BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to requiring compliance with school attendance laws for minors to earn the privilege to drive; amending RCW 46.20.100; adding new sections to chapter 28A.225 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.82 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.20 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.225 RCW to read as follows:

(1) When a school district files a petition under RCW 28A.225.030, the school district shall notify the department of licensing. The school district may notify the department of licensing immediately or at the end of the academic semester or quarter.

(2) A school district shall notify the department of licensing at the end of each academic semester or quarter about any minor who has dropped out of school.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.225 RCW to read as follows:

A minor shall not be permitted to enroll in a traffic safety education course unless the minor can demonstrate compliance with the school attendance laws under RCW 28A.225.010.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.82 RCW to read as follows:

A driver training school may not provide instruction in the operation of an automobile to a minor unless the minor demonstrates compliance with the school attendance laws under RCW 28A.225.010.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.20.100 and 1990 c 250 s 36 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of licensing shall not consider an application of any minor under the age of eighteen years for a driver's license or the issuance of a motorcycle endorsement for a particular category unless:

(1) The application is also signed by a parent or guardian having the custody of such minor, or in the event a minor under the age of eighteen has no father, mother, or guardian, then a driver's license shall not be issued to the minor unless his or her application is also signed by the minor's employer; ((~~and~~))

(2) The application contains a proof of compliance with the compulsory attendance laws under RCW 28A.225.010; and

(3) The applicant has satisfactorily completed a traffic safety education course as defined in RCW 28A.220.020, conducted by a recognized secondary school, that meets the standards established by the office of the state superintendent of public instruction or the applicant has satisfactorily completed a traffic safety education course, conducted by a commercial driving instruction enterprise, that meets the standards established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and is officially approved by that office on an annual basis: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the director may upon a showing that an applicant was unable to take or complete a driver education course waive that requirement if the applicant shows to the satisfaction of the department that a need exists for the applicant to operate a motor vehicle and he or she has the ability to operate a motor vehicle in such a manner as not to jeopardize the safety of persons or property, under rules to be promulgated by the department in concert with the supervisor of the traffic safety education section, office of the superintendent of public instruction. For a person under the age of eighteen years to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, he or she must successfully complete a motorcycle safety education course that meets the standards established by the department of licensing.

The department may waive any education requirement under this subsection for an applicant previously licensed to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle outside this state if the applicant provides proof satisfactory to the department that he or she has had education equivalent to that required under this subsection.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 46.20 RCW to read as follows:

Upon receipt of a notice from a school district that a truancy petition has been filed under RCW 28A.225.030 or that the minor has dropped out of school, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of the minor until the minor can demonstrate compliance with RCW 28A.225.010. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with school districts and the department of licensing, shall develop necessary forms and procedures for minors to demonstrate compliance with RCW 28A.225.010 and for school districts to notify the department of licensing when truancy petitions are filed or minors drop out of school. The procedures shall be established and available for use not later than August 15, 1998.