SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6206

              As Passed Senate, February 7, 2000

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:  1/20/2000, 1/24/2000 [DP, DNP].

Passed Senate, 2/7/2000, 47-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Brown, Finkbeiner, Goings, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Hochstatter.

Staff:  Vanessa Power (786-7448)

Background:  Current law requires that a when a youth is convicted of certain offenses, the court must notify the youth's parents or guardians and the principal of the youth's school.  Offenses requiring notification include violent offenses, sex offenses, inhaling toxic fumes, controlled substance violations, liquor violations, assault, kidnapping, 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 require notification.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony:  Notice to schools regarding firearms was inadvertently left out of the original bill.  Police officers are seeing more juveniles with firearms, and this bill will support a partnership between law enforcement and schools.  Security personnel should be added to the list of individuals principals must share information with.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Al Jensen, Bellingham Police Dept. (pro); David Westberg, Stationary Engineers (concerns).