Bill > HB1637

This bill, known as the Securing Academic Facilities and Enhancing Learning (SAFE-Learn) Act, is a comprehensive school safety measure addressing multiple aspects of educational safety and student discipline. The bill creates a statewide school safety dashboard to provide transparent data on school safety incidents, categorizing incidents by type and severity, and establishing a rating system for schools and districts. It mandates that every public school receive funding for a full-time school resource officer, with an annual allocation of $85,000 per officer. The legislation also establishes a school safety capital grant program to fund physical security improvements like security vestibules, key card access, panic buttons, and fencing. Additionally, the bill modifies existing student discipline policies to give teachers more authority in maintaining classroom order, allows for more nuanced disciplinary actions, and requires schools to collect and report disciplinary data. The bill aims to address alarming statistics about school safety, including reports that 18% of students feel unsafe at school, 30% are not regularly attending, and 79% of teachers have experienced physical violence. By providing resources, improving transparency, and empowering educators, the legislation seeks to create safer, more supportive educational environments across Washington state.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1637&Year=2025&Initiative=false