Thanks to everyone who has helped sign in and testify on bills so far this session. Your advocacy is making a difference for Students across Washington.
Help keep up the pressure with a few more sign ins now. Half of the bills listed below need sign ins THIS MORNING, so please act quickly!
To sign on, click the bill links below, click on "testify" and then click on "I would like my position noted for the legislative record."
SB 5362 – Concerning victims of crime act funding.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 3 • 9:30 am
SCPTSA says: This bill provides a state level funding floor for victim services, and provides much need stability during a time when federal funding is in chaos. Victims of crimes include children, and these services are very much needed.
HB 1051 – Permitting the recording of individualized education program team meetings.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 3 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA says: IEP meetings are often stressful, and have "eduspeak" or language that is very specific to education. It can be hard to follow, and to retain information from these meetings, and being able to go back and listen to what was discussed and agreed to could help to reduce misunderstandings amongst the adults who are supporting the student.
HB 1257 – Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 3 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA says: Under current law, school districts cease serving a student as soon as the student turns 22. This bill would allow qualifying students to complete the school year in the year that they turn 22. This would mean it would be possible for students to have all the usual pieces of a final year of school, including the ability to graduate with a class, rather than leave on their birthday.
HB 1338 – Concerning school operating costs.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 3 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: This is "keep the lights on" money. PTAs are often asked to pay for basic costs of keeping a school running, such as paper. In 2023-24 alone, the in Seattle Public Schools the gap between our district's utilities and insurance expenditures and state revenue was $6,339,080. This bill will help, but it won't fully close the gap. We'll take the boost, but ask our legislators to keep in mind that insurance costs increase at the rate of wildfires, not just IPD.
HB 1404 – Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 3 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: This bill says it well "The legislature, in support of students, families, and productive learning environments, and in recognition of financial challenges that can create barriers to academic achievement, declares that no student should ever experience hunger or food insecurity within a public school. The legislature, therefore, intends to provide all requesting students with access to school meals that are served without charge."
HB 1032 – Concerning school district elections.
➜ Sign in PRO by Tuesday, Feb 4 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: Across the state we keep seeing bonds fail because of the need for a super majority. Support schools statewide, and allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
HJR 4201 – Amending the Constitution to allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
➜ Sign in PRO by Tuesday, Feb 4 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: Across the state we keep seeing bonds fail because of the need for a super majority. Support schools statewide, and allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
SB 5352 – Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.
➜ Sign in PRO by Wednesday, Feb 5 • 7 am
SCPTSA says: This bill says it well "The legislature, in support of students, families, and productive learning environments, and in recognition of financial challenges that can create barriers to academic achievement, declares that no student should ever experience hunger or food insecurity within a public school. The legislature, therefore, intends to provide all requesting students with access to school meals that are served without charge."
SB 5386 – Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
➜ Sign in PRO by Wednesday, Feb 5 • 7 am
SCPTSA says: We must continue to improve the supports for survivors of sexual assault in public schools.