SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6234

BYSenate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators von Reichbauer, Smitherman, Saling and Gaspard)

Changing safety requirements for colleges and universities.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 16, 1990; January 23, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6234 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Scott Huntley (786-7421)

                  January 25, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 6, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6234 as recommended by Committee on Higher Education be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Saling, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7913)

                  February 14, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Many studies and reports, both in this state and across the nation, have shown increasing levels of criminal activity on college and university campuses.  Recent serious crime incidents in Washington, including a double murder on the University of Washington campus, have highlighted the campus safety issue in this state.

In this state each of the public four-year institutions have the authority to establish campus police forces.  All of these institutions, with the exception of The Evergreen State College, have established a fully trained and commissioned police force for their campuses (Western Washington University is in the process of re-creating its commissioned police force).  The community colleges do not have the authority to create such a police force for their respective campuses.  Each of the state four-year institutions, with the exception of The Evergreen State College, maintain crime statistics for their campus, and report campus crime statistics to the state uniform crime report.  None of the community colleges make such reports.

Four states, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana, have enacted legislation requiring public colleges and universities to maintain records on criminal activity and safety procedures on campus, and to make these records available to students, faculty, staff, and candidates for admission (and their parents).  It is argued that such legislation ensures that necessary safety information is made available to the campus community, assisting members of that community in making educated choices and taking safety precautions while on campus.  Similar legislation is being introduced in California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and in the United States Congress.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature declares that providing for the safety of students, faculty, and staff is a primary responsibility of the governing boards and administrations of the state colleges and universities.

The boards of regents and trustees of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall each establish a fully commissioned police force for their own institutions.  Resident police forces are not required at branch campuses.

The boards of trustees of each of the community colleges may  establish a fully commissioned police force for their own institutions.

The members of police forces established by state institutions of higher education shall be general authority peace officers of the state as defined in statute.  Such police force members shall be subject to the education and training requirements for law enforcement personnel established under Chapter 43.101 RCW.

The boards of trustees of community college districts are granted the same authority as the boards of state four-year institutions regarding parking and vehicular traffic upon lands and facilities of the colleges.  The community college boards are granted the same authority as the boards of the state four-year institutions concerning the provision of death, disability, or injury benefits for any duly sworn police officer.

Each state institution of higher education is required to report crime statistics, annually, for the Washington State uniform crime report.

Each state institution of higher education is required to publish and distribute a report of crime statistics and crime rates at the institution.  Upon request, the institutions shall provide the report to every person who submits an application for admission to either a main or branch campus and to each new employee at the time of employment.

Information regarding an institution's security policies and procedures shall be provided to every person who submits an application for admission, to every new employee at the time of employment, and annually to all students and employees. Institutions which maintain housing facilities shall include information regarding security procedures in place at those facilities in the information provided to applicants, students and employees. Community colleges may provide alternative information to students and staff at small off-campus sites enrolling less than 100 students. 

Each state institution of higher education will establish a task force to annually examine campus security and safety issues.  The institution's administration, faculty, staff, students and police or security organization shall be represented on the task force.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION:  Aza Hadas, Washington Association for Safety in Higher Education (pro); Barney Issel, Eastern Washington University (pro); Mary Lou O'Neil, The Evergreen State College (con); Brenden Williams, The Evergreen State College (pro); James Dannen, The Evergreen State College (con); Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees (pro); Larry Savage, The Evergreen State College (con); Gail Martin, V.P. Student Affairs, The Evergreen State College (con); Marcia Savage (pro); Fred Romero, State Board for Community College Education (pro); Joe Johnson, Clark Community College (pro); Wally Sigman, Skagit Valley Community College (pro); Larry Rebo, Shoreline Community College (pro); Judy McNickle, Western Washington University; Lisa Surber, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Scott LaFramboise, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Dorothy Weber, mother of rape victim (pro); Dave Waring, Washington State University; Charlene Coke, Washington Association for Safety in Higher Education (pro); Anne Sunrise

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Jennifer Jaech, The Evergreen State College; Gail Martin, The Evergreen State College; Marylou O'Neil, Student Union, The Evergreen State College; Mark Brown, WA Federation of State Employees; Sgt. Larry Savage, citizen