HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1334

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Rasmussen, Peery, Moyer, Dorn, Walker, Brumsickle, Betrozoff, K. Wilson, Fuhrman, Fraser, McLean, Spanel, Anderson, Sayan, Hargrove, Phillips, Beck, Winsley, Basich, Cooper, Kremen, Valle, Grant, Belcher, Heavey, May, Vekich, Rust, Scott, Rayburn, Patrick, Bowman, Day, Wineberry, Jesernig, Rector, O'Brien, Locke, Smith, P. King, Pruitt, H. Myers, Silver,  Doty and Crane

Encouraging senior citizens to volunteer as teacher's aides.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Many school districts have tried to provide increased contact between the school and community.  Demographics show that the two increasing segments of our population are school age children and senior citizens.  With the increasing mobility of our society, the disruption of the nuclear family and rapid changes in our society there appears to be a decrease in interaction between age groups. Understanding and excitement can be generated when people of different ages and experiences have the opportunity to interact.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant funds to selected school districts for the planning and implementation of the six-plus-sixty volunteer program. The program would encourage senior citizens to volunteer in our schools. Funding may be used to provide information to the community, schools and senior citizens on volunteer opportunities, to provide training for the volunteers and to compensate the senior citizen volunteer for mileage, or in lieu of mileage to provide transportation on a school bus or to provide lunch at school.  An advisory committee shall be appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to propose criteria for and evaluate grant applications for this program.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  Provisions are added:

1.  Allowing senior citizens to receive transportation and a lunch if they volunteer and

2.  Directing the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a model intergenerational childcare program which will involve senior citizens in the provision of child care for children ages five and under, whose mothers are under the age of eighteen.  If space is available other children five years of age and under may receive care.  In addition to senior citizens, caretakers may include college and university students.  At least one sight shall be selected in an area with a teenage pregnancy rate above the state average and that also has a large senior citizen population.  Funds shall be sought from public and private sources.

Appropriation:    $10,000 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Marilyn Rasmussen; Bonnie Pinkney, Tacoma School District; Carol Smythe, Washington Federation of Teachers; Karma Anger, City of Sumner Senior Center and Washington State Parent Teacher Association;  Durson McBride, Eatonville volunteer; and Laverne Nelson, school board member.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    School districts like Tacoma have experienced the joy of having retirees come into the schools to work with children.  This provides a spark of life for both groups.  This intergenerational contact has proved successful and should be encouraged in small, as well as, large districts.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Excused 3

Excused:    Representatives Belcher, Schoon and Wang