BILL REQ. #:  S-4699.1 

Read first time 02/10/2004.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to providing funding and training for child abduction prevention; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.320 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.410 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The words "missing child" call to mind tragic and frightening child abductions reported in the national news. These events have left many parents frightened and unsure about how to best protect their children. Children of every age, gender, and race are vulnerable to child abduction because, as children, they often lack the skills to protect themselves.
     The legislature finds that in 2003, there were twenty-one thousand three hundred ninety-six missing juvenile reports filed with law enforcement agencies in Washington state. On any given day, there are approximately one thousand seven hundred missing juveniles in our state. The legislature further finds that Washington's children can be protected by teaching them how to avoid many of the dangerous situations that they may encounter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall create a pilot project for selected school districts to identify instructional materials and resources for parents and teachers to use to provide instruction designed to prevent the abduction of children. School districts shall be selected to participate so that instructional materials and resources are identified for each grade level of kindergarten through eighth grade.
     (2) Upon request from a school district participating in the pilot project, the superintendent shall provide technical assistance to assist in the selection or development of relevant instructional materials and resources.
     (3) By May 1, 2004, the superintendent shall disseminate to all school districts in the state information about the availability of the grants and the procedure for obtaining the grants.
     (4) By October 1, 2005, the superintendent shall disseminate to all school districts in the state the list of instructional materials and resources to aid in the prevention of child abduction that were recommended by the school districts participating in the pilot project.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     School districts may apply to the office of the superintendent of public instruction to voluntarily participate in the pilot project established under section 2 of this act. To be eligible for a grant, the school district must agree to take the following actions:
     (1) To require the instructional materials committee of the school district, in accordance with RCW 28A.320.230, to recommend instructional materials and resources that meet the following criteria:
     (a) Provide instruction on awareness, skills, and information to aid in the prevention of child abduction; and
     (b) Are age appropriate to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade levels taught within the district.
     (2) By September 1, 2005, to provide a list of the materials recommended by the instructional materials committee to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     By December 1, 2005, after reviewing the list of recommended instructional materials and resources disseminated by the superintendent of public instruction in accordance with section 2 of this act, each school district shall review the comprehensive safe school plan of the district created under RCW 28A.320.125 and shall consider including in the plan the use of appropriate materials and resources on the list provided by the superintendent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington professional educator standards board shall review teacher training materials and programs that address prevention of child abductions and recommend to the state board of education those materials and programs that should be used for the following purposes:
     (1) Included in preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates that are approved by the state board of education under RCW 28A.305.130; or
     (2) Included in in-service training approved by the state board under RCW 28A.415.020.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, to carry out the pilot project created in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 2 through 4 of this act expire January 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.