Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 2137

Brief Description:  Prohibiting explosives on school premises.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hunt, Armstrong, Talcott, Quall, Wood, Delvin, Rockefeller, Fromhold, Keiser and Jackley.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Includes possession of explosives in the category of offenses for which an elementary or secondary school student shall be expelled for not less than one year.

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background: 

A student who brings a firearm onto school grounds, school-provided  transportation, or areas of facilities used exclusively for schools must be expelled for at least one year.  A district may suspend or expel a student for up to one year if the student acts with malice and displays an instrument that appears to be a firearm on school grounds, facilities, or school-provided transportation.

Students who are authorized by school authorities to possess firearms or rifles as part of demonstrations and lectures for safety courses are not subject to penalty.

As used in the common school provisions for students, a firearm is defined by reference to the criminal code chapter on firearms and dangerous weapons.

Summary of Bill: 

Possession of an explosive is added to the behaviors for which a one or more year period of expulsion from school is required.  A student who acts with malice and displays what appears to be an explosive or explosive device may be expelled or suspended for up to one year.

Students authorized by school authorities to possess explosives as part of safety courses are not subject to penalty.

Explosives are defined by reference to the explosives act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note: Requested February 21, 2001.

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