BILL REQ. #:  H-1517.1 

Read first time 02/26/2003.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to preschool and elementary school students assisting in school kitchens; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.235 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.235 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Before any child in preschool through fifth grade is allowed to work or help in a school kitchen, a parental/guardian permission slip that details the duties and responsibilities, as well as the potential risks to the student, must be signed and returned to appropriate food service management.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the Washington state school directors' association, parents, and representatives of food service employee groups, shall develop a policy to be implemented in all elementary schools for protecting children in preschool through fifth grade who assist in school kitchens. The policy must:
     (a) Regulate exposure to hazardous equipment that is no less stringent than restrictions adopted by the department of labor and industries for minors;
     (b) Determine age-appropriate standards for physical activities including, but not limited to, lifting, pushing, or moving crates, carts, or other heavy equipment, consistent with federal occupational safety and health administration standards;
     (c) Require that any injury requiring medical attention to a preschool through fifth grade student who is injured while working in a school kitchen be reported to the office of the superintendent of public instruction; and
     (d) Require age-appropriate training.
     (3) By January 1, 2004, the superintendent of public instruction shall verify that all districts are implementing the policy and report to the legislature.