SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5276

               As Passed Senate, March 13, 1995

Title:  An act relating to nomenclature in the common school education code.

Brief Description:  Changing references from "handicapped" to "with disabilities" in the common school education code.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Drew, Bauer, Hochstatter, Sutherland, Long, Pelz, Rasmussen, Haugen, Fairley, Winsley and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/24/95, 2/7/95 [DPA].

Passed Senate, 3/13/95, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pelz, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Gaspard, Hochstatter, Johnson and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  In 1990, Congress amended the federal special education laws.  The term "handicapped" was replaced with the term "disability."

Summary of Bill:  Terminology used in the common school provisions is changed.  The term "handicapped" is replaced with the term "disability."  The term "special education" is inserted to clarify that the educational program students with disabilities can qualify for is the special education program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The change is necessary because the term  "handicapped" is inaccurate.  People with disabilities are not "handicapped."  They are people who happen to have a disability.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (pro); Janet Skinner, Disabilities of Grays Harbor (pro).