HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6650

As Reported by House Committee On:

Education

Title:  An act relating to classroom remembrances of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Brief Description:  Allowing for adoption of classroom policies to remember the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Sheahan, Long, McAuliffe, Eide, Keiser, Benton, Oke and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Education:  2/27/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Allows for school districts to adopt policies providing for an annual moment of silence to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Haigh, Vice Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Cox, McDermott, Rockefeller, Santos, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Ilene Miller (786‑7310).

Background:

The board of directors of each school district has broad discretionary powers to adopt written policies so long as the policies are not in conflict with other laws.  Before adopting a policy, the school district board of directors must comply with the notice requirements as required in the open public meetings act.  A statement that describes the proposed policy must also be included in the notice.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The board of directors of each school district may adopt policies that allow for a moment of silence in classrooms to remember the victims of September 11, 2001.  If policies are adopted, they must encourage the creation of student committees to establish additional remembrance activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill serves to remind students in years to come what freedom means.  We will remember the events of September 11, 2001 for the rest of our lives as it was a defining moment in American history.  It is appropriate that we pay respect to those victims by rendering a moment of silence.  This moment of silence will provide an example for other states to follow.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Shin, prime sponsor; Peter Hennessy, Daniel Marx, James Musladin, Cody McAllister, Grant Tenney, Walter Cobchek, and Ryan Ellis, Citizens; and Rainer Houser, Association of Washington School Principals.