Bill would let districts post healthy-and-safe school reports online instead of keeping paper copies

Senate Bill 905 would remove the requirement that school districts, education service districts and schools maintain a printed copy of healthy-and-safe schools plans and environmental testing results, instead requiring districts or schools to maintain a website posting those materials, proponents told the House Education Committee on April 28.

The bill stems from the 2017 law that required districts to create healthy-and-safe schools plans addressing issues such as lead paint and lead in drinking water and to make plans and test results available both online and in paper form. The bill’s sponsor and witnesses said SB 905 eliminates administrative redundancy while retaining public access.

Sen. Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland) testified in support and said Portland Public Schools asked for the change because the paper-copy requirement adds an administrative burden without improving public access. “This is just literally about making it so you don't have to keep a paper copy because you have it on hand,” Taylor said. She noted the bill does not remove other notification and posting requirements, including the 10-day posting and family-notification duties tied to testing results.

Joe Krelier, director of risk management for Portland Public Schools, told the committee the district has received no requests to inspect paper copies kept at district administrative headquarters since the 2017 law was enacted. “No one has come to our department and asked to see the paper copies as required at the district administrative headquarters,” Krelier said, arguing the change would help districts move toward more efficient, paperless records while preserving public access online.

A staff summary attached to the bill shows a no-fiscal-impact statement. The committee closed the public hearing without taking action during the April 28 meeting.