(1) Any pupil who defaces or otherwise injures any school property, or property belonging to a school contractor, employee, or another student, may be subject to suspension and punishment. If any property of the school district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student has been lost or willfully cut, defaced, or injured, the school district may withhold the diploma, but not the grades or transcripts, of the student responsible for the damage or loss until the student or the student's parent or guardian has paid for the damages. When the student and parent or guardian are unable to pay for the damages, the school district shall provide a program of community service for the student in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Upon completion of community service the diploma of the student must be released. The parent or guardian of the student shall be liable for damages as otherwise provided by law.
(2) Before the diploma is withheld under this section, a school district board of directors shall adopt procedures which insure that students' rights to due process are protected.
(3) If the department of social and health services or a child-placing agency licensed by the department has been granted custody of a child, that child's records, if requested by the department or agency, are not to be withheld for nonpayment of school fees or any other reason.
(4)(a) Each school district that withholds a diploma under this section shall publish and maintain the following information on its website:
(i) The number of diplomas withheld under this section, by graduating class, during the previous three school years; and
(ii) The number of students with withheld diplomas who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during their last two years of enrollment in the school district.
(b) To the extent practicable, school districts must publish the information required by this subsection (4) with the information published under RCW 28A.325.050.
[ 2021 c 120 § 1; 1997 c 266 § 13; 1994 c 304 § 1; 1993 c 347 § 3; 1989 c 269 § 6; 1982 c 38 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.87.120. Prior: 1909 c 97 p 361 § 41; RRS § 5057; prior: 1903 c 156 § 14; 1897 c 118 § 172; 1890 p 372 § 48. Formerly RCW 28A.87.120, 28.87.120.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Severability—1997 c 266: See notes following RCW 28A.600.455.
Effective date—1994 c 304: "This act shall take effect July 1, 1994." [ 1994 c 304 § 4.]
Action against parent for willful injury to property by minor—Monetary limitation—Common law liability preserved: RCW 4.24.190.