Brief Description: Expanding "residency" for purposes of attending Washington public schools.

Sponsors: Senators Sheahan and Brown.

Hearing Date: 3/26/03

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

Any school-aged child who lives within the borders of Washington may attend the state's public schools without paying tuition. This includes children living on military reservations, American Indian lands, national parks, and national forest lands.

Students who live in other states may also attend school in Washington under a law that permits out-of-state students to enroll in state schools under a reciprocity agreement. The enrollment is limited to students from states that permit reciprocity exchanges. It is also limited to enrollment in a Washington school district that borders the out-of-state school district in which the student lives. Under the reciprocity exchanges, the school district that receives the out-of-state student must charge the student tuition. The tuition must equal the cost to the district of educating the student. The district cannot receive any state or federal funds for these students.

Summary of Bill:

Any school-aged child who lives in a home that is located in Idaho, but has a Washington address assigned to the home by the United States Postal Service, may attend a school in the nearest Washington school district without paying tuition. The child will be considered a resident student for state funding purposes.

Differences between SB 5653 and SHB 1470: SHB 1470 has an expiration date.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Received.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.