Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 5, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs two bills to strengthen school safety measures

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today signed two school safety bills aimed at stemming the tide of violence at schools.

Senate Bill 5214, which deals with gun possession, and House Bill 2085, which deals with disruptive students in the classroom, reflect comments Locke heard from the School Safety Summit he and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson convened last year.

"These bills are the result of many good ideas we heard at the school safety summit in Tukwila last summer," Locke said. "While it's critical that we take a tough stance against guns in school, we must get to the root of the problem, which may go beyond the school environment. And we must give our teachers the tools to recognize and handle disruptive students."

Currently, it is a gross misdemeanor to possess a gun on school property, and schools may expel anyone found with a firearm on school property. Senate Bill 5214 requires detention and mental health evaluation of youth arrested for possessing a firearm on school property, including school buses.

This bill requires that anyone between the ages of 12 and 21 arrested for having a gun on school property be detained for up to 72 hours in a juvenile or adult facility, and then be referred to a county-designated mental health professional for evaluation. Such a review could also lead to chemical dependency evaluation with possible civil commitment for treatment. Law enforcement agencies also must notify the individual's parent or guardian of the arrest, detention and examination.

The bill also would require school authorities to search a student's possessions and locker if there are reasonable grounds to suspect the student has an illegal firearm. Current law authorizes, but does not require, such searches.

"This bill is designed to ensure appropriate follow-up that could prevent tragedies, such as those we have seen in recent years," Locke said. "This legislation increases public safety by putting potentially dangerous youth into a secure setting for up to 72 hours, giving them needed evaluation, and notifying parents of the situation."

Locke also signed House Bill 2085, which creates programs to address disruptive students in regular classrooms. The bill requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct training institutes during the summer of 2000 for teams of school staff to learn effective ways to handle disruptive students.

"Discipline problems are a major challenge in schools because they can stop the learning process in the classroom," Locke added. "Educators need to learn how to effectively handle disruptive students who pose a threat to themselves and other students."

According to the bill, if a school district team participates in an institute, the team must develop a district plan that addresses disruptive students. Elementary and middle schools that participate in an institute are encouraged to develop plans.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive