HB1817 • 2026

Schools/sexual assault

Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.

Budget Children Education Healthcare Labor Parental Rights

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Scott, Representative Pollet, Representative Doglio, Representative Berry, Representative Parshley, Representative Obras, Representative Goodman, Representative Street, Representative Macri, Representative Taylor, Representative Salahuddin, Representative Ryu, Representative Hill
Last action: 2026-01-12
Official status: H Rules X
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Schools/sexual assault

What This Bill Does

Schools/sexual assault

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157

117 • Scott

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157 SHB 1817 - H AMD 117 By Representative Scott NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 5, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157 SHB 1817 - H AMD 117 By Representative Scott NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 5, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
Sec.
1.
(1) The legislative youth advisory council established under RCW 43.15.095 shall lead a collaborative discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect under RCW 26.44.030.

1817-S AMH COUT WARG 214

683 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 214 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Makes the requirement for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to lead a collaborative discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect subject to appropriations.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 214 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Makes the requirement for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to lead a collaborative discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect subject to appropriations.
Makes the bill null and void unless funded in the operating budget.
1817-S AMH COUT WARG 214 SHB 1817 - H AMD TO H AMD (1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157) 683 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, line 2 of the amendment, after "(1)" strike "The" and insert "Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the" On page 3, after line 3 of the amendment, insert the following: "On page 3 after line 5, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
Sec.

1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161

684 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161 SHB 1817 - H AMD 684 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 5, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161 SHB 1817 - H AMD 684 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 5, insert the following: "Sec.
1.
RCW 26.44.030 and 2024 c 298 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) When any practitioner, county coroner or medical examiner, law enforcement officer, professional school personnel, registered or licensed nurse, social service counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, employee of the department of children, youth, and families, licensed or certified child care providers or their employees, employee of the department of social and health services, juvenile probation officer, diversion unit staff, placement and liaison specialist, responsible living skills program staff, HOPE center staff, state family and children's ombuds or any volunteer in the ombuds' office, or host home program has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040.
(b) When any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory authority, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency, provided that the person alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the organization and coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child or children or regularly has unsupervised access to a child or children as part of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 161 2 - Official Print employment, contract, or voluntary service.

1817 AMH COUT WARG 213

685 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 213 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Makes the requirement for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to lead a collaborative discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect subject to appropriations.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 213 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Makes the requirement for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council to lead a collaborative discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect subject to appropriations.
Makes the bill null and void unless funded in the operating budget.
1817 AMH COUT WARG 213 HB 1817 - H AMD 685 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, line 7, after "(1)" strike "The" and insert "Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the" On page 4, after line 15, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
Sec.

1817-S AMH RUDE WARG 162

686 • Rude

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 162 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH RUDE WARG 162 SHB 1817 - H AMD 686 By Representative Rude NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 14, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 162 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH RUDE WARG 162 SHB 1817 - H AMD 686 By Representative Rude NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 14, insert the following: "Sec.
2.
RCW 28A.320.160 and 2005 c 274 s 244 are each amended to read as follows: (1) School districts must, at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by ((a)) an employee or contractor of the school ((employee)) district, notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the alleged sexual misconduct.
School districts shall provide parents and legal guardians with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding school employee discipline.

1817-S AMH KEAT WARG 220

687 • Keaton

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 220 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the removal of criminal penalties for failure to make a mandatory report.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 220 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the removal of criminal penalties for failure to make a mandatory report.
1817-S AMH KEAT WARG 220 SHB 1817 - H AMD TO H AMD (1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157) 687 By Representative Keaton NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, line 21 of the amendment, after "(2)" insert "The discussion required under subsection (1) of this section and the recommendations required under subsection (3) of this section may not include the removal of criminal penalties under RCW 26.44.080 for failure to make a mandatory report.
(3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

1817-S AMH JACO WARG 215

688 • Jacobsen

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 215 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Adds the entities created by joint agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services to the list of representatives of agencies and other organizations that meet for the collaborative discussions led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 215 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Adds the entities created by joint agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services to the list of representatives of agencies and other organizations that meet for the collaborative discussions led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
1817-S AMH JACO WARG 215 SHB 1817 - H AMD TO H AMD (1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157) 688 By Representative Jacobsen NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, line 4 of the amendment, after "office;" strike "and" On page 2, line 5 of the amendment, after "(h)" insert "The entities created by joint agreement pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services under chapter 48.62 RCW; and (i)" --- END

1817 AMH KEAT WARG 219

689 • Keaton

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 219 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the removal of criminal penalties for failure to make a mandatory report.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 219 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the removal of criminal penalties for failure to make a mandatory report.
1817 AMH KEAT WARG 219 HB 1817 - H AMD 689 By Representative Keaton NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, line 5, after "(2)" insert "The discussion required under subsection (1) of this section and the recommendations required under subsection (3) of this section may not include the removal of criminal penalties under RCW 26.44.080 for failure to make a mandatory report.
(3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

1817 AMH JACO WARG 216

690 • Jacobsen

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 216 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Adds the entities created by joint agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services to the list of representatives of agencies and other organizations that meet for the collaborative discussions led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 216 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Adds the entities created by joint agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services to the list of representatives of agencies and other organizations that meet for the collaborative discussions led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
1817 AMH JACO WARG 216 HB 1817 - H AMD 690 By Representative Jacobsen NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "office;" strike "and" On page 2, line 16, after "(h)" insert "The entities created by joint agreement pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services under chapter 48.62 RCW; and (i)" --- END

1817 AMH RUDE WARG 212

691 • Rude

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 212 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH RUDE WARG 212 HB 1817 - H AMD 691 By Representative Rude NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 3, after line 3, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 212 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH RUDE WARG 212 HB 1817 - H AMD 691 By Representative Rude NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 3, after line 3, insert the following: "Sec.
3.
RCW 28A.320.160 and 2005 c 274 s 244 are each amended to read as follows: (1) School districts must, at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by ((a)) an employee or contractor of the school ((employee)) district, notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the alleged sexual misconduct.
School districts shall provide parents and legal guardians with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding school employee discipline.

1817-S AMH KEAT WARG 160

692 • Keaton

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 160 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to also collaborate with the entities created by joint interlocal cooperative agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services when developing a student and family guide to the school district sexual harassment policy, mandatory reporting, and related topics.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 160 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to also collaborate with the entities created by joint interlocal cooperative agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services when developing a student and family guide to the school district sexual harassment policy, mandatory reporting, and related topics.
1817-S AMH KEAT WARG 160 SHB 1817 - H AMD 692 By Representative Keaton NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, beginning on line 25, after "instruction" strike all material through "response," on line 27 On page 3, line 1, after "(3)" insert "The office of the superintendent of public instruction must develop the student and family guide in collaboration with: The Washington state school directors' association; the entities created by joint agreement pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services under chapter 48.62 RCW; and local community experts in sexual assault and misconduct and child abuse prevention and response.
(4)" --- END

1817 AMH COUT WARG 210

693 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 210 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to also collaborate with the entities created by joint interlocal cooperative agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services when developing a student and family guide to the school district sexual harassment policy, mandatory reporting, and related topics.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 210 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to also collaborate with the entities created by joint interlocal cooperative agreement to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services when developing a student and family guide to the school district sexual harassment policy, mandatory reporting, and related topics.
1817 AMH COUT WARG 210 HB 1817 - H AMD 693 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 34, after "instruction" strike all material through "response," on line 36 On page 4, line 11, after "(3)" insert "The office of the superintendent of public instruction must develop the student and family guide in collaboration with: The Washington state school directors' association; the entities created by joint agreement pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW to jointly purchase insurance, jointly self-insure, or jointly hire or contract for risk management services under chapter 48.62 RCW; and local community experts in sexual assault and misconduct and child abuse prevention and response.
(4)" --- END

1817 AMH COUT WARG 221

694 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 221 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 221 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.
1817 AMH COUT WARG 221 HB 1817 - H AMD 694 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, line 5, after "(2)" insert "The discussion required under subsection (1) of this section and the recommendations required under subsection (3) of this section may not include the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.
For the purposes of this subsection, "consent-based reporting standard" means, before professional school personnel, or other individuals designated as mandatory reporters, report an incident of sexual assault to the department of children, youth, and families or the proper law enforcement agency as required by RCW 26.44.030, the minor child who is a survivor of sexual assault must consent to reporting.
(3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

1817-S AMH COUT WARG 159

695 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH RUDE WARG 159 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 159 SHB 1817 - H AMD 695 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 14, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH RUDE WARG 159 1 - Official Print 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 159 SHB 1817 - H AMD 695 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, after line 14, insert the following: "Sec.
2.
RCW 28A.320.160 and 2005 c 274 s 244 are each amended to read as follows: School districts must, ((at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of)) immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee, notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the alleged sexual misconduct.
School districts shall provide parents and legal guardians with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding school employee discipline.

1817-S AMH COUT WARG 222

696 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 222 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817-S AMH COUT WARG 222 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Prohibits the collaborative discussion led by the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect, and any recommendations the LYAC has for amending these laws, from including the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.
1817-S AMH COUT WARG 222 SHB 1817 - H AMD TO H AMD (1817-S AMH SCOT WARG 157) 696 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 1, line 21 of the amendment, after "(2)" insert "The discussion required under subsection (1) of this section and the recommendations required under subsection (3) of this section may not include the adoption of a consent-based reporting standard.
For the purposes of this subsection, "consent-based reporting standard" means, before professional school personnel, or other individuals designated as mandatory reporters, report an incident of sexual assault to the department of children, youth, and families or the proper law enforcement agency as required by RCW 26.44.030, the minor child who is a survivor of sexual assault must consent to reporting.
(3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

1817 AMH COUT WARG 211

697 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 211 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH COUT WARG 211 HB 1817 - H AMD 697 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, after line 30, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH COUT WARG 211 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH COUT WARG 211 HB 1817 - H AMD 697 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 2, after line 30, insert the following: "Sec.
2.
RCW 26.44.030 and 2024 c 298 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) When any practitioner, county coroner or medical examiner, law enforcement officer, professional school personnel, registered or licensed nurse, social service counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, employee of the department of children, youth, and families, licensed or certified child care providers or their employees, employee of the department of social and health services, juvenile probation officer, diversion unit staff, placement and liaison specialist, responsible living skills program staff, HOPE center staff, state family and children's ombuds or any volunteer in the ombuds' office, or host home program has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040.
(b) When any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory authority, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency, provided that the person alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the organization and coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child or children or regularly has unsupervised access to a child or children as part of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 1817 AMH COUT WARG 211 2 - Official Print employment, contract, or voluntary service.

1817 AMH COUT WARG 209

698 • Couture

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH RUDE WARG 209 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH COUT WARG 209 HB 1817 - H AMD 698 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 3, after line 3, insert the following: "Sec.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1817 AMH RUDE WARG 209 1 - Official Print 1817 AMH COUT WARG 209 HB 1817 - H AMD 698 By Representative Couture NOT CONSIDERED 04/27/2025 On page 3, after line 3, insert the following: "Sec.
3.
RCW 28A.320.160 and 2005 c 274 s 244 are each amended to read as follows: School districts must, ((at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of)) immediately upon receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct by a school employee, notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the alleged sexual misconduct.
School districts shall provide parents and legal guardians with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding school employee discipline.

Bill History

2026-01-12 House
House Rules "X" file.

Official Summary Text

Schools/sexual assault

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

AN ACT Relating to supporting survivors of sexual assault in 1
public elementary and secondary schools; amending RCW 28A.400.317; 2
adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to 3
chapter 28A.640 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective 4
date; and providing an expiration date. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:6
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislative youth advisory council 7
established under RCW 43.15.095 shall lead a collaborative discussion 8
about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or 9
neglect under RCW 26.44.030. The purpose of this discussion is to 10
solicit student feedback and to have students collaborate with 11
relevant agencies and organizations on this topic. The discussion 12
must include:13
(a) A review of certificated and classified school employee 14
training regarding their reporting obligations required under RCW 15
28A.400.317; 16
(b) A review of the Washington state school directors' 17
associations' model policies and procedures related to this topic;18
(c) A review of mandatory reporting-related components of the 19
office of the superintendent of public instruction's 2023 report 20
entitled supporting survivors of sexual assault in K-12 schools, 21
H-0894.1
HOUSE BILL 1817
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Scott, Pollet, Doglio, Berry, Parshley, Obras,
Goodman, Street, Macri, Taylor, Salahuddin, Ryu, and Hill
Read first time 02/04/25. Referred to Committee on Education.
p. 1 HB 1817
including the summary of the student listening sessions and the 1
contractor's report and recommendations; and 2
(d) A review of existing systems that school districts are using 3
for students to report concerns. 4
(2) The legislative youth advisory council must conduct this 5
discussion in no more than three meetings, and the meetings must 6
include representatives from at least the following agencies and 7
organizations: 8
(a) Office of the superintendent of public instruction;9
(b) Department of children, youth, and families;10
(c) Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;11
(d) Department of health; 12
(e) Department of social and health services; 13
(f) Washington state patrol; 14
(g) Attorney general's office; and 15
(h) Local community experts in sexual assault and misconduct and 16
child abuse prevention and response. 17
(3) By December 1, 2025, the legislative youth advisory council 18
shall report to the office of the superintendent of public 19
instruction, the Washington state school directors' association, and 20
the appropriate committees of the legislature in compliance with RCW 21
43.01.036 with any recommendations it has for amending these laws to 22
follow trauma-informed and survivor-centered best practices and any 23
recommendations related to the training materials described in 24
section 2 of this act and the contents of the student and family 25
guide described in section 4 of this act. 26
(4) The office of the lieutenant governor shall provide 27
administration, supervision, and facilitation support to help the 28
council meet the requirements of this section. 29
(5) This section expires August 1, 2027. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 31
RCW to read as follows: 32
(1) To help meet the requirements of RCW 28A.400.317(2)(b), the 33
office of the superintendent of public instruction, by November 1, 34
2026, shall post on its website, and periodically update, staff 35
training materials on trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to 36
disclosures of sexual abuse, misconduct, and assault, including best 37
practices for working with local community experts in sexual assault 38
and misconduct and child abuse prevention and response.39
p. 2 HB 1817
(2) The staff training materials described in this section must 1
consider any recommendations developed by the legislative youth 2
advisory council under section 1 of this act. 3
Sec. 3. RCW 28A.400.317 and 2013 c 10 s 4 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) A certificated or classified school employee who has 6
knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that a student has been a 7
victim of physical or sexual abuse ((or)), sexual misconduct , or 8
assault by another school employee, shall report such abuse ((or)), 9
misconduct, or assault to the appropriate school administrator. The 10
school administrator shall cause a report to be made to the proper 11
law enforcement agency if he or she has reasonable cause to believe 12
that the misconduct ((or)), abuse, or assault has occurred as 13
required under RCW 26.44.030. During the process of making a 14
reasonable cause determination, the school administrator shall 15
contact all parties involved in the complaint. 16
(2)(a) Certificated and classified school employees shall receive 17
training regarding their reporting obligations under state law in 18
their orientation training when hired and then every three years 19
thereafter. 20
(b) The training required under this subsection must promote 21
trauma-informed and survivor-centered responses to sexual abuse, 22
misconduct, and assault, and must include bystander intervention 23
training of employee sexual abuse of students.24
(c) The training required under this subsection may be 25
incorporated within existing training programs and related resources 26
and may use the staff training materials described in section 2 of 27
this act. 28
(3) Nothing in this section changes any of the duties established 29
under RCW 26.44.030. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.640 31
RCW to read as follows: 32
(1) By November 1, 2026, the office of the superintendent of 33
public instruction, in collaboration with the Washington state school 34
directors' association and local community experts in sexual assault 35
and misconduct and child abuse prevention and response, shall 36
develop, and periodically update, a student and family guide to the 37
school district sexual harassment policy required by RCW 38
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28A.640.020(2) and other laws, policies, and procedures related to 1
sexual abuse, misconduct, and assault, and mandatory reporting of 2
child abuse or neglect under RCW 26.44.030. 3
(2) The student and family guide must: 4
(a) Consider any recommendations developed by the legislative 5
youth advisory council under section 1 of this act;6
(b) Be culturally informed; and 7
(c) Be translated into the most common non-English languages 8
spoken across the state in accordance with the model language access 9
policy and procedures as required under chapter 28A.183 RCW.10
(3) School districts are encouraged to make the student and 11
family guide available to students and families, especially those 12
participating in the sexual harassment complaint process.13
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Section 3 of this act takes effect August 14
1, 2027.15
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