HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6533

BYSenators Owen, Craswell, Bauer, Gaspard, Bailey and Stratton

Changing provisions relating to school suspension.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dorn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Walker and K. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Cole, Rayburn and Schoon.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The State Board of Education has adopted rules regarding short-term and long-term suspension of students.  These rules are to ensure due process for students.  Local school district boards of directors also adopt codes of conduct for students.

SUMMARY:

A school district may reduce the length of a student's suspension if the student undergoes counseling or other treatment services.

This does not obligate the school district to pay for counseling or treatment services.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Karl Davies, parent; Connie Davies, parent; and Timothy D. Paschal, Central Kitsap School District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Jerry Sheehan, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There are situations where the conduct of a student may warrant suspension, but the worst possible way to deal with the problem is to suspend the student.  It may be better for the district to provide counselling or treatment for the student and consequently not suspend the student if he or she is willing to receive treatment or counselling.  Based on problems encountered by other school districts, if a district recommends counselling and provides counselling this must not open the door for the district providing unlimited counselling or treatment for the student.  This bill would make clear that the district can use counselling or treatment in lieu of suspension and the district's liability for the provision of counselling or treatment is limited to the amount of service agreed to by the district at the beginning of the suspension.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      While the idea of providing counselling or treatment may initially appear to be a good idea, this bill is too broad and vague.  There is no definition of what constitutes treatment.  There is no limitation on the time such treatment may take place.  There is no provision for providing counselling or treatment for the children of low income or minority families whose children are statistically more likely to be suspended from school and are the families least likely to be able to afford these services.  The low income or minority child is left with only the option of suspension.