The bill aims to enhance parental involvement in schools by establishing guidelines for parents with criminal convictions who wish to volunteer. It introduces a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW, which mandates that schools notify volunteer applicants about the process for submitting documents related to criminal innocence or rehabilitation. If a parent has submitted such documents for all their convictions and has not been convicted of any new crimes since, the school cannot deny their volunteer application based solely on their criminal history. For parents who have not submitted these documents, schools must evaluate their applications based on the time elapsed since their last conviction and other relevant factors, such as the nature of the crime and the parent's age at the time of the offense.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws, including RCW 28A.320.155 and RCW 28A.400.303, to clarify the requirements for criminal record checks for volunteers and employees in schools. It specifies that schools must require a disclosure statement from volunteers indicating no new convictions since their last background check. The bill also defines key terms such as "parent," "school," and "unsupervised," and outlines the appeal process for parents whose volunteer applications are denied. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a more inclusive environment for parents with criminal backgrounds while ensuring the safety of students.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.400.303