohl, Jacobsen, Dorn, Kessler, Flemming, Wood, Shin, Basich, Ogden, Quall, Peery, G. Cole, Brough, Franklin, Thibaudeau, Brown, Veloria, Johanson, Romero, Miller and Wineberry

 

Read first time 01/27/93.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

 

Creating a Joint Legislative Task Force on Educational Equity.


          WHEREAS, Washington State and the nation benefit from equal educational opportunities for all students and employees of the public schools and institutions of higher education; and

          WHEREAS, In recognition of this benefit, numerous existing state and federal constitutional provisions, laws, rules, and regulations prohibit, and provide redress against, unwarranted discrimination; and

          WHEREAS, Although many provisions exist to prohibit and redress unlawful discrimination, there may be a need for additional state legislation to address areas unprotected from discrimination; and

          WHEREAS, There is a need for greater awareness by students, employees, and members of the public of the activities that are prohibited and remedies available to redress wrongs; and

          WHEREAS, The state has a responsibility to identify, coordinate resources, and eliminate unprotected areas of potential discrimination;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, the Senate concurring, That a Joint Legislative Task Force on Educational Equity be established; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall:

          (1) Identify existing state and federal constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions and agency programs that discourage, prohibit, monitor, or provide redress for discrimination (including harassment), based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap, against students or employees in public education in the State of Washington;

          (2) Analyze the procedures and remedies available to victims of discrimination;

          (3) Determine where and to what extent existing provisions and programs overlap;

          (4) Identify and describe any additional laws, rules, or programs needed to protect against unwarranted discrimination;

          (5) Estimate the potential fiscal impact of each law, rule, or program identified under subsection (4) of this clause;

          (6) Determine the potential effect any law or rule identified under subsection (4) of this clause would have on existing programs to remedy the effects of past discrimination or to enhance the participation of any group in the educational setting;

          (7) Examine the respective responsibilities of state and federal agencies responsible for monitoring or enforcing existing prohibitions against discrimination.  In determining those responsibilities, the committee shall examine whether an entity is responsible for eradicating discrimination or for providing redress for victims of discrimination; and

          (8) Prepare a synopsis of information identified and analyzed under subsections (1) and (2) of this clause to assist public schools and institutions of higher education in informing employees, students, and their families of laws to prohibit discrimination in education; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force may coordinate efforts with any related studies planned or under way at other agencies or contract with an appropriate person or entity to assist in fulfilling all or part of the committee's duties; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall consist of up to twenty-five members as follows:  PROVIDED, That all expenses and hiring of additional nonlegislative staff shall be subject to the approval of the House of Representatives Executive Rules Committee and the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee:

          (1) Two members from each caucus of the House of Representatives, selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  At least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the committee on higher education or the committee on education in the House of Representatives;

          (2) Two members from each caucus of the Senate, selected by the President of the Senate.  At least one member from each caucus shall be a member of the committee on higher education or the committee on education in the Senate;

          (3) One member from each of the following agencies shall serve on the committee:  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Human Rights Commission;

          (4) In addition, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall select ten public members representing the following groups:  Students, parents, faculty, administrators, employees, and other groups interested in issues relating to the disabled, minorities, gender or sexual orientation; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall choose its chair and vice-chair from among its membership; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That by December 31, 1994, the committee chair and vice-chair shall report to the legislature the committee's findings and recommendations including, but not limited to, recommendations for:

          (1)  The adoption, amendment, or repeal of specific laws or rules;

          (2)  Initiating, changing, or terminating specific programs affecting or related to equal opportunities in education; and

          (3)  Ways to improve coordination of existing efforts to prevent or redress discrimination in education; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,         That the task force shall expire July 1, 1994.

 


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