6155-S.E

AN ACT Relating to schools; amending RCW 28A.635.060 and 13.32A.040; adding a new section to chapter 28A.225 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.635.060 and 1993 c 347 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any pupil who shall deface or otherwise injure any school property, shall be liable to suspension and punishment. Any school district whose property has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, may withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil responsible for the damage or loss until the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian has paid for the damages((~~, unless the student is transferring to another elementary or secondary educational institution, in which case the student's permanent record shall be released promptly to the receiving school~~)). When the pupil and parent or guardian are unable to pay for the damages, the school district shall provide a program of voluntary work for the pupil in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Upon completion of voluntary work the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil shall be released. The parent or guardian of such pupil shall be liable for damages as otherwise provided by law.

(2) Before any penalties are assessed under this section, a school district board of directors shall adopt procedures which insure that pupils' rights to due process are protected.

(3) If the department of social and health services or a child-placing agency licensed by the department has been granted custody of a child, that child's records, if requested by the department or agency, are not to be withheld for nonpayment of school fees or any other reason.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.225 RCW to read as follows:

(1) When enrolling a student who has attended school in another school district, the school enrolling the student shall request the parent and the student to briefly indicate in writing whether or not the student has:

(a) Any history of placement in special educational programs;

(b) Any past, current, or pending disciplinary action;

(d) Any unpaid fines or fees imposed by other schools; and

(e) Any health conditions affecting the student's educational needs.

(2) The school enrolling the student shall request the school the student previously attended to send the student's permanent record including records of disciplinary action. However, if the student has not paid a fine or fee under RCW 28A.635.060, the school may withhold the student's official transcript and transmit information about the student's academic performance, special placement, and records of disciplinary action. If the official transcript is not sent due to unpaid fees or fines, the enrolling school shall notify both the student and parent or guardian that the official transcript will not be sent until the obligation is met, and failure to have an official transcript may result in exclusion from extracurricular activities or failure to graduate.

(3) If information is requested under subsection (2) of this section, the information shall be transmitted within two school days after receiving the request.

Sec. 3. RCW 13.32A.040 and 1990 c 276 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

Families who are in conflict or who are experiencing problems with at-risk youth may request family reconciliation services from the department. Such services shall be provided to alleviate personal or family situations which present a serious and imminent threat to the health or stability of the child or family and to maintain families intact wherever possible. Family reconciliation services shall be designed to develop skills and supports within families to resolve problems related to at-risk youth or family conflicts and may include but are not limited to referral to services for suicide prevention, psychiatric or other medical care, or psychological, welfare, legal, educational, or other social services, as appropriate to the needs of the child and the family. Upon a referral by a school or other appropriate agency, family reconciliation services may also include training in parenting, conflict management, and dispute resolution skills.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 1994.