(1) The Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss is established to provide statewide leadership for the coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The activities of the center shall be under the authority of the director and the board of trustees. The superintendent and board of trustees of the state school for the deaf as of July 26, 2009, shall be the director and board of trustees of the center.

     (2) The center's primary functions are:

     (a) Managing and directing the supervision of the state school for the deaf;

     (b) Providing statewide leadership and support for the coordination of regionally delivered educational services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

     (c) Collaborating with appropriate public and private partners for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

[2009 c 381 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2009 c 381: "The legislature finds that the education of children who are deaf presents unique challenges because deafness is a low-incidence disability significantly impacting the child's ability to access communication at home, at school, and in the community. The legislature further finds that over the past fifty years, there have been numerous advances in technology as well as a growing awareness about the importance of delivering services to children in a variety of communication modalities to support their early and continued access to communication. The legislature intends to enhance the coordination of regionally delivered educational services and supports for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and to promote the development of communication-rich learning environments for these children." [2009 c 381 § 1.]

     Transfer of powers, duties, and property -- Construction of statutory references -- 2009 c 381: "(1) The state school for the deaf is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. All references to the superintendent or the state school for the deaf in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.

     (2)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material in the possession of the state school for the deaf shall be delivered to the custody of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed by the state school for the deaf shall be made available to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. All funds, credits, or other assets held by the state school for the deaf shall be assigned to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.

     (b) Any appropriations made to the state school for the deaf shall, on July 26, 2009, be transferred and credited to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.

     (c) If any question arises as to the transfer of any personnel, funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned.

     (3) All employees of the state school for the deaf are transferred to the jurisdiction of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service.

     (4) All rules and all pending business before the state school for the deaf shall be continued and acted upon by the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. All existing contracts and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.

     (5) The transfer of the powers, duties, functions, and personnel of the state school for the deaf shall not affect the validity of any act performed before July 26, 2009.

     (6) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers directed by this section, the director of financial management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.

     (7) The existing bargaining units shall be transferred in their entirety without the merging of other bargaining units or the inclusion of employees from other bargaining units. Nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any of the existing collective bargaining units unless the bargaining unit has been modified by action of the public employment relations commission as provided by law. Therefore, the certification of the existing bargaining units shall remain. However, the commission may, upon request, amend the certification to reflect the name of the new agency. In addition, nothing in this section may be construed to alter the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired." [2009 c 381 § 11.]