FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6361

                          C 125 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Protecting children at the state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind from abuse and neglect.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Zarelli, Hargrove, Hale, Honeyford, McCaslin, Hochstatter, Swecker, Johnson, Roach, Stevens, Oke, Benton and Kohl‑Welles).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Children & Family Services

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  Some of the parents whose children attend the Washington State School for the Deaf (WSD) have been concerned for their children=s safety, particularly those whose children reside at the school during the school year.  These concerns have been raised with both the Governor and some legislators.

Summary:  The superintendents of both the WSD and the Washington State School for the Blind (WSB) are required to protect the children attending those schools from abuse or neglect, including the promotion and protection of student safety.  If abuse or neglect occurs, the superintendents must report this fact to the Department of Social and Health Services, law enforcement and the child=s parents.

The superintendents of both schools must maintain, in writing, and implement behavior management polices and procedures.  The staff of both schools must receive 32 hours of job specific training within 90 days of employment.  The superintendents of both schools must develop written procedures for the supervision of employees who are likely to have contact with students as well as for the protection of students when there is reason to believe a student has been abused or neglected.

Both schools must provide instruction to the students in how to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

Both schools have discretion not to admit or retain a student who is an adjudicated sex offender.  Neither school may admit or retain an adjudicated Level III sex offender.

Both schools must develop a process for assessing children=s propensities of sexual aggressiveness and vulnerability and institute steps to protect the vulnerable children from the aggressive ones.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 420

House980(House amended)

Senate 460(Senate concurred)

Effective:June 8, 2000