HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1974

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Establishes a pilot program that creates regional School Safety and Security Centers in three Educational Service Districts.
Provides for technology and training to enable efficient and effective communication between schools and emergency response entities.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Ortiz-Self, Vice Chair; Reykdal, Vice Chair; Magendanz, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stambaugh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Fagan, Gregory, Griffey, Hargrove, Hayes, S. Hunt, Kilduff, Klippert, Lytton, McCaslin, Orwall, Pollet and Springer.

Background:

Educational Service Districts (ESDs) provide cooperative, administrative, and informational services to and on behalf of school districts. The nine regional ESDs in Washington also assist the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education in the performance of their duties.

The ESD 105 created a School Safety and Security program that helps schools with prevention, protection, mitigation of harm, effective response, and recovery. The school safety and security program provides schools with technical assistance, resource networking, and collaboration to develop comprehensive plans, including the capabilities necessary to:

avoid, deter, or stop an imminent crime or mass-casualty incident;
secure schools against acts of violence and man-made or natural disasters;
eliminate or reduce the loss of life and property damage;
stabilize an emergency;
establish a safe and secure environment;
facilitate the transition to recovery; and
assist schools affected by an event or emergency in restoring the learning environment.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summary of Substitute Bill:

A pilot program is established that creates regional School Safety and Security Centers in three Educational Service Districts (ESDs). One ESD must be an ESD that is entirely west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains and is partially bounded by an international border, one ESD must be east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains, and one ESD may be located anywhere in the state.

The pilot program expires December 31, 2017, and must:

establish of a network of school safety coordinators;
collaborate with the ESD that developed the model;
create technology-based systems that enable more efficient and effective communication between schools and emergency response entities;
provide technology support to improve communication and data management between schools and emergency response entities;
provide ongoing training of school personnel and emergency responders to establish a system for preventative identification, intervention strategies, and management of risk behaviors;
provide for professional development to train school personnel as first responders; and
build a collaborative relationship between participating ESDs and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the School Safety Advisory Committee to expand regional School Safety and Security Centers to all ESDs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill:

specifies the locations of two of the three Educational Service Districts (ESDs): one ESD must be an ESD that is entirely west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains and is partially bounded by an international border; one ESD must be east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains; and one ESD may be located anywhere in the state;
requires the ESDs to create multiple technology-based systems instead of one system; and
adds the School Safety Advisory Committee to the agencies with whom the ESDs must build a collaborative relationship.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) An Educational Service District has completed the original pilot work. Their model represents a new way to protect children and may be replicated without prohibitive cost. The school safety and security centers expand on the idea of having a regional core, modeled after the successful nursing core. Due to the lack of funding, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Safety Center has a staff of one, which is inadequate.

The health and welfare of children is important, and the bill will make public schools safer. Schools often are the first responders in emergencies. The standard approach can no longer be about turning out the lights and hiding under desks. Technology is flexible and can be used in both small and large schools. Schools should be able to respond when something horrific happens, like when one student makes a decision that impacts the lives of thousands. School Safety and Security Centers can centralize the needed resources and have a core of trained specialists ready to provide the right resources for students and staff.

(In support with concerns) The requirement for a single technology based system should be changed to technology based systems.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Stambaugh, prime sponsor; and Melissa Gombosky, Steve Myers, Mike Dunn, Mary Schoenfeldt, Educational Service District 105; and Frank Hewins.

(In support with concerns) Jerry Bender, Association of Washington State Principals.