Discrimination in schools

AN ACT Relating to expanding protections for certain students to 1
promote inclusivity in public schools; amending RCW 28A.642.010; 2
adding a new section to chapter 28A.642 RCW; and creating a new 3
section. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:6
(1) Clear and comprehensive definitions that reflect an evolving 7
understanding of identity can ensure that Washington schools are at 8
the forefront of inclusivity; 9
(2) While federal protections provide a foundation, the 10
legislature recognizes the urgency of addressing the needs of diverse 11
communities. Through state protections, the legislature ensures 12
equity and justice for every student regardless of federal action or 13
inaction; 14
(3) Discrimination can create an environment of harassment and 15
exclusion, creating barriers to learning and development and leading 16
to severe impacts on student mental health and academic success. This 17
often results in higher rates of anxiety and depression for 18
marginalized students; 19
(4) Inclusive schools have been shown to improve mental health 20
outcomes through a sense of belonging. For example, LGBTQ-affirming 21
H-1132.1
HOUSE BILL 1855
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Zahn, Salahuddin, Reed, Parshley, Pollet, Hill,
Ramel, Doglio, and Obras
Read first time 02/05/25. Referred to Committee on Education.
p. 1 HB 1855
schools play a role in reducing suicidal ideation for LGBTQ students 1
according to the Trevor project; and 2
(5) By providing statewide protections for marginalized students, 3
Washington can pave the way for more inclusivity. 4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.642 5
RCW to read as follows: 6
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter 7
unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 8
(1) "Ethnicity" means a connection to a population group that 9
shares a common cultural heritage or ancestry. 10
(2) "Gender expression" means the external appearance of one's 11
gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body 12
characteristics, or voice, and which may or may not conform to 13
socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated 14
with being either masculine or feminine. 15
(3) "Gender identity" means a person's internal sense of being 16
male, female, both, neither, or in-between, independent of how it is 17
expressed or perceived by others. 18
(4) "Homelessness" means without a fixed, regular, and adequate 19
nighttime residence, including circumstances such as sharing the 20
housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, 21
fleeing domestic violence, or a similar reason as set forth in the 22
federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 23
et seq. 24
(5)(a) "Immigration status" means the actual or perceived legal 25
condition or classification of a person and their parents or 26
guardians if the person is a minor as it relates to their presence 27
and rights to reside in a country that is not their country of 28
citizenship or origin. 29
(b) "Immigration status" includes, but is not limited to, the 30
statuses of naturalized citizen, permanent resident, visa holder, 31
undocumented, and refugee. 32
(6) "Neurodivergence" means neurological differences including, 33
but not limited to, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and attention 34
deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neurodivergent individuals may or may 35
not identify as disabled. 36
(7) "Sexual orientation" means an individual's enduring pattern 37
of romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction to people of the same 38
gender, a different gender, or multiple genders. 39
p. 2 HB 1855
Sec. 3. RCW 28A.642.010 and 2010 c 240 s 2 are each amended to 1
read as follows: 2
Discrimination in Washington public schools on the basis of race, 3
ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably 4
discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation 5
((including)), gender expression ((or)), gender identity, 6
homelessness, immigration status, the presence of any sensory, 7
mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a 8
trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is 9
prohibited. The definitions given these terms in chapter 49.60 RCW 10
apply throughout this chapter except as provided in section 2 of this 11
act and unless the context clearly requires otherwise.12
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p. 3 HB 1855