AN ACT Relating to adult literacy; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; making appropriations; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that a literate citizenry contributes to the economic and social well-being of the state. It is the intent of the legislature that all residents sixteen years of age or older who desire to improve their literacy skills shall have access to literacy services. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide assistance to literacy programs throughout the state and coordinate state literacy efforts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is hereby established the Washington council for adult literacy, referred to in this chapter as the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The council members shall be:

(a) The governor or a designee;

(b) Four members of the legislature, including one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the senate and one member from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives;

(d) The state librarian;

(e) The commissioner of the employment security department;

(f) The director of the state board for community college education;

(g) The secretary of the department of social and health services;

(h) The director of the department of community development;

(i) The secretary of corrections;

(j) Two representatives of adult literacy programs or organizations that use volunteers;

(k) A person eligible to participate or participating in adult literacy programs;

(l) A representative of business;

(m) A representative of labor;

(n) A representative of a state-wide organization representing local volunteer adult literacy programs; and

(o) A representative of public libraries.

State officials may designate representatives to serve on the committee in their place.

(2) The governor shall, within fourteen days of July 1, 1989, appoint the members of the council not otherwise designated, except those in subsection (1)(b) of this section who shall be appointed by their respective caucuses. Members shall serve two-year terms. The state librarian shall serve as chair and shall select as vice-chair a member who is not an employee of the state. The first meeting of the council shall occur within thirty days of July 1, 1989. Nonattendance at three consecutive board meetings shall constitute a resignation from the board. Vacancies shall be filled by the original appointing authority.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The council may hire staff or contract for services as necessary to carry out its duties.

The governor, agencies, and the legislature may provide additional staff and facilities as may be reasonably required to assist the council in carrying out its responsibilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The council shall develop a comprehensive plan for improved adult literacy services in the state and monitor progress toward accomplishment of the plan. In developing the plan the council shall:

(1) Identify the extent of the illiteracy problem throughout the state, including:

(a) The estimated number of adult residents who have completed fewer than four, eight, and twelve years of school; and

(b) The estimated number of adult residents who are functioning below the fourth, eighth, and twelfth grade educational level as measured by tests approved by the state board of education, consistent with RCW 28A.04.120(9).

(2) Establish evaluation procedures and criteria, including standards to measure the progress of participants in literacy training programs during and after completion of the programs, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of public and private adult literacy training programs in the state.

(3) Set guidelines for training and technical assistance for volunteer adult literacy tutors.

The council shall update the plan biannually.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The council shall promote adult literacy services coordination through programs that:

(1) Publicize and promote adult literacy programs throughout the state to encourage participation by students and volunteers and to heighten public awareness of the benefits to the state from increased literacy.

(2) Provide formal mechanisms, such as forums, seminars, and workshops, to facilitate communication among literacy service providers and upgrade service provider management and instructional skills.

(3) Facilitate the development of local literacy coalitions and assist the coalitions in coordinating, expanding, and improving local literacy services.

(4) Provide a clearinghouse for information about literacy services in the state and for referral of students and volunteers to appropriate programs.

(5) Promote and facilitate the contribution of financial and other support from the business community to adult literacy efforts.

(6) Assist the superintendent of public instruction and the state board for community college education in establishing criteria for awarding their even start and literacy tutor coordination grants and evaluating the results of programs funded under the grants.

The council may contract with existing state agencies, and community-based organizations to carry out its coordination program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The council shall provide a report to the legislature by December 1, 1989, December 1, 1990, and December 1 of every other year thereafter on the center's comprehensive plan and adult literacy services coordination program. The reports shall include recommendations on programs and funding necessary to achieve an annual increase in the level of literacy in the adult population.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The council shall cease to exist on June 30, 1999, unless extended by law for an additional fixed period of time.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:

The state board for community college education shall operate a literacy tutor coordination project. The project shall provide grants to educational institutions and local literacy programs or coalitions to coordinate the efforts of volunteer literacy tutors. The project shall consult with the Washington council for adult literacy in establishing criteria for awarding grants and evaluating the results of programs funded under the grants. The project shall place special emphasis on raising the potential for permanent employment of adult residents who desire to improve their literacy skills.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. (1) The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated to the Washington council for adult literacy from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of sections 1 through 7 of this act.

(2) The sum of nine hundred eighty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated to the Washington council for adult literacy for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of section 9 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 8 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989.