HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6206

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to notification to schools of firearm violations by students.

Brief Description:  Requiring that schools be notified of firearm violations by students.

Sponsors:  Senators Spanel, Gardner, Kohl‑Welles, Jacobsen, Prentice, Fairley, Wojahn, Goings, Costa, McAuliffe, Haugen, Winsley and Kline.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  2/23/00, 2/24/00 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Firearm and dangerous weapon violations are added to the list of offenses that must be reported to the minor's school by the court.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Quall, Democratic Co-Chair; Talcott, Republican Co-Chair; Haigh, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Carlson; Cox; Keiser; Rockefeller; Santos; D. Schmidt; Schual-Berke; Stensen; Thomas and Wensman.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:

Current law requires that when a minor is convicted or adjudicated of certain offenses, the court must notify the minor's parents or guardians and the principal of the minor's school.  Offenses requiring notification include violent offenses, sex offenses, inhaling toxic fumes, controlled substance violations, liquor violations, assault, kidnaping, harassment, arson, and malicious mischief.

The principal must provide the criminal history information to the student's teachers, supervisors, and other personnel that the principal feels should be aware of the student's record.  When a student transfers to another school, the student's criminal history information must be sent to the new school, in addition to immunization, academic, and attendance records.

Summary of Bill:

Firearm and dangerous weapon violations are added to the list of offenses that must be reported to the minor's school by the court.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Juveniles with firearms and other dangerous weapons are a growing problem.  Dangerous weapon offenses should have been included in the current list.  It should be clearer that security persons be given this information. 

Testimony Against:  None. 

Testified:  (In support) Senator Spanel, prime sponsor; Greg Williamson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Joe Pope, Association of Washington School Principals.

(In support with concerns)  David Westberg, Stationary engineers.