HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 776

BYRepresentatives Cole, Holm, Taylor, Betrozoff, Ebersole, Brough, May, Amondson, Schoon, Silver and L. Smith 

Removing the requirement that hearing officers for school employee cases be attorneys.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (20)

     Signed by Representatives Ebersole, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cole, Cooper, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Peery, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Schoon, L. Smith, Taylor, Todd, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 27, 1987

BACKGROUND:

When an employee requests a hearing challenging an adverse change in a contract or nonrenewal, the hearing must be presided over by a hearing officer.  The statute requires that individuals nominated for this be a member in good standing of the Washington state bar association.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The hearing officer appointed for hearing on nonrenewal or adverse changes in contract may be an attorney or a person approved by the American Arbitration Association and on their current roster of arbitrators. The period of time for appointment of the hearing officer shall be fifteen days.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The time period for appointing a hearing officer is expanded from ten to fifteen days.  In addition to attorneys, persons approved by the American Arbitration Association may act as hearing officers.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Bob Swartager, Washington Association of School Administrators; Ken Hower, self.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     There are many individuals with knowledge of labor laws who are not attorneys and who can fairly participate in due process hearings.  Examples of individuals who are not attorneys who could effectively carry out these duties are law professors and arbitrators.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.