BILL REQ. #:  S-0279.1 



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SENATE BILL 5248
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State of Washington61st Legislature2009 Regular Session

By Senators Hobbs, King, McAuliffe, Brown, Kauffman, Holmquist, Tom, Shin, Hewitt, Brandland, McDermott, Jarrett, Kilmer, Haugen, and Roach

Read first time 01/19/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.



     AN ACT Relating to the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children; amending RCW 28A.225.330, 28A.225.160, 28A.185.030, 28A.180.040, 28A.225.210, and 28A.225.225; adding a new section to chapter 28A.225 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   


     ARTICLE I          PURPOSE


     It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:
     A. Facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records from the previous school districts or variations in entrance and age requirements;
     B. Facilitating the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment;
     C. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities;
     D. Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families;
     E. Providing for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact;
     F. Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact;
     G. Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military children; and
     H. Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student in order to achieve educational success for the student.


     ARTICLE II          DEFINITIONS


     As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires a different construction:
     A. "Active duty" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the national guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Secs. 1209 and 1211.
     B. "Children of military families" means school-aged children, enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the household of an active duty member.
     C. "Compact commissioner" means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed pursuant to Article VIII of this compact.
     D. "Deployment" means the period one month prior to the service members' departure from their home station on military orders through six months after return to their home station.
     E. "Education records" or "educational records" means those official records, files, and data directly related to a student and maintained by the school or local education agency, including but not limited to, records encompassing all the material kept in the student's cumulative folder such as general identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualized education programs.
     F. "Extracurricular activities" means a voluntary activity sponsored by the school or local education agency or an organization sanctioned by the local education agency. Extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities.
     G. "Interstate commission on educational opportunity for military children" means the commission that is created under Article IX of this compact, which is generally referred to as the interstate commission.
     H. "Local education agency" means a public authority legally constituted by the state as an administrative agency to provide control of and direction for kindergarten through twelfth grade public educational institutions.
     I. "Member state" means a state that has enacted this compact.
     J. "Military installation" means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the United States department of defense, including any leased facility, which is located within any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. territory. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.
     K. "Nonmember state" means a state that has not enacted this compact.
     L. "Receiving state" means the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.
     M. "Rule" means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated pursuant to Article XII of this compact that is of general applicability, implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the interstate commission, and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state, and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.
     N. "Sending state" means the state from which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.
     O. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. territory.
     P. "Student" means the child of a military family for whom the local education agency receives public funding and who is formally enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
     Q. "Transition" means: (1) The formal and physical process of transferring from school to school; or (2) the period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in the receiving state.
     R. "Uniformed services" means the army, navy, air force, marine corps, and coast guard, as well as the commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, and public health services.
     S. "Veteran" means a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.


     ARTICLE III          APPLICABILITY


     A. Except as otherwise provided in section B of this article, this compact shall apply to the children of:
     1. Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this compact, including members of the national guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Secs. 1209 and 1211;
     2. Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement; and
     3. Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after death.
     B. The provisions of this interstate compact shall only apply to local education agencies as defined in this compact.
     C. The provisions of this compact shall not apply to the children of:
     1. Inactive members of the national guard and military reserves;
     2. Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in section A of this article;
     3. Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in section A of this article; and
     4. Other U.S. department of defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.


     ARTICLE IV          EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND ENROLLMENT


     A. Unofficial or "hand-carried" education records – In the event that official education records cannot be released to the parents for the purpose of transfer, the custodian of the records in the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a complete set of unofficial educational records containing uniform information as determined by the interstate commission. Upon receipt of the unofficial education records by a school in the receiving state, the school shall enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information provided in the unofficial records pending validation by the official records, as quickly as possible.
     B. Official education records and transcripts - Simultaneous with the enrollment and conditional placement of the student, the school in the receiving state shall request the student's official education record from the school in the sending state. Upon receipt of this request, the school in the sending state will process and furnish the official education records to the school in the receiving state within ten days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the interstate commission. However, if the student has an unpaid fine at a public school or unpaid tuition, fees, or fines at a private school, then the sending school shall send the information requested but may withhold the official transcript until the monetary obligation is met.
     C. Immunizations – On or before the first day of attendance, the parent or guardian must meet the immunization documentation requirements of the Washington board of health. Compacting states shall give thirty days from the date of enrollment or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the interstate commission, for students to obtain any immunizations required by the receiving state. For a series of immunizations, initial vaccinations must be obtained within thirty days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the interstate commission.
     D. Kindergarten and first grade entrance age – Students shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade level in the receiving state commensurate with their grade level (including kindergarten) from a local education agency in the sending state at the time of transition, regardless of age. A student who has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the local education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level in the receiving state, regardless of age. A student transferring after the start of the school year in the receiving state shall enter the school in the receiving state on his or her validated level from an accredited school in the sending state.


     ARTICLE V          PLACEMENT AND ATTENDANCE


     A. Course placement - When the student transfers before or during the school year, the receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses based on the student's enrollment in the sending state school and/or educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state if the courses are offered and if space is available, as determined by the school district. Course placement includes but is not limited to honors, international baccalaureate, advanced placement, vocational, technical, and career pathways courses. Continuing the student's academic program from the previous school and promoting placement in academically and career challenging courses should be paramount when considering placement. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the student in the courses.
     B. Educational program placement – The receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational programs based on current educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state or participation and placement in like programs in the sending state and if space is available, as determined by the school district. Such programs include, but are not limited to: (1) Gifted and talented programs; and (2) English as a second language (ESL). This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.
     C. Special education services – (1) In compliance with the federal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq., the receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on his or her current Individualized Education Program (IEP); and (2) in compliance with the requirements of section 504 of the rehabilitation act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 794, and with Title II of the Americans with disabilities act, 42 U.S.C. Secs. 12131-12165, the receiving state shall make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II plan, to provide the student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.
     D. Placement flexibility – Local education agency administrative officials shall have flexibility in waiving course and program prerequisites, or other preconditions for placement in courses and programs offered under the jurisdiction of the local education agency.
     E. Absence as related to deployment activities – A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by this compact, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local education agency superintendent to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or guardian.


     ARTICLE VI          ELIGIBILITY


     A. Eligibility for enrollment
     1. Special power of attorney, relative to the guardianship of a child of a military family and executed under applicable law shall be sufficient for the purposes of enrollment and all other actions requiring parental participation and consent.
     2. A local education agency shall be prohibited from charging local tuition to a transitioning military child placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent.
     3. A transitioning military child, placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent, may continue to attend the school in which he or she was enrolled while residing with the custodial parent.
     B. Eligibility for extracurricular participation - Under RCW 28A.225.280, the Washington interscholastic activities association and local education agencies shall facilitate the opportunity for transitioning military children's inclusion in extracurricular activities, regardless of application deadlines, to the extent they are otherwise qualified and space is available, as determined by the school district.


     ARTICLE VII          GRADUATION


     In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of military families, states and local education agencies shall incorporate the following procedures:
     A. Waiver requirements – Local education agency administrative officials shall waive specific courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed in another local education agency or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, the local education agency shall use best efforts to provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time.
     B. Exit exams - For students entering high school in eleventh or twelfth grade, states shall accept: (1) Exit or end-of-course exams required for graduation from the sending state; or (2) national norm-referenced achievement tests; or (3) alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state. In the event the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a student transferring in his or her senior year, then the provisions of section C of this article shall apply.
     C. Transfers during senior year – Should a military student transferring at the beginning or during his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving local education agencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency, if the student meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education agency. In the event that one of the states in question is not a member of this compact, the member state shall use best efforts to facilitate the on-time graduation of the student in accordance with sections A and B of this article.


     ARTICLE VIII          STATE COORDINATION


     A. Each member state shall, through the creation of a state council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies, and military installations concerning the state's participation in, and compliance with, this compact and interstate commission activities. While each member state may determine the membership of its own state council, its membership must include at least: The state superintendent of public instruction, a superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children, a representative from a military installation, one representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government, and other offices and stakeholder groups the state council deems appropriate. A member state that does not have a school district deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the state council.
     B. The state council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this compact.
     C. The compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the state's participation in the compact shall be appointed by the governor or as otherwise determined by each member state. The governor is strongly encouraged to appoint a practicing K-12 educator as the compact commissioner.
     D. The compact commissioner and the military family education liaison designated herein shall be ex officio members of the state council, unless either is already a full voting member of the state council.


     ARTICLE IX          INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL
          OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY CHILDREN


     The member states hereby create the "interstate commission on educational opportunity for military children." The activities of the interstate commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The interstate commission shall:
     A. Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of this compact;
     B. Consist of one interstate commission voting representative from each member state who shall be that state's compact commissioner.
     1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the interstate commission is entitled to one vote.
     2. A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the interstate commission.
     3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In the event the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the interstate commission, the governor or state council may delegate voting authority to another person from their state for a specified meeting.
     4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication;
     C. Consist of ex officio, nonvoting representatives who are members of interested organizations. Such ex officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include but not be limited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, local education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. department of defense, the education commission of the states, the interstate agreement on the qualification of educational personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military members;
     D. Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings;
     E. Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of the interstate commission and such other members of the interstate commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the executive committee shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission, with the exception of rule making, during periods when the interstate commission is not in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed necessary. The U.S. department of defense shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the executive committee;
     F. Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which the interstate commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The interstate commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests;
     G. Give public notice of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The interstate commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to:
     1. Relate solely to the interstate commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;
     2. Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;
     3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential;
     4. Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person;
     5. Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
     6. Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or
     7. Specifically relate to the interstate commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding;
     H. Cause its legal counsel or designee to certify that a meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision for any meeting, or portion of a meeting, which is closed pursuant to this provision. The interstate commission shall keep minutes which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the interstate commission;
     I. Collect standardized data concerning the educational transition of the children of military families under this compact as directed through its rules which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection, and data exchange and reporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, in so far as is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate custodian of records as identified in the bylaws and rules;
     J. Create a process that permits military officials, education officials, and parents to inform the interstate commission if and when there are alleged violations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the compact or its rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This section shall not be construed to create a private right of action against the interstate commission or any member state.


     ARTICLE X          POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION


     The interstate commission shall have the following powers:
     A. To provide for dispute resolution among member states;
     B. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, and obligations as enumerated in this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact;
     C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions;
     D. To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the interstate commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including but not limited to the use of judicial process;
     E. To establish and maintain offices which shall be located within one or more of the member states;
     F. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
     G. To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel;
     H. To establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by Article IX, section E of this compact, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder;
     I. To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants, and to fix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications; and to establish the interstate commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel;
     J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it;
     K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed;
     L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed;
     M. To establish a budget and make expenditures;
     N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the interstate commission;
     O. To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the interstate commission;
     P. To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity;
     Q. To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data;
     R. To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws;
     S. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact; and
     T. To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact.


     ARTICLE XI          ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION


     A. The interstate commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within twelve months after the first interstate commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to:
     1. Establishing the fiscal year of the interstate commission;
     2. Establishing an executive committee, and such other committees as may be necessary;
     3. Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the interstate commission;
     4. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the interstate commission, and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meeting;
     5. Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the interstate commission;
     6. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the interstate commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving of all of its debts and obligations; and
     7. Providing "start up" rules for initial administration of the compact.
     B. The interstate commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the interstate commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the interstate commission; provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the interstate commission.
     C. Executive committee, officers, and personnel
     1. The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in the bylaws, including but not limited to:
     a. Managing the affairs of the interstate commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the interstate commission;
     b. Overseeing an organizational structure within, and appropriate procedures for the interstate commission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support functions; and
     c. Planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the interstate commission.
     2. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the interstate commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as the interstate commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the interstate commission, but shall not be a member of the interstate commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the interstate commission.
     D. The interstate commission's executive director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided, that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
     1. The liability of the interstate commission's executive director and employees or interstate commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person's employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person's state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The interstate commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
     2. The interstate commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the attorney general or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an interstate commission representative, shall defend such interstate commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.
     3. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the interstate commission, the representatives or employees of the interstate commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorneys' fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.


     ARTICLE XII          RULE-MAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION


     A. Rule-making authority - The interstate commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the interstate commission exercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.
     B. Rule-making procedure - Rules shall be made pursuant to a rule-making process that substantially conforms to the "model state administrative procedure act," of 1981, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the interstate commission.
     C. Not later than thirty days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule; provided, that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the interstate commission's authority.
     D. If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any compacting state.


     ARTICLE XIII          OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION


     A. Oversight
     1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.
     2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the interstate commission.
     3. The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.
     B. Default, technical assistance, suspension, and termination - If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall:
     1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default, and any action taken by the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default;
     2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default;
     3. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default;
     4. Suspension or termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and each of the member states;
     5. The state which has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination;
     6. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or which has been suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state;
     7. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorneys' fees.
     C. Dispute Resolution
     1. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and which may arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.
     2. The interstate commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
     D. Enforcement
     1. The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
     2. The interstate commission, may by majority vote of the members, initiate legal action in the United State District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorneys' fees.
     3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.


     ARTICLE XIV          FINANCING OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION


     A. The interstate commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
     B. The interstate commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the interstate commission and its staff which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the interstate commission's annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.
     C. The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the interstate commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.
     D. The interstate commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the interstate commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the interstate commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the interstate commission.


     ARTICLE XV          MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE, AND AMENDMENT


     A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.
     B. The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than ten of the states. The effective date shall be no earlier than December 1, 2007.
     Thereafter it shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The governors of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the interstate commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.
     C. The interstate commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the interstate commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.


     ARTICLE XVI          WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION


     A. Withdrawal
     1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state; provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute, which enacted the compact into law.
     2. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until one year after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the governor of each other member jurisdiction.
     3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the interstate commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this compact in the withdrawing state. The interstate commission shall notify the other member states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty days of its receipt thereof.
     4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations, the performance of which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
     5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the interstate commission.
     B. Dissolution of compact
     1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state which reduces the membership in the compact to one member state.
     2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.


     ARTICLE XVII          SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION


     A. The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.
     B. The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
     C. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.


     ARTICLE XVIII          BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS


     A. Other laws
     1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.
     2. All member states' laws conflicting with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
     B. Binding effect of the compact
     1. All lawful actions of the interstate commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the interstate commission, are binding upon the member states.
     2. All agreements between the interstate commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.
     3. In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.225.330 and 2006 c 263 s 805 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When enrolling a student who has attended school in another school district, the school enrolling the student may request the parent and the student to briefly indicate in writing whether or not the student has:
     (a) Any history of placement in special educational programs;
     (b) Any past, current, or pending disciplinary action;
     (c) Any history of violent behavior, or behavior listed in RCW 13.04.155;
     (d) Any unpaid fines or fees imposed by other schools; and
     (e) Any health conditions affecting the student's educational needs.
     (2) The school enrolling the student shall request the school the student previously attended to send the student's permanent record including records of disciplinary action, history of violent behavior or behavior listed in RCW 13.04.155, attendance, immunization records, and academic performance. If the student has not paid a fine or fee under RCW 28A.635.060, or tuition, fees, or fines at approved private schools the school may withhold the student's official transcript, but shall transmit information about the student's academic performance, special placement, immunization records, records of disciplinary action, and history of violent behavior or behavior listed in RCW 13.04.155. If the official transcript is not sent due to unpaid tuition, fees, or fines, the enrolling school shall notify both the student and parent or guardian that the official transcript will not be sent until the obligation is met, and failure to have an official transcript may result in exclusion from extracurricular activities or failure to graduate.
     (3) Upon request, school districts shall furnish a set of unofficial educational records to a parent or guardian of a student who is transferring out of state and who meets the definition of a child of a military family in transition under section 1, Article II of this act. School districts may charge the parent or guardian the actual cost of providing the copies of the records.
     (4) If information is requested under subsection (2) of this section, the information shall be transmitted within two school days after receiving the request and the records shall be sent as soon as possible. The records of a student who meets the definition of a child of a military family in transition under section 1, Article II of this act shall be sent within ten days after receiving the request. Any school district or district employee who releases the information in compliance with this section is immune from civil liability for damages unless it is shown that the school district employee acted with gross negligence or in bad faith. The professional educator standards board shall provide by rule for the discipline under chapter 28A.410 RCW of a school principal or other chief administrator of a public school building who fails to make a good faith effort to assure compliance with this subsection.
     (((4))) (5) Any school district or district employee who releases the information in compliance with federal and state law is immune from civil liability for damages unless it is shown that the school district or district employee acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.
     (((5))) (6) When a school receives information under this section or RCW 13.40.215 that a student has a history of disciplinary actions, criminal or violent behavior, or other behavior that indicates the student could be a threat to the safety of educational staff or other students, the school shall provide this information to the student's teachers and security personnel.

Sec. 3   RCW 28A.225.160 and 2006 c 263 s 703 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and otherwise provided by law, it is the general policy of the state that the common schools shall be open to the admission of all persons who are five years of age and less than twenty-one years residing in that school district. Except as otherwise provided by law or rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction, districts may establish uniform entry qualifications, including but not limited to birth date requirements, for admission to kindergarten and first grade programs of the common schools. Such rules may provide for exceptions based upon the ability, or the need, or both, of an individual student. For the purpose of complying with any rule adopted by the superintendent of public instruction that authorizes a preadmission screening process as a prerequisite to granting exceptions to the uniform entry qualifications, a school district may collect fees to cover expenses incurred in the administration of any preadmission screening process: PROVIDED, That in so establishing such fee or fees, the district shall adopt ((regulations)) rules for waiving and reducing such fees in the cases of those persons whose families, by reason of their low income, would have difficulty in paying the entire amount of such fees.
     (2) A student who meets the definition of a child of a military family in transition under section 1, Article II of this act shall be permitted to continue enrollment at the grade level in the common schools commensurate with the grade level of the student when attending school in the sending state as defined in section 1, Article II of this act, regardless of age or birthdate requirements.

Sec. 4   RCW 28A.185.030 and 1984 c 278 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     Local school districts may establish and operate, either separately or jointly, programs for highly capable students. Such authority shall include the right to employ and pay special instructors and to operate such programs jointly with a public institution of higher education. Local school districts which establish and operate programs for highly capable students shall adopt identification procedures and provide educational opportunities as follows:
     (1) In accordance with rules ((and regulations)) adopted by the superintendent of public instruction, school districts shall implement procedures for nomination, assessment and selection of their most highly capable students. Nominations shall be based upon data from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Assessment shall be based upon a review of each student's capability as shown by multiple criteria intended to reveal, from a wide variety of sources and data, each student's unique needs and capabilities. Selection shall be made by a broadly based committee of professionals, after consideration of the results of the multiple criteria assessment.
     (2) When a student, who is a child of a military family in transition, has been assessed or enrolled as highly capable by a sending school, the receiving school shall initially honor placement of the student into a like program.
     (a) The receiving school shall determine whether the district's program is a like program when compared to the sending school's program; and
     (b) The receiving school may conduct subsequent assessments to determine appropriate placement and continued enrollment in the program.
     (3) Students selected pursuant to procedures outlined in this section shall be provided, to the extent feasible, an educational opportunity which takes into account each student's unique needs and capabilities and the limits of the resources and program options available to the district, including those options which can be developed or provided by using funds allocated by the superintendent of public instruction for that purpose.
     (4) The definitions in section 1, Article II of this act apply to subsection (2) of this section.

Sec. 5   RCW 28A.180.040 and 2001 1st sp.s. c 6 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every school district board of directors shall:
     (((1))) (a) Make available to each eligible pupil transitional bilingual instruction to achieve competency in English, in accord with rules of the superintendent of public instruction((.));
     (((2))) (b) Wherever feasible, ensure that communications to parents emanating from the schools shall be appropriately bilingual for those parents of pupils in the bilingual instruction program((.));
     (((3))) (c) Determine, by administration of an English test approved by the superintendent of public instruction the number of eligible pupils enrolled in the school district at the beginning of a school year and thereafter during the year as necessary in individual cases((.));
     (((4))) (d) Ensure that a student who is a child of a military family in transition and who has been assessed as in need of, or enrolled in, a bilingual instruction program, the receiving school shall initially honor placement of the student into a like program.
     (i) The receiving school shall determine whether the district's program is a like program when compared to the sending school's program; and
     (ii) The receiving school may conduct subsequent assessments pursuant to RCW 28A.180.090 to determine appropriate placement and continued enrollment in the program;
     (e) Before the conclusion of each school year, measure each eligible pupil's improvement in learning the English language by means of a test approved by the superintendent of public instruction((.)); and
     (((5))) (f) Provide in-service training for teachers, counselors, and other staff, who are involved in the district's transitional bilingual program. Such training shall include appropriate instructional strategies for children of culturally different backgrounds, use of curriculum materials, and program models.
     (2) The definitions in section 1, Article II of this act apply to subsection (1)(d) of this section.

Sec. 6   RCW 28A.225.210 and 1990 c 33 s 235 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every school district shall admit on a tuition free basis: (1) All persons of school age who reside within this state, and do not reside within another school district carrying the grades for which they are eligible to enroll: PROVIDED, That nothing in this ((section)) subsection shall be construed as affecting RCW 28A.225.220 or 28A.225.250; and (2) all students who meet the definition of children of military families in transition under section 1, Article II of this act who are in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis and who lives in another state while the parent is under military orders.

Sec. 7   RCW 28A.225.225 and 2008 c 192 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except for students who reside out-of-state and students under section 8 of this act, a district shall accept applications from nonresident students who are the children of full-time certificated and classified school employees, and those children shall be permitted to enroll:
     (a) At the school to which the employee is assigned;
     (b) At a school forming the district's K through 12 continuum which includes the school to which the employee is assigned; or
     (c) At a school in the district that provides early intervention services pursuant to RCW 28A.155.065 or preschool services pursuant to RCW 28A.155.070, if the student is eligible for such services.
     (2) A district may reject applications under this section if:
     (a) The student's disciplinary records indicate a history of convictions for offenses or crimes, violent or disruptive behavior, or gang membership;
     (b) The student has been expelled or suspended from a public school for more than ten consecutive days. Any policy allowing for readmission of expelled or suspended students under this subsection (2)(b) must apply uniformly to both resident and nonresident applicants; or
     (c) Enrollment of a child under this section would displace a child who is a resident of the district, except that if a child is admitted under subsection (1) of this section, that child shall be permitted to remain enrolled at that school, or in that district's kindergarten through twelfth grade continuum, until he or she has completed his or her schooling.
     (3) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, all districts accepting applications from nonresident students or from students receiving home-based instruction for admission to the district's schools shall consider equally all applications received. Each school district shall adopt a policy establishing rational, fair, and equitable standards for acceptance and rejection of applications by June 30, 1990. The policy may include rejection of a nonresident student if:
     (a) Acceptance of a nonresident student would result in the district experiencing a financial hardship;
     (b) The student's disciplinary records indicate a history of convictions for offenses or crimes, violent or disruptive behavior, or gang membership; or
     (c) The student has been expelled or suspended from a public school for more than ten consecutive days. Any policy allowing for readmission of expelled or suspended students under this subsection (3)(c) must apply uniformly to both resident and nonresident applicants.
     For purposes of subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b) of this section, "gang" means a group which: (i) Consists of three or more persons; (ii) has identifiable leadership; and (iii) on an ongoing basis, regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes.
     (4) The district shall provide to applicants written notification of the approval or denial of the application in a timely manner. If the application is rejected, the notification shall include the reason or reasons for denial and the right to appeal under RCW 28A.225.230(3).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 28A.225 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A student shall be permitted to remain enrolled in the school in which the student was enrolled while residing with the custodial parent if the student:
     (a) Meets the definition of a child of a military family in transition under section 1, Article II of this act; and
     (b) Is placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or guardian when the custodial parent is required to relocate due to military orders.
     (2) A nonresident school district shall not be required to provide transportation to and from the school unless otherwise required by state or federal law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   By December 1, 2014, the state council, created in accordance with section 1 of this act, shall conduct a review of the implementation of the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children and recommend to the state legislature whether Washington should continue to be a member of the compact and whether any other actions should be taken.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   Sections 1 and 9 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.

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