SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5844

                    As of February 25, 1999

Title:  An act relating to standards for school security personnel.

Brief Description:  Requiring adoption of standards for school security personnel.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson and Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/24/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:   William Bridges (786-7424)

Background:  Under current law, there are no training standards for school security personnel.  In addition, the Washington State School Directors' Association has no model policies concerning the qualifications of school security personnel.

During the summer of 1998, the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction appointed an advisory group to attend a series of public forums on school safety.  The group issued a report in October 1998.  The report advised the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to coordinate with various groups to develop and recommend standards for training school security personnel.

Summary of Bill:  OSPI must adopt training standards for school security personnel.  The standards must be placed in rules and apply to persons hired on or after the effective date of this bill.  To develop the rules, OSPI must coordinate with various groups, including the following organizations: the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, the Washington State Patrol, school districts, and school employee groups.

"School security personnel" is defined as persons who are hired by a school district or educational service district to primarily provide security.  The definition does not include teachers, administrative staff, or other staff who have occasional security duties.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 24, 1999.

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