FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6351

C 206 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring notification policies regarding threats at schools.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Rasmussen, Hochstatter, Stevens, Eide, Kohl‑Welles, Keiser and Oke).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background:  Under current Washington law when a school district receives information that a  student has a past history of disciplinary actions, criminal or violent behavior or other behavior that indicates he or she may be a threat to the safety of staff or other students, the school must provide that information to the student's teachers and security personnel.  This law does not apply to current threats of harm or violence a student may make against school staff or other students.

Summary:  School districts must adopt a policy by September 1, 2003, that addresses (1) the procedures for providing notice of threats of violence or harm to the student or school employee who is the subject of the threat, and (2) how information relating to a student's conduct is to be disclosed to teachers, staff, and school security, including but not limited to, information about disciplinary records, official juvenile court records, and history of violence.  The policy must also establish a definition of "threats of violence or harm" and address whether or not any such threat of violence or harm made by a student may be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion of the student.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with the groups listed in the bill must develop a model policy by January 1, 2003.  The model policy must be posted on the Superintendent of Public Instruction's website and school districts, in drafting their own policies, must review the model policy.

Immunity from liability arising out of the notification is provided if the notice is given in good faith and is consistent with the board's policies adopted under this section.  Making a false notification of a threat is a misdemeanor if it is done knowingly, intentionally and in bad faith or maliciously.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate480

House940(House amended)

Senate(Senate refused to concur)

House960(House amended)

Senate490(Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 13, 2002