SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5176

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1999

Title:  An act relating to refusals to leave school property.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the arrest of persons who willfully refuse to leave school grounds after being ordered to do so.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Eide, Long, Costa, Goings, Oke, Winsley and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/18/99, 2/1/99 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/10/99, 38-7.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5176 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Benton, Brown, Finkbeiner, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen, Sellar, Swecker and Zarelli.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  Under the current law, it is a gross misdemeanor for individuals to remain on school property after being ordered to leave.  Some school districts have had experiences where law enforcement officers were reluctant to arrest trespassers.

Summary of Bill:  Police officers may arrest individuals who refuse to leave school property after being ordered to leave.  The new section is also added to the criminal code.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will provide a useful tool for school officials when faced with trespassers who are creating a disturbance and will not leave school grounds voluntarily.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  PRO:  Sherri Williams, Public School Employees; Joe Pope, Association of Washington School Principals.