Status Summary

First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education on 1.28.19.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on 2.18.19.

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on 1.30.19; 1st substitute bill passed and referred to Rules Committee for second reading.

Placed on second reading by Rules Committee on 2.31.19.

1st substitute bill substituted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed on 2.27.19.

In the House:
First reading, referred to Education on 2.28.19.

Public hearing in the House Committee on Education on 3.14.19.

Executive session scheduled, but no action taken, in the House Committee on Education on 3.28.19.

Executive session scheduled in the House Committee on Education on 4.1.19; majority pass with amendment(s).

Referred to Rules 2 Review on 4.3.19.

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading on 4.8.19.

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended on 4.9.19.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Passed on Third Reading on 4.9.19.

In the Senate:
Senate concurred in House amendments. Passed final passage on 4.18.19.

President signed on 4.23.19.

In the House:
Speaker signed on 4.24.19.

Other than legislative action:
Delivered to Governor on 4.25.19.

Governor signed on 4.29.19.Chapter 194, 2019 Laws. Effective date: 7/28/2019.
(updated 5.3.19)

Legislative Session

2019

Status

Passed

Sponsor

Liias
More about this bill

This bill adds a new section to chapter RCW 28A.600 to require that each school district must adopt or amend a policy and procedure that prohibits the harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any student and that incorporates the model policy and procedures described in subsection (3), and also adds an additional section to RCW chapter 28A.642 regarding the establishment of a transgender student policy and procedure. Moreover, both of these policies and procedures must be established by September 1st, 2019.

Each school district must designate one person in the school district as the primary contact regarding the anti-harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy and procedure, as well as for the transgender student policy and procedure. The school district may appoint one primary contact for both policies, if need be.

The primary contact must:

§  Ensure the implementation of the policy and procedure;

§  Receive copies of all formal and informal complaints;

§  Communicate with the school district employees; and

§  Serve as the primary contact on the policy and procedure between the school district, the Office of the Education Ombuds, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Furthermore, OSPI must develop statewide training classes for those who act as the primary contact regarding the anti-harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy and for the transgender student policy by December 31st, 2019. 

Amendements:

Updated on 4.12.19:

1st substitute:

  • Delays a number of deadlines.
  • Adds that a teacher's evaluation may not be negatively impacted if a teacher chooses to use curriculum or instructional materials that address subject matter related to sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, so long as the subject matter is age-appropriate and connected to the teacher's content area.

House Amendments (Updated on 4.12.19):

  • By January 31, 2020, each school district must adopt or amend if necessary a policy and procedure prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student and that, at a minimum, incorporates the model policy and procedure described in subsection (3)
  • By September 1, 2019, and periodically thereafter, the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) must collaborate with the OSPI to develop and update a model transgender student policy and procedure.
  • Each school district must designate one person to serve as the primary contact regarding the policies and procedures relating to transgender students
  • By December 31, 2020, the OSPI must develop a statewide training class for primary contacts regarding the policy prohibiting HIB.
  • The provisions are moved from the Superintendent of Public Instruction chapter to the student chapter of the school code;
  • The definition of HIB is modified to refer to characteristics in the statutes related to anti-discrimination and sexual equality in the school code, rather than the malicious harassment statute of the criminal code;
  • The term "anti-HIB policy and procedure" is changed to "policy and procedure prohibiting HIB"; and

Changes are made to mirror the requirements related to policies and procedures relating to transgender students.

Education
Prevention/early intervention