HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5479

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to clarifying transfers under the public school open enrollment program.

Brief Description:  Clarifying transfers under the public school open enrollment program with regard to home‑schooled and private school students.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Hochstatter and Oke).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  3/28/95, 3/30/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Hatfield; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  School districts may permit the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to regulate the conduct of interschool athletic and extracurricular activities.  The WIAA must submit its rules each year for the State Board of Education's approval.

The WIAA sets the eligibility requirements for participation in interscholastic activities.  Students who are receiving home-based instruction or attend approved private schools may participate in interscholastic activities in the school district where the student resides.  A full-time public school student, who transfers to a nonresident school district under the open enrollment laws, must wait one year before participating in interscholastic activities in the nonresident district.

Summary of Bill:  Students receiving home-based instruction may apply to transfer their registration to nonresident districts.  The nonresident district must consider all applications for admission equally, including those from students receiving home-based instruction.  Students receiving home-based instruction are deemed transfer students of the nonresident district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This legislation will allow home-schooled students to participate in the sport programs of nonresident school districts.  Under the legislation, these students will be required to comply with all rules regarding transfers, including having to wait a year before they participate in sports.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Hargrove, prime sponsor.