Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 1856

Brief Description:  Excusing student absences for state‑recognized search and rescue activities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Morell, O'Brien, Talcott, Miloscia, Quall, Carrell, Rockefeller, Bush, Cox, Pflug, Pearson and Woods.

Brief Summary of Bill

$With the approval of a student's parent and school principal, a student may be excused from school for up to five days each year to participate in state‑recognized search and rescue activities.

Hearing Date:  1/28/02

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background:

By law, with some exceptions, all children between the ages of 8 and 18 must attend school.  Children who attend public school may be absent under limited conditions.  The school district must excuse children who are physically or mentally unable to attend school.  They must also excuse students who are absent at the parents' request for a purpose that has been agreed upon by the parents and school authorities.   However, the school cannot excuse absences that are deemed to have a seriously adverse effect on the student's educational progress.

The chief law enforcement officer of each city or county is responsible for local search and rescue operations.  These operations are conducted under the auspices of state and local plans that have been adopted by the local county or city governing board.  The operations are coordinated by the local director of emergency management.  Under certain conditions, the state will compensate local jurisdictions for the costs associated with search and rescue activities.

Summary of Bill:

With the approval of a student's parent and school principal, a student may be excused from school for up to five days each year to participate in state‑recognized search and rescue activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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