SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5660

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.

As of February 22, 2013

Title: An act relating to firearms safety education programs.

Brief Description: Regarding firearms safety education programs.

Sponsors: Senators Chase, McAuliffe, Nelson, Kohl-Welles and Conway.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/21/13.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)

Background: The National Rifle Association (NRA), education professionals, urban housing safety officials, clinical psychologists, and law enforcement developed the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. It was started in 1988. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program advices children if they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised situation to stop, do not touch it, leave the area, and tell an adult. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is copyrighted, but NRA allows schools to use the program and its materials.

Summary of Bill: The Office of Superintendent of Public (OSPI), within existing resources, must develop a program of instruction for firearm accident prevention for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The program must include the safety message, "stop! don't touch, leave the area, and tell an adult." The program may include instructional materials from the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, all common school districts may adopt the firearms accident prevention program developed by OSPI to instruct students in kindergarten through grade 12 in the content area addressed by the curriculum. A school district may provide additional instruction that supplements the program established by OSPI.

A school district must excuse a student from instruction regarding firearms accident prevention if the student's guardian provides the district, the student's teacher, or the administrator of the student's school with written notice that the parent or guardian wants the student to be excused from the instruction. If a student is excused from participating, the student must not be academically penalized.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.