SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1714

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.

As Passed Senate, April 17, 2019

Title: An act relating to granting of high school diplomas by community or technical colleges.

Brief Description: Concerning community and technical colleges granting high school diplomas.

Sponsors: Representatives Entenman, Boehnke, Jinkins, Ortiz-Self, Bergquist, Pollet and Leavitt; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/19, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 3/14/19, 3/26/19 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 4/17/19, 48-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Expands the category of students who may receive a diploma from a community or technical college (CTC) to include any individual over age sixteen who completes an associates degree.
Provides that any individual aged sixteen through twenty-one may be eligible for the basic education allocation who earns a high school diploma through a CTC by completing an associates degree.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Palumbo, Chair; Randall, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Member; Brown, Liias and Wellman.

Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)

Background: High School Diplomas. School districts must issue diplomas to students signifying graduation from high school upon the students' satisfactory completion of all local and state graduation requirements.

High School Degrees at Community or Technical College. A CTC may issue a high school diploma or certificate to an individual who:

meets the requirements for high school completion, subject to rules adopted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education;
completes an associate degree program through Running Start; or
is twenty-one years or older and enrolls in a CTC and obtains an associates degree.

Summary of Bill: Any individual aged sixteen through twenty-one who enrolls in a CTC and satisfactorily completes an associates degree must be awarded a diploma from the college upon written request and is eligible for the basic education allocation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill provides one more tool in the toolbox for students to move on in their higher education. This allows students to do whatever is best for them, on the pathway to a technical certificate, degree, or to transfer to a four-year if that is their preference. This bill supports equity for all students and will assist students in obtaining a high skilled job in their chosen field.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Debra Entenman, Prime Sponsor; Monica Wilson, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.