FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1110

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

Home-Based Instruction.

Washington law recognizes the desire of some parents to seek home-based instruction for their children. There are statutory requirements to insure that a sufficient basic educational opportunity is provided to children receiving home-based instruction; however, decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of curriculum, methods, and time and place of instruction are left to parental discretion.

Learning Programs and School District Notification Requirements.

Students receiving home-based instruction, as well as those enrolled in private schools, may take courses at or receive ancillary services from the local school district. For instance, such students may enroll part-time in digital programs, electronically delivered learning that occurs primarily away from the classroom. School districts are required to provide certain digital program information to students and parents, including information regarding whether or not the program covers the learning goals or essential academic learning requirements and whether it permits students to meet one or more of the state's or district's graduation requirements.

Similarly, students receiving home-based instruction or enrolled in private schools are eligible to participate in Running Start at institutions of higher education. School districts must provide general information about the program to all students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve and the parents and guardians of those students.

School districts are also required to annually inform parents of the district's intradistrict and interdistrict enrollment options and parental involvement opportunities.

Summary:

School districts may not disseminate advertising, marketing, or other unsolicited information about learning programs to students or parents who have filed the statutorily required declaration of intent regarding home-based instruction. "Learning programs" includes, but is not limited to, digital learning programs, part-time enrollment opportunities, and other alternative learning programs. School districts may respond to parents' requests for information. General mailings or newsletters sent to all households in a district are not covered by the prohibition.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	94	0
Senate	45	0