H-4542              _______________________________________________

                                    SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2359

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Valle, Peery, Betrozoff, Holland, Leonard, Rector, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Winsley, Wang, Miller and Van Luven; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Read first time 2/6/90.

AN ACT Relating to homeless education grants; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     It is the intent of the legislature to assist homeless children in participating in public education programs.  The legislature does not thereby intend to establish separate instructional programs for homeless children other than those necessary to facilitate adjustment into a regular classroom setting.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The homeless education grant program is created within the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Grants shall be awarded to joint efforts by a school district and at least one shelter for homeless families with children.  The grant application shall address the elements of staffing, the transfer of records, transportation, individual student assessment, and individualized instruction or assistance.  Applications shall be submitted to the superintendent of public instruction by June 30, 1990.  Funds shall be awarded no later than August 31, 1990.  At least five grants shall be awarded.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall monitor the progress of students who participate in the program.  The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report to the legislature by September 1, 1991, on the effectiveness of keeping homeless students in school and the approaches taken by the grant projects in meeting the needs of the homeless population.