Summary
During the 2024 session, the Legislature included a new budget proviso. The new proviso directs the State Board of Health (Board) to propose a new school environmental health and safety rule. The Board initiated this process in May 2024 and will complete the drafting of the new proposed rule, an environmental justice assessment, a fiscal analysis, and implementation recommendations by June 30, 2025. The project will be completed in collaboration with other state agencies and interested parties. The goal is to create a proposed rule establishing minimum environmental health and safety standards for schools.
Rules Hearing
Repeal of chapter 246-366A WAC, Environmental Health and Safety Standards for Primary and Secondary Schools
Date: June 4, 2025, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Location:
Washington State Department of Health
111 Israel Road S.E.
Tumwater, WA 98501
Building: Town Center Two (TC2, Rooms 166 & 167)
Access the meeting online and register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DiQ17FVFSSutIhHIzCvdRw
Dial-in using your phone for listen-only mode: +1 (253) 215-8782 (not toll-free)
Webinar ID: 897 5298 3316
Passcode: 682856
For More Information
- Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050
- State Board of Health Contact: Ash Noble, ash.noble@sboh.wa.gov
- Receive updates about the Boards School Environmental Health and Safety Rule project: School Rule Project Interest Form—under Policy Interest Areas, select "School Rule Project"
Additional Background
During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature included in the 2024 supplemental operating budget a proviso (Section 222, subsection 159 (page 492) that directs the Board to review and develop a new rule to set minimum health and safety standards for K-12 schools. The Legislature also required the Board to:
Conduct the rule review in collaboration with the Department of Health and a multi-disciplinary technical advisory committee. At a minimum, the committee must consist of representatives from:
- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- Small and Large School Districts
- Washington Association of School Administrators
- Washington State School Directors Association
- Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators
- Washington Association of School Business Officials
In developing the draft rule, the Board must consider the size of school districts, regional cost differences, the age of schools, feasibility of implementing the proposed rule by section or subject area, and other variables that may affect rule implementation.
The Board must meet with the committee to receive and discuss the committee’s comments on the proposed rule.
The proviso also directs the Board to collaborate with OSPI to develop a fiscal analysis regarding the implementation of the proposed rules. This analysis must consider school district size, regional cost differences, school age, and any other variables that may affect costs as identified by the advisory committee.
The Board must also work with the Department of Health to complete an environmental justice assessment on the proposed rule.
The Board must work collaboratively with OSPI, the Department of Health, the technical advisory committee, and local health jurisdictions to develop and provide a report to the Office of the Governor and appropriate committees by June 30, 2025. The report will prioritize sections or subject areas of the proposed rule with the greatest health and safety benefits and the order in which they should be implemented. The report will also include any additional recommendations for implementation.
The Board received funding for this work on July 1, 2024.
Committee Meeting Schedule
- What has the Board done since receiving funding?
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- Hired staff to carry out the work of the proviso
- Updated our website and reached out to interested parties and community partners
- Gathered information to help the advisory committee’s work
- Convened the technical advisory committee and held 16 meetings
- Developed a proposed rule
- Made the rule available for informal public comment
- Hosted public listening sessions across the state and virtually
- Reviewed public feedback from the informal comment period with the committee
- Refined language based on feedback
- Prioritized topics based on the impact on student health and safety
- Developed an implementation plan
- Met with the Board of Health to present recommendations
- Gathered formal comments to amend and repeal portions of chapters 246-366 and 246-366A WAC
- What will the Board do next?
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- Hold a hearing for the Repeal of Chapter 246-366A WAC during the June 4, 2025, Board Meeting
- Review the Legislative Report with the Board at the June 4, 2025, Board meeting
- Present the Final Legislative Report to the Governor and Legislature by June 30, 2025
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- Please participate!
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- Come listen to the hearing and committee update at the June 4, 2025, Board meeting.
- Read the proposed rule. Download a copy of Draft Language chapter 246-370 WAC.pdf.
- Subscribe to updates at School Rule Project Interest Form to receive notifications about this rule update. Under Policy Interest Areas, select "School Rule Project."
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Related Links
- CR-101 filed on June 20, 2024, as WSR 24-13-117
- Department of Health Environmental Justice Assessment
- Office of Financial Management Environmental Justice Assessment
