3144 Policy – Release of Information Concerning Student Sexual and Kidnapping Offenders

Bellingham Public Schools recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of all students, including students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender enrolled within the district. Therefore, the district will take appropriate precautionary measures in situations where the building principal has been advised by law enforcement or a court that a student required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender is enrolling or is attending a school within the district.

Responsibilities

When the district or principal receives notice from law enforcement or a court that a sex or kidnapping offender will be attending the principal’s school, the principal will provide the information received to every teacher of the student and to any other personnel who, in the judgment of the principal, supervises the student or for security purposes should be aware of the student’s record.

Collaboration

The district will work with law enforcement and courts to coordinate the receipt of notifications regarding students registered as sex or kidnapping offenders. The district will also consult and collaborate with department of corrections, juvenile justice staff, treatment providers, victim support groups, and families, as applicable, when working with students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender.

Inquiries by the Public

Inquiries by the public at large (including parents and students) regarding students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender are to be referred directly to law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies receive relevant information about the release of sex and kidnapping offenders into communities and decide when such information needs to be released to the public.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

All students, including those students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender, have a constitutional right to a public education. Students required to register as sex or kidnapping offenders are also required to notify law enforcement of their intent to enroll in school.

Approved By: Greg Baker, Superintendent

Adopted/Previous Revisions: 11/21/19

Updated: 11/21/19

Superintendent or Board Approved: Superintendent Approved

Cross References:	Content
	3143 District Notification of Juvenile Offenders

Legal References:	Content
	RCW 4.24.550 Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders — Release of information to public — Web site RCW 9A.44.130 Registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders — Procedures — Definition — Penalties RCW 13.04.155 Notification to school principal of conviction, adjudication, or diversion agreement — Provision of information to teachers and other personnel — Confidentiality RCW 13.40.215 Juveniles found to have committed violent or sex offense or stalking — Notification of discharge, parole, leave, release, transfer, or escape — To whom given — School attendance — Definitions RCW 28A.225.330 Enrolling students from other districts — Requests for information and permanent records — Withheld transcripts — Immunity from liability — Notification to teachers and security personnel — Rules RCW 72.09.345 Sex offenders — Release of information to protect public — End-of-sentence review committee — Assessment — Records access — Review, classification, referral of offenders — Issuance of narrative notices 20 U.S. C. 1232g et.seq Family and Educational and Privacy Rights Act of 1994 Art. IX, Section 1, Washington State Constitution

Legal References:

Content

RCW 4.24.550 Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders — Release of information to public — Web site
RCW 9A.44.130 Registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders — Procedures — Definition — Penalties
RCW 13.04.155 Notification to school principal of conviction, adjudication, or diversion agreement — Provision of information to teachers and other personnel — Confidentiality
RCW 13.40.215 Juveniles found to have committed violent or sex offense or stalking — Notification of discharge, parole, leave, release, transfer, or escape — To whom given — School attendance — Definitions
RCW 28A.225.330 Enrolling students from other districts — Requests for information and permanent records — Withheld transcripts — Immunity from liability — Notification to teachers and security personnel — Rules
RCW 72.09.345 Sex offenders — Release of information to protect public — End-of-sentence review committee — Assessment — Records access — Review, classification, referral of offenders — Issuance of narrative notices
20 U.S. C. 1232g et.seq Family and Educational and Privacy Rights Act of 1994
Art. IX, Section 1, Washington State Constitution

Management Resources:	Content
	Policy News, August 2018 A Better Response to Notification of Juvenile Offenders Policy News, December 2006 Student Sex and Kidnapping Offender Notice Requirements