SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5051

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Labor, Commerce & Trade, January 24, 1995

Title:  An act relating to vocational training for students with disabilities.

Brief Description:  Creating a waiver for students with disabilities to obtain cosmetology course credit without having graduated from high school.

Sponsors:  Senator Smith.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/24/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale, Newhouse, Palmer and Wojahn.

Staff:  Max Williams (786-7439)

Background:  High school students, technical college students, or community college students may attend cosmetology school if the arrangement is worked out between the two schools.  To do so, the student must have completed the 11th grade.  Those students are to receive credit for all creditable hours of course instruction received in the school of cosmetology provided they graduate from high school.

Students between the ages of three and 21 who have sensory, mental, physical, emotional, or learning disabilities are entitled to a variety of special educational services.  Among these services is the development of individual education plans.  These plans are developed jointly by the student, parents, and school district.

Students who qualify for special educational services lose cosmetology course credit if they do not graduate from high school or attain a certificate of educational competence.  This may prevent students from taking the cosmetology exam although they have the requisite training.

Summary of Bill:  Students who qualify for special education services, and who attend a cosmetology school as part of their high school curriculum may have the graduation requirement waived and still get credit for the time spent attending the school of cosmetology.  The waiver must be included in the student's individual education plan.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The current high school graduation requirement has delayed or prevented students from taking the cosmetology exam even though they have the requisite training.  The restriction serves no useful purpose.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Tim Williams (pro); Mike Collins, Department of Licensing (pro).