Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

ESB 5620

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 Engrossed Bill

Increases the number of school lockdown drills from one to three, and requires one other safety-related drill determined by the school.

Decreases the number of fire evacuation drills from six to three.

Background:

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction published a School Safety Planning Manual (Manual) in June 2008. The Manual is a guide for K-12 schools to create and implement safety plans in compliance with both state and federal laws, and includes the Comprehensive Safe School Plan Checklists. Legislation that passed in 2003 requires the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) to create and operate a statewide first responder building mapping information system, which maps all state and local government buildings.

School districts are required to adopt and implement safe school plans consistent with the School Mapping Information System. School districts are further required, to the extent funds are available, to review and update the safe school plans. Schools must conduct at least one safety-related drill each month that school is in session. The types of drills are specified to include one drill for lockdowns, one drill for shelter-in-place, and six drills for fire evacuation. Schools should consider drills for earthquakes, tsunamis, or high-risk events. Schools must document the time and date of drills.

Summary of Bill:

The number of school lockdown drills required by statute is increased from one to three, and the number of fire evacuation drills is decreased from six to three. Schools are also required to conduct one other safety-related drill determined by the school.