HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  SB 5132

 Title:  An act relating to school bus route stops as drug‑free zones.

Brief Description:  Simplifying designation of school bus stops as drug‑free zones.

Sponsors:  Senators Zarelli, Schow, Winsley and Oke.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  March 21, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Dave Bowman (786-7291).

Background:  The state sentencing code for adult offenders authorizes courts to impose an enhanced punishment if a person commits a drug offense in a drug-free zone.  One drug-free zone is a school bus route stop.  An individual who manufactures, sells, or unlawfully possesses a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school bus route stop designated by a school district may receive up to twice the fine or imprisonment, or both, otherwise authorized. 

Prosecutors seeking enhanced penalties for drug offenders must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense occurred within a 1,000-foot radius of a school bus route stop.  To prove this, prosecutors must establish the bus stop=s exact location.  Washington law defines a Aschool bus route stop@ as a stop designated on maps submitted by school districts to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Recently, school districts began designating bus stops with electronic submissions rather than maps.  These electronic submissions do not meet the statutory definition of a school bus route stop for purposes of obtaining enhanced penalties for drug offenders.

Summary of Bill:  The definition of a Aschool bus route stop@ is a stop designated in any manner by a school district.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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