S-581                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5171

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Fleming, Talmadge, Bauer and Niemi

Read first time 1/18/89 and referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to school programs in observance of the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.; and adding new sections to chapter 28A.02 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     During the school week preceding the third Monday of January of each year, there shall be presented in each common school educational activities suitable to the observance of the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The activities shall be of the type similarly required for veterans' day in RCW 28A.02.070.

          The responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the activities shall be with the principal or head teacher of each school building.  The activities shall be at least sixty minutes total throughout the week and shall embrace topics tending to instill a commitment to human dignity and social equality.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The superintendent of public instruction and each educational service district, by advice and suggestion, shall assist in the preparation of the activities in section 1 of this act if such assistance is requested.  The superintendent of public instruction, through the state clearinghouse for education information shall collect and disseminate to all school districts and other interested parties information about educational activities suitable to the observance of the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.02 RCW.