HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESSB 5605

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Higher Education

Title:  An act relating to prohibiting alcohol and drug use in state‑owned college or university residences.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting drug and alcohol use in state‑owned college and university residences.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Bauer, Sheldon, Wood, McAuliffe, Prince, Heavey, Drew, Winsley, Palmer, Deccio, Oke, Prentice and Schow).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  2/15/96, 2/16/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Mulliken, Vice Chairman; Jacobsen, Ranking Minority Member; Mason, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Blanton; Delvin; Goldsmith; Scheuerman and Sheahan.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  In December 1994, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health published a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association documenting the prevalence of undergraduate drinking and the effect that drinkers have on other students.  The report concluded that binge drinking "poses a danger of serious health and other consequences for alcohol abusers and for others in the immediate environment."

Summary of Bill:  Each public institution of higher education is required to notify all students of the availability of student housing in an area in which all use of liquor is prohibited.  Upon request, each public college or university shall provide student housing on a residence hall floor, designated area, or in a building where use of liquor is prohibited.  Each college and university shall have in place and distribute to residents a process for reporting violations and complaints of illegal liquor and drug use.  Each college and university shall have in place, distribute to residents, and vigorously enforce policies and procedures for investigating complaints regarding liquor and illegal drug use in student housing.

Sanctions which may be applied for violations of the institution's liquor and illegal drug use policies include warnings, restitution for property damage, probation, expulsion from college and university housing, and suspension from the institution.

A report from each institution shall be submitted by December 1, 1996, to the House and Senate Higher Education Committees and shall include (1) policies governing liquor and illegal drug use and abuse in student housing; (2) information on reported violations and actions to address those violations; (3) efforts taken by institutions to prevent the use of and to educate students on the effect of illegal drugs and liquor; and (4) copies of the Drug Free Schools and Community Act Biennial Report required by the Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill has been worked on with the institutions.  It is a bill the institutions are able to enforce.  There are many students who prefer not to live around alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.  Many institutions currently have policies governing alcohol use on campus.  Currently, some institutions provide alcohol-free living arrangements for students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Brad Owen, prime sponsor; Terry Teale, Council of Presidents; Martha Lindley, Central Washington University (responded to questions); Al Froderburg, Western Washington University (responded to questions); and Neely Stratton and David Reiter, Washington Student Lobby (pro).