FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5197

C 233 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Taking measures to promote safe school buildings.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Dammeier, Rolfes, Litzow, Billig, Mullet, Becker, Hill, Hargrove, Braun, Honeyford, Roach and Hewitt).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Capital Budget

Background: Currently, every school board of directors, unless otherwise specifically provided by law, must:

• cause all school buildings to be properly heated, lighted, ventilated, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition; and

• maintain, repair, furnish, and insure school buildings.

Summary: Districts must work with local law enforcement to develop an emergency response system to expedite the response and arrival of law enforcement. Districts must submit a progress report by December 1, 2014. Districts must consider installing perimeter security control and using building designs with certain safety features.

The School Safety Advisory Committee must develop model policies regarding emergency response appropriate for a range of scenarios, and develop recommendations for incorporating specified school safety features in the planning and design of new or remodeled facilities. A report is required by December 1, 2013.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction must allocate grants on a competitive basis, if funds are appropriated, for districts to implement emergency response systems.

Nothing in the provisions of the act create civil liability or create a new cause of action or new theory of negligence against a school board, school district, or the state.

Votes on Final Passage: