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Minutes for HB2257 - Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Short Title
Requirements for school district bullying policies; investigation of complaints.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 19, 2019
Without objection, Chairperson Williams opened a hearing on HB2257.
Jason Long presented to the Committee an explanation of HB2257. (Attachment 2) He stood for and answered numerous questions.
Leah Fliter presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2257 in order "to craft a response that will protect students from bullying while respecting local board control and the constitutional role of the State Board of Education". (Attachment 3) She stood for questions.
Thomas Witt presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2257 because it does not impose specific policy implementations on school districts . . it gives school districts broad guidelines to follow in the development of policies and procedures that best fit their district". (Attachment 4) He stood for questions.
Lindsay Buck presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2257 explaining "why publication and visibility of bullying policies and plans would be so beneficial for our school communities . . . [including] improved policies and procedures that require follow through and accountability by the district". (Attachment 5) She stood for questions.
Written only testimony in support of HB2257 was offered by Jennifer Pearson, WSU Associate Professor of Sociology (Attachment 6); Liz Hamor, GLSEN Kansas (Attachment 7); and Reanna, Clearwater student (Attachment 8).
Jerry Henn presented testimony to the Committee neutral to HB2257 by expressing the following concerns: 1) "school districts have an appropriate policy already in place"; 2) "the behavior referenced in this bill should be reflected as 'bullying behavior'"; and 3) "remain focused on behavior that happens at school or that substantially effects the school environment". (Attachment 9) He stood for questions.
Mark Desetti presented testimony to the Committee neutral to HB2257 by suggesting "a task force with researching the actual state of district plan and the accessibility of those plans today". (Attachment 10) He stood for questions.
No testimony in opposition to HB2257 was presented to the Committee.
When all questions from the Committee were answered, Chairperson Williams closed the hearing on HB2257.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 pm.
