1817-S AMH COUT WARG 159

  

SHB 1817 - H AMD 695

By Representative Couture

On page 1, after line 14, insert the following:

"Sec. RCW 28A.320.160 and 2005 c 274 s 244 are each amended to read as follows:

School districts must, ((at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of)) immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee, notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the alleged sexual misconduct. School districts shall provide parents and legal guardians with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding school employee discipline. This information ((shall)) must be provided to all parents and legal guardians on an annual basis."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

On page 2, line 7, after "parties" insert ", including the parents or legal guardians of the student or students,"

On page 2, line 12, after "must" strike "promote" insert ": (i) Promote"

On page 2, line 14, after "assault" strike ", and must" and insert "; (ii) include instruction on the parent and legal guardian notification requirement under RCW 28A.320.160; and (iii)"

On page 2, line 34, after "informed;" strike "and"

On page 2, line 35, after "(b)" insert "Include information about the school district's duty to notify parents and legal guardians immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee; and

(c)"

EFFECT: (1) Requires school districts to notify parents immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee, rather than at the first opportunity but in all cases within 48 hours of receiving such report.

(2) Requires that mandatory reporter training for school employees include instruction on the requirement for school districts to notify parents immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee.

(3) Adds that the student and family guide must include information about the school district's duty to notify parents immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee.

(4) Makes the provisions described above and associated provisions that are applicable to parents also applicable to legal guardians.

(5) Specifies that, when a school administrator is making a reasonable cause determination as to whether a student has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or assault by a school employee and is required to contact all parties involved in the complaint, the parents or legal guardians of the student or students are included as parties involved in the complaint.

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