BHS PTSA Advocacy Resources/Updates

Legislative Session Wrap Webinar March 18, 2024

The 2023-24 Legislative Session ended March 7, 2024. WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan will share a summary of how things went online. Refer to the webinar on the WSPTA events page. 

If you can’t attend the webinar, you can still read Sullivan’s session wrap report. In her report, she noted several bills being tracked this session that failed to win approval by both chambers in the final days. These included SHB 1915 & ESSB 6031 or read the full report on the WSPTA site.

SHB 1915, which would have made financial education instruction a graduation prerequisite and a required component of public education.

ESSB 6031, which would have modified the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

Legislative Session Wrap March 2024

From Seattle Council PTSA: The 2023-24 Legislative Session ended Thursday. Here are highlights of some bills of that made it through:

• 1239 – Establishing a simple and uniform system for complaints related to, and instituting a code of educator ethics for, conduct within or involving public elementary and secondary schools.
• 1541 – Nothing About Us Without Us
• 5883 – Concerning the burden of proof for special education due process hearings
• 1228 – Building a multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education
• 1608 – Expanding access to anaphylaxis medications in schools
• 2331 – Modifying requirements for public school instructional and supplemental instructional materials.
• 1618 – Concerning the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse.
• 5462 – Promoting inclusive learning standards and instructional materials in public schools.

WSPTSA – It’s the Final Countdown and WSPTA Legislative Bill Status Reports

Legislative Sessions 2024

The Legislative Session continues into Week 6. WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan has tracked bills of interest with her latest Bill Status Report, highlighting those that share the same legislative priorities established by the WSPTA. Interested in learning more? The WSPTA has organized Action Alerts to keep you posted on the legislative session.

January 2024 was a busy month in Olympia, including WSPTA’s Focus on Advocacy campaign. View a summary of last week’s legislative activity by WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan, and don’t forget to track bills with her latest Bill Status Report.

Some Bills of Interest:

• SB 6216 would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health and HB 2309 would establish the Washington 13 Free Guarantee to pay for one year of community/technical college for all Washington public high school graduates within 1 year of graduation.
• HB 2374 would establish the Washington Promise Program to pay for 2 years of community/technical college for Washington public high school graduates from families with incomes 150% below the median family income and HB 2018 would task state agencies with creating a model policy for restricting mobile phone use in schools and would require school districts to adopt their own policies and procedures by the 2027-28 school year.

BHS PTSA Legislative Corner

At Signing on April 25, 2023

At signing of three major gun violence prevention bills today at the Capitol.

Ban on new sales of assault weapons (semi-automatic rifles), 10 day waiting period, training, and state background check with record keeping to purchase; and civil liability for irresponsible gun manufacturers and dealers.

WA now leading the way on GVP at long last! ~Brian

Duncan to Witness Governor Sign GVP Bills into Law

Congratulations to BHS PTSA Legislative Liaison & SCPTSA High School 22-23 Chair Brian Duncan for his steadfast advocacy around gun-violence prevention. For all his efforts, both on the PTSA front and with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, he will be an invited guest for Gov. Jay Inslee’s April 25 signing of three gun violence prevention bills. “I’ll be present and representing at the bill signing on Tuesday for these long-time coming and hard won gun violence prevention bills,” Brian enthused. “Hallelujah; let’s keep going, saving lives and ending the terror of gun violence oppressing us all!” ~ Brian Duncan

HB 1240, (Assault Weapons Ban on sales) Establishing firearms-related safety measures to increase public safety. HB 1143, (10 day waiting period and required training) Concerning requirements for the purchase or transfer of firearms. and SB 5078, (Civil liability for irresponsible gun manufactures and dealers) Protecting public safety by establishing duties of firearm industry members.

Time to Raise Our Voices | June 2022

The Ballard High School PTSA joins the National PTA in calling upon Congress and the Administration to immediately address the many factors that contribute to the rampant gun violence in the United States.
This includes:

• Funding research on the causes and effects of gun violence on youth and communities, as well as evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence.
• Establishing education programs to teach students, parents and community members about gun safety and violence prevention.
• Requiring a waiting period and a comprehensive background check for all individuals prior to purchasing a firearm.
• Restricting internet gun sales, including kits that can be used to make and modify guns.
• Banning access to military-style semi-automatic assault weapons.
• PTA offers an easy-to-use dashboard to take action on this issue.
• In addition, the local nonprofit Alliance for Gun Responsibility has additional resources and Every town for Gun Safety has more sample letters as well. Thank you for joining us in action.