If you recall, a Parents’ Bill of Rights initiative was brought to the Legislature last spring and was passed by both the House and Senate. Much of the language in that initiative was already aligned with current state law, but there were sections that were unclear. Democrats in both the House and the Senate introduced bills (HB 1296/SB 5181) to clarify the language with other parts of state law. For a more thorough description of these bills, check out this recent article from the Washington State Standard.
We were contacted by the Seattle Times regarding an amendment related to notifying parents if their child is involved in, or is a victim of, a crime. We sent a statement to them that was published in this article that said, “If a situation like this happened at school, law enforcement would be contacted and we would adhere to the timeline needed for an investigation per law enforcement directive. School principals cannot interfere with ongoing police investigations. Our role is to support the child and at the first opportunity, we would contact the parents.”
Both bills are still working their way through the Legislature. They are slightly different bills and at some point for them to pass as law, both chambers will need to agree on the language. I’ll keep following them closely and if you have any questions, please reach out.
In addition to the bills heard this week in the education committees, the House Appropriations Committee heard HB 1404 on free meals and HB 1338 on increased funding for MSOC. Next week will be the last big push to hear policy bills and then committees will spend their time getting bills through executive session (or not), to move them onto fiscal committees. As you might have noticed, neither the House nor the Senate will be hearing bills related to requiring districts to have policies limiting cell phones in schools. Both chairs believe that this is already something that districts can do as many have already done. Policy committees have until February 21 to pass their bills. The fiscal committee cut-off for bills is February 28.
Bills Heard This Week
House Education
Monday
HB 1051 - Permitting the recording of individualized education program team meetings.
HB 1257 - Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.
HB 1273 - Improving student access to dual credit programs.
HB 1651 - Concerning teacher residency and apprenticeship programs.
HB 1676 - Reassigning and authorizing surrendered, revoked, or nonrenewed charter school contracts.
Tuesday
HB 1032 - Concerning school district elections.
HJR 4201 - Amending the Constitution to allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
Thursday
HB 1140 - Establishing empowerED scholarships using educational savings accounts.
Senate Education
Tuesday
SB 5352 - Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.
SB 5279 - Concerning qualifications for child care providers.
Wednesday
SB 5412 - Providing temporary interfund loans for school districts.
SB 5386 - Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
Thursday
SB 5517 - Determining state allocations for school staff salaries.
Bills Being Heard Next Week
House Education
Monday
HB 1634 - Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.
HB 1683 - Adjusting school director districts.
HB 1709- Addressing the care of students with adrenal insufficiency by parent-designated adults.
HB 1795 - Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
Tuesday HB 1167 - Directing the statewide career and technical education task force to consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions.
HB 1414 - Improving access to career opportunities for students.
HB 1662 - Removing the requirement for certain education agencies to reside in the office of the superintendent of public instruction for administrative purposes and by making other necessary changes to support independent administration of each agency.
HB 1830- Concerning record checks for certain volunteers and contractors who will have access to children or persons with developmental disabilities.
HB 1832 - Improving student performance and success.
Thursday HB 1393 - Providing public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies.
HB 1817 - Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
HB 1827 - Concerning the effective delivery and administration of basic education services to justice-involved students.
The House Finance Committee will hear HB 1356 - Concerning K-12 funding on Tuesday.
Senate Education
Tuesday
SB 5637 - Promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education.
SB 5551 - Concerning school library information and technology programs.
SB 5641 - Encouraging public school instruction in awareness of blood donation.
SB 5596 - Repealing the interstate teacher mobility compact.
Wednesday SB 5545 - Exempting family home providers overseen and certified by a federal military service from child care licensing.
SB 5655 - Concerning child care centers operated in existing buildings.
SB 5567 - Expanding secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation.
Thursday SB 5654 - Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
Senate Ways and Means will hear these “Big 3” bills on Tuesday, February 11. Sign in to support or provide written testimony HERE! (Choose “Senate”, “Ways and Means”, “Feb. 11” and then the following bill numbers.)SB 5192 - Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs.
SSB 5263 - Concerning special education funding.
SB 5187 - Providing adequate and predictable student transportation.
The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will also hear SSB 5190 - Allowing schools and school districts to request extensions to state energy performance standard deadlines for K-12 school buildings on Wednesday.