Brief Description: Protecting preschool and elementary school students assisting in school kitchens.

Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Upthegrove, Cox, Quall and Rockefeller.

Hearing Date: 3/3/03

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

Under current law, school districts may establish, equip, and operate lunchrooms in school buildings for students, volunteers, school employees, public agencies, political subdivisions, associations that serve the public, nutrition programs, and for school and employee functions. The lunchrooms are staffed with classified personnel. At times, students are allowed to help in school kitchens.

Summary of Bill:

Before a child in preschool through grade five is allowed to work or help in a school kitchen, the appropriate food service management must have a signed permission slip from the child's parent or guardian. The slip must include the duties and responsibilities of the child and the risks the child might face.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) will adopt a policy protecting preschool through fifth grade children who work in school kitchens. The policy will regulate exposure to hazardous equipment, determine age-appropriate standards for physical kitchen activities, and require age-appropriate training. It will also require that any injury that occurs to a preschool through fifth grade child working in a school kitchen be reported to the SPI. The policy will ensure that any exposure to hazardous equipment is regulated to at least the standards for minors required by the Department of Labor and Industries.

During the process of creating the policy, the SPI will consult the Washington State School Directors, parents, and representatives of food service employee groups.

By January 1, 2004, the SPI will verify that all school districts have implemented the policy and will report to the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.