SB 6688 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Recognizes the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program's legislative request for a "Helping Kids Speak" license plate has been reviewed by the special license plate review board as specified in chapter 196, Laws of 2003, and found to fully comply with all provisions of chapter 196, Laws of 2003.

Recognizes the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program serves a public purpose by augmenting the state of Washington public school system speech pathology education.

Recognizes that good language skills are essential for productive adults and that public schools in the state of Washington provide trained speech pathologists to assist children who lack adequate verbal communication skills to compete successfully in the challenges of securing an education.

Recognizes that the task of teaching students to speak well is a formidable one and sees shrinking public funding as an obstacle in providing sufficient professional staff to realize that goal.

Recognizes that professionally trained and nationally certified speech pathologists are provided at no cost by the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program, a qualified nonprofit charitable organization, to preschool and school-age children.

Provides that, to aid the public schools in teaching essential speech skills, a "Helping Kids Speak" license plate is established.