FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5605

                           C 17 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

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).

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Higher Education

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.

Summary:  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 must provide student housing on a residence hall floor, designated area, or in a building where use of liquor is prohibited.  Each college and university must have in place and distribute to residents a process for reporting violations and complaints of illegal liquor and drug use.  Each college and university must also 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 that 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 must be submitted by December 1, 1996, to the House and Senate Higher Education Committees and must 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, and 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.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    43 1

House     98 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996