Oyster Bay Public Affairs
WSCA Weekly Legislative Update
The Legislature is back in committee meetings this week and next, hearing bills from the opposite
chamber and advancing toward the next (April 1) deadline for bills to remain viable for this session.
Although House budget writers had tentatively planned to roll out their proposed budget early next week,
we’re hearing that may be postponed until the week of March 30.
Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Nita Hill testified in the Senate Early Learning/K-12 Education Committee
this week in support of Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self’s SHB 1408, legislation to help define “family engagement
coordinators.” The Committee also heard SHB 1295, the “Breakfast After the Bell” legislation, which
WSCA is supporting this session.
The House Education Committee heard E2SSB 5688, Senator Steve Litzow’s social/emotional learning
bill, which passed out of the Senate 33-15. It is scheduled for executive action next week.
On Tuesday, 3/24 the House Education Committee will hear “No School Alone: How community risks and
assets contribute to school and youth success,” a report from Christopher Blodgett, Ph.D., Washington
State University. He will be presenting the full ACES Study that was conducted last year as a result of
passage of HB 2739 (2014), sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self. A preliminary review of the report
indicates strong support for school counselors in social/emotional student development and academic
success. WSCA members are encouraged to attend the meeting, if possible. The work session will be held
in the John L. O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A on the Capitol Campus. We’ll post a link to the
presentation online as soon as it’s available.
Since the legislation we're tracking seems to be in good shape and everyone is undoubtedly busy this time
of year, we have postponed this Sunday's scheduled Advocacy Committee call-in meeting until a later date
that is TBD. Please feel free to connect with me, Kim Reykdal and/or Nita Hill if you have any advocacy
related questions or concerns.
Upcoming Events
Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) - SHR 1, - 3/23 @ 1:30pm

E2SHB 1546 - Public Hearing - Concerning dual credit opportunities provided by Washington
state's public institutions of higher education.
Higher Education (Senate) - SHR 3, - 3/24 @ 1:30pm

SHB 1138 - Public Hearing - Creating a task force on mental health and suicide prevention in
higher education.
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
ESHB 1236 - Public Hearing - Concerning witnessing a student's college bound scholarship pledge
when efforts to obtain a parent's or guardian's signature are unsuccessful.
Higher Education (House) - HHR C, JLOB - 3/25 @ 1:30pm

SB 5122 - Public Hearing - Concerning precollege placement measures.
Education (House) - HHR A, JLOB - 3/26 @ 8:00am


E2SSB 5688 - Exec Session - Providing students with skills that promote mental health and wellbeing and increase academic performance.
SB 5805 - Exec Session - Concerning conflict resolution programs in schools.
Higher Education (House) - HHR C, JLOB - 3/26 @ 10:00am


2SSB 5851 - Exec Session - Concerning recommendations of the college bound scholarship
program work group.
SB 5122 - Exec Session - Concerning precollege placement measures.
Early Learning & Human Services (House) - HHR E, JLOB - 3/27 @ 10:00am

E2SSB 5452 - Exec Session - Improving quality in the early care and education system.
Bill Details
College in the high school
SHB
1031
Status
Sponsor
S EL/K-12
Johnson
Priority
Position
Expanding participation in college in the high school programs.
Allows tenth grade students to participate in the college in the high school program. Requires college
credits for completion of the program to be applied toward degree requirements at The Evergreen State
College.
Higher ed mental health
S Higher Ed
Orwall
Creating a task force on mental health and suicide prevention in higher education.
SHB
1138
Requires Forefront at the University of Washington to convene a task force on mental health and suicide
prevention at public and private institutions of higher education to determine what policies, resources,
and technical assistance are needed to support the institutions in improving access to mental health
services and improving suicide prevention responses. Expires July 1, 2017.
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College bound scholarship
ESHB
1236
S Higher Ed
Ortiz-Self
Allowing certain school personnel to witness a student's college bound scholarship pledge if the student's
parent or guardian is unavailable. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning witnessing a student's college
bound scholarship pledge when efforts to obtain a parent's or guardian's signature are unsuccessful. )
HB 1236-S - DIGEST Allows a school counselor or an administrator to witness a student's college bound
scholarship pledge if the parent or guardian is unavailable.
Breakfast after the bell
S EL/K-12
Hudgins
Support
Concerning breakfast after the bell programs.
SHB
1295
(2SSB
5437)
Requires each high-needs school to offer breakfast after the bell to each student and provide adequate
time for students to eat. Requires the state to provide, and the office of the superintendent of public
instruction to administer, one-time start-up allocation grants of six thousand dollars to each high-needs
school implementing a breakfast after the bell program. Requires the office of the superintendent of
public instruction to: (1) Develop and distribute procedures and guidelines for the implementation of this
act; and (2) Dedicate staff within the office to offer training and technical and marketing assistance to
public schools and school districts related to offering breakfast after the bell. Provides that this act is null
and void if appropriations are not approved.
Revenue growth for education
HB
1385
(SSB
5063)
H Approps
Magendanz
Prioritizing state revenue growth for education.
Establishes the kids first act. Declares an intent to: (1) Prioritize K-12 education investments in a manner
designed to best achieve improved student outcomes; (2) Make college education more affordable while
increasing bachelor and graduate degree production, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics fields; and (3) Increase opportunities for low-income families to enroll in high quality
preschool and early learning programs. Provides for submission of this act to a vote of the people.
Family engagemnt coordinator
S EL/K-12
Ortiz-Self
Concerning the development of a definition and model for "family engagement coordinator" and other
terms used interchangeably with it.
SHB
1408
Requires the office of the education ombuds to: (1) Together with the educational opportunity gap
oversight and accountability committee, develop and recommend to the education committees of the
legislature a definition for the term that is variously referred to as "family engagement coordinator,"
"parent and family engagement coordinator," and "parent involvement coordinator"; and a model or
framework for such a staff position; and (2) In developing the model or framework for the staff position,
collaborate with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the Washington education
association, the public school employees of Washington, the Washington school counselors' association,
the association of Washington school principals, and the state school directors' association. Expires July 1,
2016.
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Suicide prevention
S Health Care
Orwall
Concerning suicide prevention.
ESHB
1424
HB 1424-S - DIGEST Requires the department of health to adopt rules establishing minimum standards
for the suicide assessment, treatment, and management training programs, including content specific to
veterans and the assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious
behaviors. Exempts certified registered nurse anesthetists from the training programs.
Educational opportunity gap
S EL/K-12
Santos
Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the
educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.
E2SHB
1541
Adopts policies and procedures to implement the following recommendations of the educational
opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee: (1) Reduce the length of time students of color
are excluded from school due to suspension and expulsion and provide students support for
reengagement plans; (2) Enhance the cultural competence of current and future educators and classified
staff; (3) Endorse all educators in English language learner and second language acquisition; (4) Account
for the transitional bilingual instruction program instructional services provided to English language
learner students; (5) Analyze the opportunity gap through deeper disaggregation of student demographic
data; (6) Invest in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of educators of color; and (7) Strengthen student
transitions at each stage of the education development pathway.
Dual credit ed opportunities
E2SHB
1546
(SB
5086)
S EL/K-12
Reykdal
Concerning dual credit opportunities provided by Washington state's public institutions of higher
education.
HB 1546-S2 - DIGEST Modifies provisions relating to the college in the high school program and the
running start program.
Allergen info in pub schools
S EL/K-12
Sullivan
Requiring posting of allergen information in public schools.
SHB
1562
Requires public schools to display allergen information on a conspicuous sign in a prominent place within
each area where food is served. Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to consult
with the department of agriculture to develop and disseminate guidance for school districts on how and
what allergen information must be displayed.
High school and beyond plans
SHB
1591
H Approps
Ortiz-Self
Concerning high school and beyond plans.
Requires each student to have a high school and beyond plan to guide the student's high school
experience and prepare the student for postsecondary education or training and career. Requires the
superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with a nonprofit organization representing school
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counselors and the association of Washington school principals, to: (1) Develop and disseminate an
inventory of best practices for high quality high school and beyond plans including a resume template;
and (2) Provide assistance to school districts in the development and implementation of the plans.
HB
1614
(SB
5544)
K-12 employee wages
Phases in the compensation technical working group's recommendations for comparable, market-based
salaries for all K-12 staff and a revised compensation system for certificated instructional staff.
S EL/K-12
Fey
Concerning data reported by the office of the superintendent of public instruction for homeless students.
(REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning homeless students. )
HB 1682-S2 - DIGEST Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to report to the
governor and the legislature the following data for homeless students: (1) The number of identified
unaccompanied homeless students enrolled in public schools; and (2) The academic performance and
educational outcomes of unaccompanied homeless students. Defines "unaccompanied homeless student"
as a student who is homeless and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.
Student skills
SHB
1760
(E2SSB
5688)
Reykdal
Establishing comparable and professional wages for K-12 employees.
Homeless students
E2SHB
1682
(SSB
5065)
H Approps
H Approps
Senn
Providing students with skills that promote mental health and well-being and increase academic
performance.
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to convene a work group to recommend comprehensive
benchmarks for developmentally appropriate interpersonal and decision-making knowledge and skills of
social and emotional learning for grades kindergarten through high school. Requires educational service
districts to develop and maintain the capacity to serve as a convener, trainer, and mentor for educators
and other school district staff on social and emotional learning.
Academic achievement certif.
H Approps
Reykdal
Eliminating the certificate of academic achievement as a requirement for high school graduation.
HB
1785
Eliminates the assessment graduation requirements and the certificate of academic achievement.
Requires students who fail to meet the standard on the smarter balanced assessment to take and pass
locally determined courses in their senior year that align with their college or career goals, including,
when available, high school transition courses.
High-achieving HS students
HB
1812
H Approps
MacEwen
Creating an informational program to increase applications from high-achieving low-income high school
students to selective institutions of higher education.
Requires the student achievement council to design and implement a program that provides customized
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information to high-achieving, low-income high school students with the purpose of increasing the
number of applications from this group of students to four-year institutions of higher education and
independent, nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the state. Provides that this act is
null and void if appropriations are not approved.
Local graduation requiremnts
SHB
1855
S EL/K-12
Caldier
Waiving local graduation requirements for certain students.
Requires the waiver of certain graduation requirements for students who are at-risk youth or children in
need of services pursuant to the family reconciliation act and for students who are homeless.
High school graduation
H Approps
Kilduff
Supporting evidence-based strategies to promote high school graduation.
SHB
1864
Directs school districts to establish school-wide programs that provide comprehensive college and career
guidance for middle and high school students through the career guidance Washington program model.
Establishes a grant program in the office of the superintendent of public instruction that will assist school
districts to provide comprehensive multitier supports to struggling students. Establishes the statewide
jobs for Washington graduates program in the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Directs
the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop additional data analytics to assist
policymakers and school personnel. Provides that this act is null and void if appropriations are not
approved.
School counselors, etc.
H Approps
Ortiz-Self
Concerning school counselors, social workers, and psychologists.
SHB
1900
Specifies that the primary role of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists is to: (1) Focus on
student mental health; (2) Work with at-risk and marginalized students; (3) Perform risk assessments;
and (4) Collaborate with mental health professionals to promote student achievement and create a safe
learning environment. Defines school psychologist and school social worker.
Chem dependncy & mental hlth
S HumSer/MenHlth
Pollet
Integrating administrative provisions for chemical dependency and mental health.
2SHB
1916
Addresses the integration of chemical dependency and mental health administrative provisions.
Designates the department of social and health services as the state behavioral health authority which
includes recognition as the single state authority for substance use disorders and state mental health
authority.
Homeless youth population
HB
1928
H Approps
Fey
Requiring an analysis of the homeless youth population.
Requires the state institute for public policy to conduct an analysis to identify characteristics of the
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homeless youth population from birth to age ten. Expires July 1, 2016. Provides that this act is null and
void if appropriations are not approved.
Students/disability, sp need
SHB
1947
Creates the commission on improving outcomes for students with special needs to develop a ten-year
strategic plan to expand learning opportunities and improve educational outcomes for all students with
disabilities or special needs and an accountability framework to monitor and report annually on the
progress being made toward the ten-year goal.
H Approps
Senn
Promoting a safe and healthy school learning climate.
Requires the allocation of an enhancement of 0.5 additional certificated instructional staff per
prototypical elementary school for purposes of promoting a safe and healthy school learning climate.
Fiscal matters T.O.
HB
2168
Pollet
Establishing a comprehensive plan to expand learning opportunities and improve educational outcomes
for students with disabilities or special needs using multiple strategies and statewide partnerships.
Safe school learning climate
HB
2149
H Approps
H Approps
Hunter
Relating to fiscal matters.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to fiscal matters.
Fiscal matters T.O.
HB
2169
H Approps
Hunter
Relating to fiscal matters.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to fiscal matters.
Education T.O.
HB
2177
H Approps
Hunter
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
Education T.O.
HB
2178
H Approps
Hunter
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
Revenue T.O.
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H Finance
Hunter
Oyster Bay Public Affairs
HB
2179
Relating to revenue.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to revenue.
Revenue T.O.
HB
2180
H Finance
Hunter
Relating to revenue.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to revenue.
High sch. science assessment
HB
2184
H Approps
Lytton
Providing a cost savings by making changes to high school science assessment requirements.
Changes high school science assessment requirements.
Revenue growth for education
SSB
5063
(HB
1385)
S Rules 2
Hill
Prioritizing state revenue growth for education.
Establishes the kids first act. Declares an intent to: (1) Prioritize K-12 education investments in a manner
designed to best achieve improved student outcomes; (2) Make college education more affordable while
increasing bachelor and graduate degree production, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics fields; and (3) Increase opportunities for families to enroll in high quality preschool and
early learning programs. Provides for submission of this act to a vote of the people.
Homeless students
S Ways & Means
Frockt
Improving educational opportunities for homeless students through increased state-funded in-school
supports, housing stability, and reporting.
SSB
5065
(E2SHB
1682)
Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to create a competitive grant process to
evaluate and award state-funded three-year grants to school districts to increase identification of
homeless students and the capacity of the districts to provide support, which may include education
liaisons, for homeless students. Requires the department of commerce, in consultation with the office of
the superintendent of public instruction, to administer a grant program that links homeless students and
their families with stable housing located in the homeless student's school district. Makes appropriations.
Provides that section 3 of this act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
Dual credit educ. options
S Ways & Means
Dammeier
Concerns
Concerning dual credit options.
SSB
5080
Provides a new funding model to eliminate tuition in the college in the high school program. Provides
flexibility in the academic acceleration incentive program to assist students with transportation and book
expenses associated with the running start program. Establishes a distinction between the college in the
high school program as a program occurring in high schools and the running start program as a program
occurring on a college campus.
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Precollege placement
SB
5122
H Hi Ed
Kohl-Welles
Concerning precollege placement measures.
Authorizes state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College to use multiple
measures to determine whether a student must enroll in a precollege course.
Identifiable student info
H Education
Dammeier
Concerning privacy and security of personally identifiable student information.
ESSB
5316
SB 5316-S - DIGEST Prohibits the superintendent of public instruction and employees and contractors of
the superintendent, educational service districts' board of directors, employees, and contractors, and
school districts' board of directors, employees, and contractors from collecting, retaining, or using in any
manner, student biometric information. Requires the K-12 data governance group to: (1) Develop a
detailed data security plan and procedures to govern the use and maintenance of certain data systems;
and (2) Develop a model plan for school districts to use to safeguard personally identifiable student-level
data at the school district level.
Early care & education systm
E2SSB
5452
(E2SHB
1491)
H Erly Lrn/H Svc
Litzow
Improving quality in the early care and education system.
SB 5452-S2 - DIGEST Establishes the early start act. Prioritizes the integration of child care and preschool
in an effort to promote full day programming. Rewards quality and creates incentives for providers to
participate in a quality rating and improvement system that will also provide information to parents
regarding the quality of care available in their communities. Provides that this act is null and void if
appropriations are not approved.
Education employee COLAs
S Ways & Means
Hasegawa
Restoring cost-of-living increases for educational employees.
SB
5469
(HB
1538)
Requires an incremental increase to base salary allocations to be provided to school districts for school
employees in addition to the required cost-of-living adjustments. Requires each college district to receive
an incremental allocation to increase academic employee salaries, including mandatory salary-related
benefits, in addition to the required cost-of-living adjustments. Requires each technical college board of
trustees to receive an incremental allocation to increase classified employee salaries, including
mandatory salary-related benefits, in addition to the required cost-of-living adjustments. Addresses
bonuses for certificated instructional staff.
SB
5497
(HB
1771)
Prof. educator standards brd
S Rules 2
Litzow
Confirming that the professional educator standards board is an authorized representative of the state
educational agencies.
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Clarifies that data exchanged between educator preparation programs and the state professional educator
standards board is subject to the federal educational rights and privacy act.
Student skills
H Education
Litzow
Providing students with skills that promote mental health and well-being and increase academic
performance.
E2SSB
5688
(SHB
1760)
SB 5688-S2 - Requires the superintendent of public instruction to: (1) Convene a work group to
recommend comprehensive social emotional learning benchmarks for grades kindergarten through high
school; and (2) Conduct a survey of schools to ascertain how many schools in the state are implementing a
social emotional learning program and to understand individual districts' capacity to implement social
emotional learning. Authorizes school districts to use specific funding to develop and update school
specific action plans to implement multitiered systems of support frameworks and curriculum aligned
with the frameworks.
3rd grade English assessment
ESSB
5803
SB 5803-S - Requires elementary schools, each spring before the administration of the statewide student
assessment in English language arts, to require meetings between teachers and parents of students in
third grade who are reading below grade-level or who scored in the basic or below basic level on the prior
year's statewide student assessment.
Rivers
Includes statewide dispute resolution organizations in developing a volunteer-based conflict resolution
and mediation program for use in community groups such as neighborhood organizations and the public
schools.
H Hi Ed
Frockt
Concerning recommendations of the college bound scholarship program work group.
Addresses recommendations of the college bound scholarship program work group with regard to
improving and enhancing certain components of the program, including data collection, outreach, and
program outcomes.
Education T.O.
SB
5928
H Education
Concerning conflict resolution programs in schools.
College bound scholarship
2SSB
5851
Dammeier
Concerning the notification of parents when their children are below basic on the third grade statewide
English language arts assessment.
Conflict resolution/schools
SB
5805
(HB
1840)
H Education
S Ways & Means
Dammeier
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
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Fiscal matters T.O.
SB
6049
S Ways & Means
Hill
Relating to fiscal matters.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to fiscal matters.
Fiscal matters T.O.
SB
6050
S Ways & Means
Hill
Relating to fiscal matters.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to fiscal matters.
Revenue T.O.
SB
6057
S Ways & Means
Hill
Relating to revenue.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to revenue.
Education T.O.
SB
6059
S Ways & Means
Hill
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
Education T.O.
SB
6060
S Ways & Means
Litzow
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
Higher education T.O.
SB
6068
S Ways & Means
Ranker
Relating to higher education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to higher education.
Education T.O.
SB
6069
S Ways & Means
Ranker
Relating to education.
Introduced by title and introductory section only, relating to education.
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