FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6466

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.

C 22 L 16 E 1

FULL VETO

VETO OVERRIDE

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating a work group to develop a plan for removing obstacles for higher education students with disabilities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Habib, Dammeier, Darneille, Liias, Roach, Keiser, Frockt, Becker, Hasegawa, Conway and McAuliffe).

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Higher Education

Background: Federal Regulation. Postsecondary schools are prohibited from discriminating against students on the basis of disability under two federal laws. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) prohibits entities that receive federal financial assistance, which includes institutions of higher education, from discriminating against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) also protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and covers a broader range of schools. The Rehabilitation Act applies to schools that receive federal funds and the ADA applies to state and locally funded and private-sector schools, with the exception of those that are controlled by religious entities. The Rehabilitation Act and ADA define individuals with disabilities as an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Under the laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, postsecondary schools are required to provide equal access to education to qualified students through academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services, such as extending time allowed for taking tests and providing sign language interpreters. In addition, postsecondary schools must ensure physical access to buildings on campus.

Core Services. Each public institution of higher education must ensure that students with disabilities are reasonably accommodated within that institution. The institution must provide students with disabilities with the appropriate core service or services necessary to ensure equal access. Core services include:

Accommodations. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities must be provided as appropriate for all aspects of college and university life, including recruitment, applications, enrollment, registration, financial aid, coursework, research, academic counseling, housing programs, and nonacademic services.

Summary: The Council of Presidents (COP) must convene a workgroup to develop a plan for removing obstacles for students with disabilities. The work group must include:

The plan must, but is not limited to:

The COP must provide the plan to the higher education committees of the Legislature by December 31, 2016.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

48

0

House

97

0

Votes on Veto Override:

First Special Session

Senate

42

0

House

89

5

Effective:

June 28, 2016