HOUSE BILL REPORT

                E2SSB 5212

 

                 As Passed House - Amended:

                        March 2, 2000

 

Title:  An act relating to school safety plans.

 

Brief Description:  Providing for school safety plans.

 

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Winsley, Thibaudeau, Franklin, Rasmussen and Costa.

 

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  2/21/00, 2/24/00 [DPA];

Appropriations:  2/26/00, 2/28/00 [DPA(APP w/o ED)s].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended:  3/2/00, 84-14.

 

   Brief Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill

            (As Amended by House Committee)

                          

$In addition to natural disasters, comprehensive school all-hazard crisis and emergency plans must cover violent acts and serious injuries or death of students and staff.

 

$A planning grant program is created; to the extent funds are appropriated for this program, they must be used by school districts to update and develop emergency plans for every school, train staff in implementing the plans, acquire materials, and practice the plans.

 

CSchool districts are strongly encouraged to implement a character education program that incorporates the character traits and values identified in the state's Basic Education Act into their curriculum.

 

CSchool districts that choose to implement a character education program in partnership with parents and community members may receive funding for that purpose in fiscal year 2001.

 

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

 

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Quall, Democratic Co-Chair; Talcott, Republican Co-Chair; Haigh, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Carlson; Cox; Keiser; Rockefeller; Santos; D. Schmidt; Schual-Berke; Stensen and Wensman.

 

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Thomas.

 

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

 

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Education.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives Huff, Republican Co-Chair; H. Sommers, Democratic Co-Chair; Barlean, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; D. Schmidt, Republican Vice Chair; Clements; Cody; Crouse; Gombosky; Grant; Kagi; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McIntire; McMorris; Parlette; Rockefeller; Ruderman; Sullivan; Tokuda and Wensman.

 

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Mulliken and Sump.

 

Staff:  Julie Salvi (786-7349).

 

Background:

 

Current law requires the State Board of Education, upon the advice of the Washington State Patrol's Director of Fire Protection, to adopt rules concerning the evacuation of schools during a "sudden emergency."  Pursuant to this authority, the state board has issued rules requiring local school boards and governing bodies of private schools to develop and practice evacuation plans.  These plans are to be taught periodically to all school personnel and practiced as frequently as may be necessary.

 

Under current law, the State Military Department is responsible for comprehensive emergency management.  "Comprehensive emergency management" means the preparation and imple­mentation of all civilian emergency functions, including responding to "disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural, technological, or human caused." 

 

 

Summary of Amended Bill:

 

The State Board of Education must consult with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)  and the State Military Department, in addition to the State Patrol, when providing and updating rules for emergency plans for school districts and schools.   In addition to evacuations for  natural disasters under previous rules, comprehensive all-hazard crisis and emergency plans must cover violent acts and serious injuries or death of students and staff.

 

The State Board of Education must issue or update rules regarding site-based plans to deal with emergency conditions and require that emergency plans be updated at least once every five years.  Emergency plans must include the following:  (1) who to contact in an emergency; (2) evacuation procedures; (3) procedures for responding to emergencies; (4) procedures for training students and certificated and classified staff; and (5) procedures for notifying local school staff of the plan.  School districts and schools must consult with local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies when developing the plans.  Parents and the community must be notified regarding the plans.

 

The Comprehensive All-hazard Crisis and Emergency Plan Development Assistance Program is created to be administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The funds, to the extent funds are appropriated for this program, must be used by school districts to update and develop emergency plans for every school, train staff in implementing the plans, acquire materials, and practice the plans.  The program exists subject to appropriation.  Priority must be given to districts that have not yet received funds.

 

The school emergency and crisis plans must include procedures for notifying parents and the community about the plans.  Character education and preventative programs to reduce the risk of a crisis caused by violence by students are required to be part of the school emergency and crisis plans.  School districts are strongly encouraged to implement, in partnership with parents and the community, character education programs that incorporate into each school's curriculum the character traits and values identified in the state's Basic Education Act.  When developing a character education program, districts must comply with the Open Meetings Act.  School districts that choose to implement a character education program may receive funding for that purpose in fiscal year 2001.  Funding for character education programs will be allocated to participating districts in an equal amount per full-time elementary student.  However, the minimum amount each participating district will receive is $200 for each elementary school in the district.  Reference in the appropriations act is required for the bill to take effect.

 

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 17, 2000.

 

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

 

Testimony For:  (Education)  Schools need plans and training to deal with violent acts in addition to natural disasters.  This bill is necessary to assist schools in preparing for natural disasters and acts of violence in schools.  This planning process involves collaboration between schools, local law enforcement, fire departments, and others.  School safety involves a good planning process, training and practicing the plan, coordinating with the community, law enforcement, and the fire department, and a program to address bullying and other problems between students.

 

(Appropriations)   None.

 

Testimony Against:    (Education)None. 

 

(Appropriations)  None.

 

Testified:    (Education)(In support)  Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Dave Horn, Attorney General's Office; Joe Pope, Association of Washington School Principals; Greg Williamson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Barbara Merton, Washington Association of School Administrators; and Nicholas Carlson, student, Englemoor High School.

 

(Appropriations)  None.