Contact Information

  • Governor's Office, 360-902-4111

Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Improve School Safety

For Immediate Release: May 9, 2007

Governor also signs a measure to support students at risk of dropping out

TACOMA - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law several measures that will improve school safety and ensure safe and responsible internet use in schools. She also signed into law a measure that will support students at risk of dropping out of high school.

�Our students should be safe when they are at school. In fact, that security is necessary for them to learn and to succeed,� said Governor Gregoire. �These bills will help schools to be proactive about safety and train staff and students in safety procedures.�

The bills signed today by Governor Gregoire will:

  • Provide new programs to help keep students in school. A statewide comprehensive program will find new ways to prevent students from dropping out of middle school and high school and help students who have dropped out to come back and get their education;
  • Protect our kids by updating safe school plans and requiring safety drills every year. The bill also creates a task force to examine gang-related activities; and
  • Update school district policies on harassment and bullying to include electronic or cyberbullying and develop materials to help school districts inform students about safe and responsible internet use.


Bill Action Today

  • 2SHB 1573 - Relating to dropout prevention, intervention, and retrieval (partial veto, section 8). Sponsored by Rep. Dave Quall (D-Mount Vernon), passed the House with 93 votes and passed the Senate with 44 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.
  • SSB 5097 - Relating to safe schools. Sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island), passed the Senate with 49 votes and passed the House with 98 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.
  • SSB 5288 - Relating to including cyberbullying in school district harassment prevention policies. Sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle), passed the Senate with 40 votes and passed the House with 75 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.


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