CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1050

Chapter 318, Laws of 2007

60th Legislature
2007 Regular Session



STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES--GRADUATION CEREMONIES



EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/04/07

Passed by the House April 14, 2007
  Yeas 94   Nays 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 2, 2007
  Yeas 44   Nays 0


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1050 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


RICHARD NAFZIGER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved May 4, 2007, 4:12 p.m.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
May 7, 2007







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1050
_____________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

Passed Legislature - 2007 Regular Session
State of Washington60th Legislature2007 Regular Session

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Upthegrove, Quall, Kagi, Pedersen, Morrell, Kenney, P. Sullivan, Jarrett, Simpson, Wallace, Cody, McDermott, Linville, Moeller, Morris, Springer, Wood, Santos, Schual-Berke, Williams, Ormsby and Hasegawa)

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/07.   



     AN ACT Relating to allowing certain students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies; adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds:
     (1) There are students with disabilities throughout the state of Washington who have attended four years of high school, but whose individualized education programs prescribe the continuation of special education and related services beyond the fourth year of high school;
     (2) Through their participation in the public schools and the community, students with disabilities have frequently become identified with and connected to a class of typically developing, age-appropriate peers who will graduate in four years and participate in a high school graduation ceremony;
     (3) A high school graduation ceremony is an important rite of passage for students regardless of their abilities or limitations; and
     (4) There is significant value in recognizing students' attendance and accomplishments in their individualized education programs and in allowing students with disabilities to participate in high school graduation ceremonies and activities with their age-appropriate peers without the forfeiture of their continuing special education and related services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning July 1, 2007, each school district that operates a high school shall establish a policy and procedures that permit any student who is receiving special education or related services under an individualized education program pursuant to state and federal law and who will continue to receive such services between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one to participate in the graduation ceremony and activities after four years of high school attendance with his or her age-appropriate peers and receive a certificate of attendance.
     (2) Participation in a graduation ceremony and receipt of a certificate of attendance under this section does not preclude a student from continuing to receive special education and related services under an individualized education program beyond the graduation ceremony.
     (3) A student's participation in a graduation ceremony and receipt of a certificate of attendance under this section shall not be construed as the student's receipt of either:
     (a) A high school diploma pursuant to RCW 28A.230.120; or
     (b) A certificate of individual achievement pursuant to RCW 28A.155.045.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act may be known and cited as Kevin's law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   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.


         Passed by the House April 14, 2007.
         Passed by the Senate April 2, 2007.
         Approved by the Governor May 4, 2007.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 7, 2007.