FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5543

C 205 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Improving student safety.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, McAuliffe, Eide, Regala, Rasmussen, Thibaudeau, Costa, Kohl‑Welles and Winsley; by request of Governor Locke; Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background:  Current law requires the State Board of Education, upon the advice of the Washington State Patrol's Director of Fire Protection, to adopt and distribute 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.

Summary:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), in consultation with stakeholders, must provide guidance to school districts in developing comprehensive safe school plans.  The guidance must at least include a safety checklist and model safety plans.  The model plans must include the following components:  (1) prevention, (2) intervention, (3) all hazards/crisis response, and (4) post-crisis recovery.  Additionally, the SPI must establish timelines for districts to develop safety plans and must require districts to periodically report progress regarding the plans.

The State Board of Education's rule-making authority requiring emergency evacuation plans at public and private schools is removed.

Information compiled in the development of safety plans, to the extent it identifies school vulnerabilities, is exempt from public disclosure.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate460

House893(House amended)

Senate450(Senate concurred)

Effective:  March 27, 2002 (Sections 2 and 4)

June 13, 2002

September 1, 2002 (Section 3)