(1) The authority for this chapter is sections 10 through 12, chapter 7, Laws of 2020 (EHB 2965) which authorizes the state board of education to administer an emergency waiver program.

(2) The purpose of this chapter is:

(a) To establish an emergency waiver program to grant local education agencies and private schools flexibility so that students in the graduating class of 2020 or earlier who were on track to graduate before the gubernatorial declaration of emergency of February 29, 2020, the proclamation of statewide school closures on March 13, 2020, and any subsequent amendments to these proclamations, are not negatively impacted by measures taken by the local education agency or private school in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and

(b) To allow flexibility from instructional hour or school day requirements for the 2019-20 school year for private schools that close due to the novel coronavirus.

(3) This chapter expires July 31, 2020.