BILL REQ. #:  S-0256.1 

Read first time 01/15/09.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a University of Washington center for human rights; adding a new section to chapter 28B.20 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.20 RCW to read as follows:
     A University of Washington center for human rights is created. The mission of the center is to expand opportunities for Washington residents to receive a world-class education in human rights, generate research data and expert knowledge to enhance public and private policymaking, and become an academic center for human rights teaching and research in the nation. Key substantive issues for the center include: The rights of all persons to security against violence; the rights of immigrants, native Americans, and ethnic or religious minorities; human rights and the environment; health as a human right; human rights and trade; the human rights of working people; and women's rights as human rights.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of this act.