H-0629.2
HOUSE BILL 1637
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives McClintock, Couture, Rude, Jacobsen, Connors, Chase, Klicker, Ley, Keaton, Barkis, Eslick, Burnett, and Graham
Read first time 01/28/25. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to nonfirearm measures to increase school safety for students and staff; amending RCW 28A.710.280 , 28A.715.040 , 28A.600.015 , 28A.600.020 , 28A.600.460 , and 28A.300.645 ; adding new sections to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.525 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 44.28 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the safety and well-being of our students, educators, and school communities is not just a priority, it is a fundamental necessity. Across Washington state, the alarming statistics tell a grim story: At least 18 percent of students report feeling unsafe on school grounds and some have reported not attending school out of fear. Over 30 percent of students are not regularly attending school, and a staggering 70 percent of teachers report being afraid to go to work each day. More troubling still, 79 percent of teachers report having been subjected to physical violence, and 67 percent say that this violence has pushed them to the brink of leaving the profession. The legislature understands that it cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these realities.
(2) To begin to confront this crisis, the legislature intends to create a school safety data dashboard that will be accessible to the public, policymakers, schools, and parents. The purpose of this dashboard is to provide data on all school safety incidents, ensuring transparency and accountability. By gathering these statistics for the first time and making them easily accessible, the legislature intends to identify school districts and public schools that are struggling, and target supports to address local safety concerns and vulnerabilities. The legislature plans to hold school districts accountable for the safety of our children and the well-being of our educators, which starts with knowing where the problems lie.