OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill aimed at enhancing school safety is nearing the final stages of approval, poised to reach Governor Bob Ferguson’s desk soon.
SB 5272, now under review by the House, is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday by the House Committee on Community Safety.
The bill seeks to address incidents of violence or threats in schools and during extracurricular activities such as sporting events. Additionally, it updates existing laws regarding interference with school operations through force or threats.
Furthermore, the bill expands protection to include more individuals involved in school activities, such as employees, contractors, students, volunteers and athletic officials. It also increases penalties for interference by force or violence, which may involve fines and possible jail time.
Specific consequences for students include emergency removal and potential bans from certain activities for up to a year. Warning signs explaining penalties for certain offenses are also required at school venues.
During a hearing, Spokane Valley City Councilmember Al Merkel, speaking on his own behalf, highlighted the importance of having officials in sports.
“When we can’t find officials, our kids are the ones who lose out on the chance to play and learn those lessons on character and responsibility,” Merkel said.
Lawmakers emphasize the necessity of this bill to address threats, particularly towards sports officials. However, critics express concerns about the potential for high emotions at sporting events and the vagueness of the bill’s language, which they fear may lead to inconsistent enforcement.
