SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6174

BYSenators Anderson, Thorsness, Madsen and Newhouse

Prohibiting high school dropouts from obtaining or keeping drivers' permits or licenses.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6174 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Benitz, Craswell, Metcalf.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Bender, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  February 8, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In many areas of the state, over 25 percent of the students drop out of high school.  West Virginia, Florida, Texas and Wisconsin have enacted laws denying driving privileges to teens who have dropped out of school.  In Washington, persons must be sixteen to be eligible to drive.  At fifteen and a half, persons are eligible to apply for driving instruction permits.

Under the compulsory attendance laws, Chapter 28A.27 RCW, all persons between the ages of eight through eighteen must attend a public school unless the child:  1) attends an approved private school;  2) receives home-based instruction; 3) is excused because the child is physically or mentally unable to attend school or attends a state residential school; 4) is temporarily excused upon the request of the parents for purposes agreed to by the school authorities and the parent; or 5) is fifteen years of age or older and has learned and is proficient in the subjects required to be taught in the first nine grades, is gainfully employed, has met graduation requirements, or has received a certificate of educational competence.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing shall deny or revoke the driving instruction permit or driver's license of any person under the age of eighteen who is required to attend school if that person has ten consecutive days or fifteen total days of unexcused absences in any one semester or the equivalent of one semester.  Absences due to suspension or expulsion are included. 

The high school principal or appropriate school official notifies the Department of Licensing about any student over the age of 15 with the required number of absences. 

In processing applications for permits or drivers' licenses for persons under the age of eighteen, the Department of Licensing must require proof of high school attendance if the person is required to attend school.

The Department of Licensing and the Superintendent of Public Instruction adopt rules.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Parents or guardians are permitted to request that their children be eligible for drivers' licenses or instruction permits if the parent or guardian submits a request stating that their child is receiving or has received an adequate education.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  T. Slade Van Tine, student; Debbie Van Tine, parent; Neal Powell, White River School District and Association of Washington School Principals; CON:  John L. Sorrell, parent; Don Johnson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction