HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2276

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Provides that, within the Residential Education Programs Chapter, the term "school district" includes any of the Educational Service Districts that have agreed to provide a program of education for residential school residents on behalf of the school district as a cooperative service program.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Stonier, Vice Chair; Dahlquist, Ranking Minority Member; Magendanz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Fey, Haigh, Hargrove, Hawkins, Hayes, S. Hunt, Klippert, Lytton, Muri, Orwall, Parker, Pollet, Seaquist and Warnick.

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services and certain school districts must provide a program of education for residents who have been admitted pursuant to the Juvenile Justice Act to state institutions for juvenile rehabilitation, also called residential schools. The educational program is for residents who are less than 21 years of age and who have not met high school graduation requirements.

The school district within which the residential school is located is responsible for the educational program. School districts may use the services of an Educational Service District (ESD). The ESDs are authorized to enter into agreements with one or more school districts to provide cooperative services on their behalf and to coordinate joint purchase programs.

The school districts and counties must provide educational services to students in juvenile detention facilities. The responsibilities for these services are the same as are outline for residential schools.

Summary of Bill:

It is specified that, within the Residential Education Programs Chapter, the term "school district" includes any of the ESDs that have agreed to provide a program of education for residential school residents on behalf of the school district as a cooperative service program.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a simple bill that will help schools provide services for students in certain counties. This bill will not result in a financial cost; it will actually result in savings for the school districts impacted. The ESDs often provide services for the detention centers at the request of school districts. Some counties in which detention centers are located want the ESD to provide educational services, but certain judges have interpreted the law to prohibit county contracts with the ESDs. To contract with the ESDs, these counties had to create contracts between three parties rather than two: between the ESDs and school districts and between the school districts and the counties. This bill would allow the ESDs to contract with counties directly, resulting in a reduced number of contracting parties. This would result in services being provided in a more economical way and it would enhance accountability from the ESDs to the counties. The school districts have an obligation to meet needs of all students, even students in detentions centers. The ESDs can provide services to an entire county, even detention centers within a county. It makes sense to allow the ESDs to contract directly with counties. This bill just clarifies the current law, resulting in time and money savings.

(Opposed) None.