SB 5009, the bill that funds multiple vehicle types for transporting public school students, has been widely discussed at our recent weekly Zooms. This bill reflects the existing federal law and is a funding bill only. Private schools are excluded from this funding.
SSB 5240 does not allow trained school personnel to use the school supply of EpiPens on a student who is having an anaphylaxis attack and does not have a prescription. WFIS has been working to amend the law so that both trained personnel and nurses can use the Epipen to save a child’s life, regardless of an existing prescription. We have not yet succeeded in convincing the bill’s sponsor, but we will have another chance in the policy committee in the House.
SB 5506 extends the timeline for licensing boarding schools. It passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee.
SB 5514 increases compliance pathways for the clean buildings performance standards, adding an exemption for extenuating circumstances approved by Commerce with specified financial hardships for K-12 school buildings. WFIS has offered an amendment prioritizing health and safety compliance while committing to clean building standards. There is still time to add the amendment.
*Engrossed SSHB 1648 is a second substitute bill with an amendment that gives teachers less time to obtain their necessary credentials. We initially asked for ten years, but due to an amendment by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, we are back to five.
*Engrossed SSB 5509 requires cities, towns, and city codes to permit childcare centers to be used in all zones except industrial zones, light industrial zones, and open space. Senator John Braun added an amendment stipulating “conditional use approval of an on-site child care center in industrial or light industrial zones, except in or around high hazard facilities.” This bill was voted off the floor. Seven Republicans voted against it.
*SSB 5655 (HB 1582) requires that when a child care center is operated in a dedicated space within an existing building with more than one use, the occupancy load must be based only on the areas where the child care services are provided. This bill was voted off the Senate Floor unanimously and was referred to the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee.
* indicates a change from last week.
