[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6342242,"mediaKeyId","2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd","parentId",2255420,"title","Panel reviews bill to permit parent‑designated adults to give emergency injections for students with adrenal insufficiency","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",3662000,"endMs",3882000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd&start=3662&end=3882","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd/thumbnail_3662000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342242/Washington/Panel-reviews-bill-to-permit-parentdesignated-adults-to-give-emergency-injections-for-students-with-adrenal-insufficiency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342242-fc3762a9bd95e5ada4a510ca7f6c70ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154918&Signature=Bg77b0DZOueGXJnum6Xk~VqHFXgiPQ-4prR6pzY-0nL3zdWDz8Aj7cyqpY31NexscMzHB-eTiIGsJOyFxXzEOgMzVUmKGQTMfDwXemh5Y9-Eaq4tDhW~C6BZMBj4Sc1cZQ-5qLAI2rHyN8tqkIy8rjLmi3Bq7vWLtnejbs4n7Zo-7-YqNA1AzyFbAuG8W1pszJWs8d93-08ZagumzrsREBOQ-DckJLD7PZcO0rKbEfu5j54sY9cRTw6xNM5v7dGaicxFrfJHjrRRTptqRVh95Y6mbMoQzHOjbR2hRxRIvDN7DsUJYAbXb2GFZN3kdFIY7Ao~H8Spgglq8eRC0ExUXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Education","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","The House Education Committee heard House Bill 1709, a bill that would permit parent‑designated adults (PDAs) to provide necessary care for students with adrenal insufficiency, including administering emergency injectable cortisol when a nurse or parent is not available.

Damien Morden Snipper, nonpartisan staff, briefed members on how current statutory requirements limit schools’ ability to administer injectable medication except when specifically authorized and explained the existing PDA framework used for diabetes and seizure disorders. He described adrenal insufficiency (including congenital adrenal hyperplasia) as a condition in which the body does not produce enough cortisol; in acute adrenal crisis, low cortisol can present “an imminent risk of shock or death.” Snipper said injectable cortisol can be a life‑saving emergency treatment.

Representative Lisa Kallen, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure mirrors existing PDA statutory language for epilepsy and diabetes so that parents can rely on trained, designated adults when a nurse or parent is not present. “The impact of not having a PDA access in our schools is children are limited,” Kallen said, noting parents often must attend every field trip or remove their child from activities to ensure prompt care.

Family testimony described past emergencies and practical gaps in coverage. Mark Harper, a firefighter and father whose son has congenital adrenal hyperplasia, recounted a home adrenal crisis: “When he was 7 years old, he had an adrenal crisis... Fortunately, my wife was there to give the shot of Solucortef. That saved his life.” Parents said many schools share nurses across buildings, and that calling 911 can be too slow because paramedics are not always immediately available.

Parents and school health leaders urged passage as an equity and safety measure. A parent from Issaquah said she has sometimes had to work from her car to be available when the school nurse was not on site; “Waiting isn't an option and it's unnecessary,” she told the committee after describing administering the emergency injection herself.

School nursing organizations supported the bill but recommended an amendment to allow a registered nurse to delegate administration to a trained staff member when the nurse is not available. Liz Pray, Washington state director of the National Association of School Nurses, asked the committee to modify language so that the life‑saving medication could be “delegated by a registered nurse in the school setting,” noting other states have adopted similar delegation models.

Committee members did not vote on the bill. Questions included how common the diagnosis is (witnesses could not provide statewide counts) and whether broader medical providers such as EMTs should be authorized; firefighters and witnesses noted EMT scope does not universally permit the medication while paramedics can administer it. Sponsors and staff said they would follow up with requested background information.

Why it matters: advocates and families framed the bill as a narrow, safety‑focused change that would allow trained adults designated by parents to deliver time‑sensitive, potentially life‑saving injections when school nurses or paramedics are not immediately available. School nursing groups asked for language that explicitly allows RN delegation to trained staff as a practical alternative.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education - 2/10/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The House Education Committee heard House Bill 1709, a bill that would permit parent‑designated adults to provide necessary care, including injectable cortisol, for students with adrenal insufficiency when a nurse or parent is not available.","taxTitle","Education, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20259,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342254,"House panel hears bill to create statewide behavioral‑health training and technical assistance network for schools",362,146000,508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd&start=146&end=508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd/thumbnail_146000.jpg","/articles/6342254/Washington/House-panel-hears-bill-to-create-statewide-behavioralhealth-training-and-technical-assistance-network-for-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342254-fd70c6d58cd57b35d674741730892f20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154919&Signature=TZQE6hxtAH-hs7mWifFASxN9FrAR0Xg-IoBFNLGTWZHvwdiDbcySqVLRokGF6~ZVBGOR2g6autv2sx5x9JwQtyIIxJqyA8rPaOcwiuV8ofhr-DaI9K0NMu09tVSTiuTWPQrugX~hpVLFm5EQAC3rX3mB9SH5chHkxpzCYVAQbWA18NxpcCe41oUEDfLDACBggqCU-wCINpx37-YmqV6yzB~9RDoG1P3rdxzfTYaHBs3~OC3iLtrgWu1kl7Mx4Yqp11Xid7kBOqWHnSDdtJcaORy7dlbn9XCS~S2z58NzQ8I5M3KEUmoOfx06Kxin5SxLkU788SyOSwAQfAhyl~uhlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee on Tuesday heard House Bill 1634, which would direct the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a coordinating hub and a statewide and regional technical‑assistance network to help public schools and school districts coordinate comprehensive behavioral‑health services for students.

The bill, introduced by Representative Milin Tai, would assemble statewide and regional partners — including educational service districts (ESDs), academic centers of excellence, and community‑based organizations — to provide needs assessments, evidence‑based program design and evaluation, crisis intervention guidance and connections to community behavioral‑health providers. OSPI would run the coordinating hub, set partner criteria and analyze data to set priorities. A fiscal note has been requested.

Megan Wargacki, counsel to the committee, summarized background included in the bill: the role of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, the statutory requirement for school district plans to respond to student distress, and the regional school safety centers that already list behavioral‑health coordination among their services. Wargacki said the bill “establishes a technical assistance and training network to provide school districts and public schools with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive supports across the behavioral health continuum for their students.”

Representative Milin Tai, the bill sponsor, told the committee the legislation is meant to address gaps in connecting existing resources to districts. “If there's one word that you would remember out of this piece of legislation in front of you is the word coordinating,” Tai said, adding that many effective programs exist but are not consistently available across the state.

Supporters from educational leaders and school practitioners said the bill would scale programs already working locally. Melissa Gumbosky, testifying for the AESD network of nine educational service districts, cited a district program evaluated by the UW SMART Center and said the bill could expand proven supports so “every school [has] access to proven effective support.” Misha Trunisky, speaking for OSPI, described the proposal as a way to create “a coordinated and consistent hub” so districts that lack resources know where to turn.

Students, district staff and community organizations also urged passage. Mahi Malati, a high‑school student, described relying on peers and teachers when professional help is not available and urged lawmakers to “vote yes for HB 1634 to connect schools to train professionals from local organizations who are equipped to handle the nuanced struggle of being a high school student.” Several district leaders and social workers described long community waitlists for behavioral‑health services and said the network would help connect schools to local providers and training resources.

Opponents raised different concerns. Kathleen Wedemeyer of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights said the bill would expand a “behavioral health” framework she described as invalid and warned schools should not become “a feeder system for psychiatric labeling and drug treatments.” John Axtell, a self‑described student advocate, said the state should prioritize different evaluation and intervention approaches rather than creating a new coordinating hub.

The committee did not take a vote. Committee staff noted the bill will have a fiscal note and members asked OSPI representatives for follow‑up on how “academic centers of excellence” and other partners would be defined and recruited. The bill remains at the public‑hearing stage; staff and sponsors said written materials and any requested clarifications will be circulated to committee members.

Why it matters: supporters say the bill would reduce fragmentation by giving smaller or underresourced districts a pathway to the same technical assistance and training available in pilot sites; opponents warned of framework and accountability concerns. The bill’s progress will hinge on the forthcoming fiscal analysis and follow‑up details from OSPI about partner selection and funding.

The committee scheduled further action dates on several bills heard Tuesday; any amendments or fiscal details would be circulated to members ahead of executive‑session deadlines.","The House Education Committee on Tuesday heard House Bill 1634, which would direct the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a coordinating hub and a statewide and regional technical‑assistance network to help public schools and school districts coordinate comprehensive behavioral‑health services for students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342238,"Committee reviews bill that tightens limits on student isolation and restraint and expands training and reporting",2110,4823000,6933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd&start=4823&end=6933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd/thumbnail_4823000.jpg","/articles/6342238/Washington/Committee-reviews-bill-that-tightens-limits-on-student-isolation-and-restraint-and-expands-training-and-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342238-1e1e74ae7dbe9ac22158472f7a4edbfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154919&Signature=HBQM-32BDrC1Tr9HOPwT2hCqeJHIlRTMuCnZCNgP3TfQm1Re6C7fUIEXnD3~fV4PhQbTyacDwIlbR~DBxxdfdBYCegFUrbQw~Fqq0EWEY-A4Hepmpo34SUZjoLWM6Pg4laU2VhJB8MZrzmIBKcDtMqooAN-tA8Nls7GMGZger0mKh1YvR6zg8WcFzPuqZE~oZ4ayN7Y81XVqoKkbrtXC6estbLdhFcFpVR23CPlIy2bN0qyaKkXTdErnOJMep~QLuDdUs0AEfzkSDtSpiJJdVUgyEzcpXXq9VGBIXxXl8KRJ0IdlhJBQs45IJXyEaXrudsqtw4nFgSUBw7OSlYB-WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee held a lengthy public hearing on House Bill 1795, a comprehensive measure that would expand statewide training and demonstration projects aimed at reducing restraint and eliminating the use of isolation in schools, clarify permissible uses of physical restraint, prohibit chemical and mechanical restraints, and create new reporting, training and OSPI technical‑assistance requirements.

Committee counsel Megan Wargacki gave a high‑level overview. The bill would extend the demonstration projects created in recent budgets, require OSPI to submit a final report on pilot sites by Dec. 15, 2026, and — subject to appropriations — expand pilot sites to Central and Eastern Washington. It also revises conditions under which staff may physically restrain or isolate a student, sets limits on enclosures used for isolation, establishes notification and review procedures after incidents, and requires school districts to submit updated policies and implementation plans. Key dates included a prohibition, beginning August 1, 2027, on isolation of pre‑kindergarten through grade 5 students unless a parent requests it in writing and two licensed health professionals have authorized it; an OSPI‑approved intensive crisis prevention and response training requirement beginning in August 2030; and an exemption pathway that expires July 31, 2031 (OSPI may extend exemptions until staff are trained).

The hearing drew many witnesses. Survivors and advocates described traumatic experiences with isolation and restraint. Esther Rourke of The Arc of King County, speaking as a person with lived experience and former paraeducator, said the harm persists into adulthood and can produce PTSD and other long‑term effects. Student witnesses described being restrained or isolated as children and urged passage. One student said she had been \"locked in a room and zip tied to a chair\" at age five.

Districts that participated in pilot projects reported promising results when they implemented relationship‑centered, trauma‑informed approaches and received coaching. Dominic Ventresco of Pullman, who described reduced incidents after targeted training, said continued demonstration funding would allow the district to extend resources and reduce restraint and isolation occurrences.

Educator groups and unions supported the bill’s goals but warned implementation requires adequate funding and staffing. Jared Mason Geer of the Washington Education Association said professional development and clear guidance are needed and raised concerns about uncertainty for educators about when they may intervene in behaviors such as running or fighting. Ross Thompson of the Association of Washington School Principals urged that districts maintain reasonable options to confine a student temporarily to an office or another room while the adult helps the student regulate, and asked the committee to be precise about what those permissible practices look like in statute. Public School Employees testified about staffing shortages and the need for resources to support transition to alternative interventions.

The bill also expands OSPI’s monitoring and technical assistance role, requires revised board policies by Aug. 1, 2026, sets expectations for annual summaries and OSPI publications of data, and calls for multiple reports to the legislature on pilot outcomes, implementation challenges and recommendations for statewide policy changes. A fiscal note has been requested; several witnesses emphasized that the benefits shown in pilot sites depend on sustained funding for training, regional coaches, and staff time.

Why it matters: the bill would codify a shift toward prevention, training and accountability for behavior management in schools while restricting some uses of isolation and restraint. Supporters said pilot sites show reduced use of exclusionary practices when districts receive coaching and time for implementation; critics and some school staff said the law must be paired with funding, clear operational definitions, and realistic staffing plans to be safely implemented.","House Bill 1795 would extend and expand demonstration projects, restrict some forms of isolation and restraint, require new staff training and reporting, and create technical assistance from OSPI. Testimony included survivors, disability advocates, educators and unions who supported the prevention focus but warned the policy requires funding and",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342249,"Bill would require more school board members to be elected from geographic director districts; OSPI and advocates differ on best approach",351,2547000,2898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd&start=2547&end=2898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255420-a278f2dac4d1447f9708af67f35ba7fd/thumbnail_2547000.jpg","/articles/6342249/Washington/Bill-would-require-more-school-board-members-to-be-elected-from-geographic-director-districts-OSPI-and-advocates-differ-on-best-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342249-cbe559222a874daa05dc464c51e5a828/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154919&Signature=Zs4MpPYBcGhnqYI7JQxJDdlq8UUPmoE3iLjEW8lXljveHSwteXfqaCwlj-zoXis1DDDPXRUSGB-cWrfoOjsANd4~vL2gmCYukcbM0GGXQRQOV3H-m733~6NlMSQSMKHLXBjGKOS42G1PzNsS4py2Kivj3hXOdx5Epfjxl2bTxHMBLJ8ZkEsyZZ6qwQqIohwB7Qa8si27qVEjILCfQvxTAeUQ3g7m45QbF-EwFRNxmCKMNuzodxgFwvgrRXFlsSsh6f0l1tcLBUOXlXk6PjVnb9GVEYopD9q1svGtiqTGijheFcYw3oH1eUNTw1UDxtEx1WiYhgVw9AiKMIn1oj4nwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee heard House Bill 1683 on Tuesday, a measure that would require larger Washington school districts to elect a minimum number of school board directors by designated member director districts rather than solely at large. The change would take effect by calendar year 2027.

Under the bill briefed by nonpartisan staff, districts with headcount enrollments of 3,001 to 5,000 would have to elect at least three directors by designated member districts; districts with more than 5,000 students would have to elect at least four directors by such districts. Districts with 3,000 or fewer students are exempt. The bill does not change the total number of board members but sets a minimum that must be elected by geographic director districts.

Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan committee staff, said director district boundaries are already subject to revision after the federal decennial census and explained how the bill would affect primary and general election procedures. Representative Lillian Ortiz‑Self, the bill’s sponsor, said the aim is to improve local representation: “I want to make sure that everybody gets represented and that people have a voice,” she told the committee.

Tyler Munch, speaking for OSPI, framed the bill as a tool to improve candidate diversity and parent participation, citing research that “Studies have consistently demonstrated that proportional representation voting produces more balanced representation by encouraging a wider pool of candidates to seek office.” Munch said the bill exempts small districts to preserve flexibility; OSPI estimated about 32 districts would not comply as drafted.

Supporters included community groups that told the committee some school boards do not reflect neighborhoods. Nina Martinez of Latino Civic Alliance said the bill would encourage neighbors to run without competing against better‑resourced, district‑wide candidates. Several witnesses urged safeguards or legislative options to ensure the policy does not produce unintended vacancies.

Local school‑board leaders and the Washington State School Directors Association raised concerns about a one‑size‑fits‑all mandate and about practical recruitment problems in some districts. Dr. Karen Bolton of WSSDA said districts need flexibility to tailor recruitment and that rigid designations could complicate filling board positions in areas with low candidate interest. Researchers from Sightline Institute and FairVote Washington supported the objective of broader representation but warned single‑member districts do not guarantee proportional outcomes and suggested multi‑winner or ranked‑choice approaches as effective alternatives.

The committee did not vote on the bill. Staff and witnesses recommended additional technical work on definitions, a possible local option for multi‑winner districts, and a list of districts that would be affected; OSPI said it would provide a list of the 32 districts it identified as out of compliance.

Why it matters: the bill seeks to change how school board seats are elected in larger districts to make boards more geographically representative. Supporters argued it will diversify candidate pools and improve local accountability; opponents said it may reduce local flexibility and create recruitment or implementation challenges.","House Education Committee heard House Bill 1683, which would require larger school districts to elect a minimum number of directors by geographic director districts rather than at‑large; witnesses discussed representation tradeoffs, recruitment challenges and alternatives such as multi‑winner proportional methods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel reviews bill to permit parent‑designated adults to give emergency injections for students with adrenal insufficiency

House panel hears bill to create statewide behavioral‑health training and technical assistance network for schools

Committee reviews bill that tightens limits on student isolation and restraint and expands training and reporting

Bill would require more school board members to be elected from geographic director districts; OSPI and advocates differ on best approach