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SB5181 • 2026

Parents rights in education

Amending the parents rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law.

Children Education Elections Healthcare Parental Rights Privacy
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Senator C. Wilson, Senator Pedersen, Senator Dhingra, Senator Frame, Senator Liias, Senator Lovick, Senator Nobles, Senator Stanford, Senator Trudeau, Senator Wellman
Last action
2025-02-05
Official status
S subst for
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.

Parents rights in education

Parents rights in education

What This Bill Does

  • Parents rights in education

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.

5181-S.E AMH ED H2105.1

0 • Education

ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Plain English: 5181-S.E AMH ED H2105.1 ESSB 5181 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Education ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/14/2025 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.

  • 5181-S.E AMH ED H2105.1 ESSB 5181 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Education ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/14/2025 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.
  • 1.
  • RCW 28A.605.005 and 2024 c 4 s 1 are each amended to 3 read as follows: 4 (1) The legislature finds that: (a) Parents are the primary 5 stakeholders in their children's upbringing; (b) parental involvement 6 is a significant factor in increasing student achievement; and (c) 7 access to student information encourages greater parental 8 involvement.
  • 9 (2) Parents and legal guardians of ((public school children 10 younger than 18 years old have all of )) children enrolled in public 11 schools as defined in RCW 28A.150.010 have the following rights:12 (a) To access their child's classroom and school-sponsored 13 activities to observe in accordance with RCW 28A.605.020 and to 14 examine the curriculum, textbooks, ((curriculum)) instructional 15 materials, and supplemental ((material)) instructional materials used 16 in their child's classroom in accordance with policies and 17 procedures; 18 (b)(i) To inspect and review their child's ((public school )) 19 education records ((in accordance with RCW 28A.605.030,)) and to 20 request and receive a copy of their child's education records within 21 ((10 business days of submitting a written request, either 22 electronically or on paper )) a reasonable period of time, but not 23 more than 45 days, of submitting a request in accordance with the 24 federal family educational rights and privacy act of 1974, Title 20 25 U.S.C.
ADOPTED AND ENGROSSED

Plain English: 5181-S.E AMH ENGR H2105.E ESSB 5181 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Education ADOPTED AND ENGROSSED 04/14/2025 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.

  • 5181-S.E AMH ENGR H2105.E ESSB 5181 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Education ADOPTED AND ENGROSSED 04/14/2025 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.
  • 1.
  • RCW 28A.605.005 and 2024 c 4 s 1 are each amended to 3 read as follows: 4 (1) The legislature finds that: (a) Parents are the primary 5 stakeholders in their children's upbringing; (b) parental involvement 6 is a significant factor in increasing student achievement; and (c) 7 access to student information encourages greater parental 8 involvement.
  • 9 (2) Parents and legal guardians of ((public school children 10 younger than 18 years old have all of )) children enrolled in public 11 schools as defined in RCW 28A.150.010 have the following rights:12 (a) To access their child's classroom and school-sponsored 13 activities to observe in accordance with RCW 28A.605.020 and to 14 examine the curriculum, textbooks, ((curriculum)) instructional 15 materials, and supplemental ((material)) instructional materials used 16 in their child's classroom in accordance with policies and 17 procedures; 18 (b)(i) To inspect their child's public school records in 19 accordance with RCW 28A.605.030, and to receive a copy of their 20 child's records within 10 business days of submitting a written 21 request, either electronically or on paper.
NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 492 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH VOLZ MOET 492 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1153 By Representative Volz NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 4, line 14 of the striking amendment, after "(h)" insert "To have their biologically female student, in accordance with RCW 28A.640.020, compete in individual and team athletic activities in a safe, fair, and equitable manner exclusively against other biologically female students; (i)" Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7, after line 8 of the striking amendment, insert the following: "Sec.
  • 2.
5181-S.E AMH COUT MOET 491

1154 • Couture

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 491 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH COUT MOET 491 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1154 By Representative Couture NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 6, line 25 of the striking amendment, after "(v)" insert "To be notified, in accordance with RCW 28A.225.005, whether and under what circumstances students may excuse an absence and of the policies governing absences that may be excused by anyone other than the student's parent or legal guardian; (w)" Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7 of the striking amendment, after line 8, insert the following: "Sec.
  • 2.
5181-S.E AMH JACO MOET 490

1155 • Jacobsen

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 490 1 - Official Print EFFECT: (1) Restores provisions granting parents and guardians the right to receive immediate notification if their child is taken or removed from the public school campus without parental permission, including to stay at a youth shelter or host home.
  • (2) Removes a proposed parental and guardian right to not have their child removed from school grounds or buildings during school hours without authorization of a parent or legal guardian according to state law governing the removal of children from school grounds during school hours.
  • 5181-S.E AMH JACO MOET 490 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1155 By Representative Jacobsen NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 35 of the striking amendment, after "To" strike all material through "(i)" on line 39 and insert "receive immediate notification if their child is taken or removed from the public school campus without parental permission, including to stay at a youth shelter or "host home" as defined in RCW 74.15.020; (((i)" On page 4, beginning on line 2 of the striking amendment, beginning with "not" strike all material through "28A.605.010." on line 4 --- END
NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 489 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Removes the limitation that the right to receive written notice and the option to opt a child out of surveys, analysis, and evaluations that reveal information concerning one or more of eight specified topics must be in accordance with the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.
  • 5181-S.E AMH WALJ MOET 489 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1156 By Representative Walsh NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 4, beginning on line 14 of the striking amendment, beginning with "(((j) To))" strike all material through "to" on line 15 and insert "(((j))) (h) To" --- END
5181-S.E AMH KEAT MOET 487

1157 • Keaton

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 487 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH KEAT MOET 487 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1157 By Representative Keaton NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 1, at the beginning of line 3 of the striking amendment, insert the following: "NEW SECTION.
  • Sec.
  • 1.
5181-S.E AMH DUFA MOET 486

1158 • Dufault

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 486 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Removes provisions specifying that the delineated list of rights for parents and legal guardians of children in public school do not create a private right of action.
  • 5181-S.E AMH DUFA MOET 486 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1158 By Representative Dufault NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 6 of the striking amendment, beginning with "(4)" strike all material through "action." on line 8 and insert "(((4) As used in this section "public school" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010.))" --- END
5181-S.E AMH ORCU MOET 485

1159 • Orcutt

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 485 1 - Official Print EFFECT: (1) Removes the emergency clause.
  • (2) Makes the bill a referendum bill and directs the Secretary of State to submit the bill to the people for their adoption and ratification, or rejection, at the next general election held in the state.
  • 5181-S.E AMH ORCU MOET 485 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1159 By Representative Orcutt NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 21 of the striking amendment, after "Sec.
5181-S.E AMH ENGE MOET 484

1160 • Engell

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 484 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Removes the emergency clause.
  • 5181-S.E AMH ENGE MOET 484 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1160 By Representative Engell NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 21 of the striking amendment, strike all of section 3 --- END
5181-S.E AMH CONN MOET 483

1161 • Connors

ADOPTED

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 5181-S.E AMH ....

  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 483 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Restores provisions granting parents and guardians the right to receive a copy of their child's public school records within 10 business days of submitting a written request (instead of within a reasonable period of time, but not more than 45 days).
  • 5181-S.E AMH CONN MOET 483 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1161 By Representative Connors ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 1, beginning on line 19 of the striking amendment, after "inspect" strike all material through "28A.605.030" on line 27 and insert "their child's public school records in accordance with RCW 28A.605.030, and to receive a copy of their child's records within 10 business days of submitting a written request, either electronically or on paper" --- END
5181-S.E AMH BARN MOET 482

1162 • Barnard

NOT ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 482 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Provides that education records for children 12 years old and under include, to the extent permitted by federal law, medical and health records, and records of any mental health counseling.
  • 5181-S.E AMH BARN MOET 482 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1162 By Representative Barnard NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 2, line 34 of the striking amendment, after "programs" insert ".
  • Education records also include, for children 12 years old and under and to the extent permitted by federal law, medical and health records, and records of any mental health counseling" --- END
5181-S.E AMH JACO MOET 481

1163 • Jacobsen

NOT ADOPTED

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 5181-S.E AMH ....

  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 481 1 - Official Print EFFECT: (1) Restores, with modifications, parental and legal guardian rights pertaining to: (a) receiving prior notification when medical services are being offered to their child; (b) receiving notification when any medical service or medications have been provided to their child that could result in any financial impact to 5181-S.E AMH JACO MOET 481 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1163 By Representative Jacobsen NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 4 of the striking amendment, after "(c)" strike all material through "(f)))" on line 18 and insert "To receive, for children 12 years old and under and to the extent permitted by federal law, prior notification when medical services are being offered to their child, except where emergency medical treatment is required.
  • In cases where emergency medical treatment is required, the parent and legal guardian must be notified as soon as practicable after the treatment is rendered; (d) To receive, for children 12 years old and under and to the extent permitted by federal law, notification when any medical service or medications have been provided to their child that could result in any financial impact to the parent's or legal guardian's health insurance payments or copays; (e) To receive, for children 12 years old and under and to the extent permitted by federal law, notification when the school has arranged directly or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow-up care beyond normal school hours.
  • Follow-up care includes monitoring the child for aches and pains, medications, medical devices such as crutches, and emotional care needed for the healing process; (f)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
5181-S.E AMH MARS WARG 234

1164 • Marshall

ADOPTED

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  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • WARG 234 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH MARS WARG 234 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1164 By Representative Marshall ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 3, line 18 of the striking amendment, after "(f)))" insert "To receive annual notice, as required by RCW 28A.300.286, that clearly identifies any medical service, mental health counseling, or behavioral health treatment that is made available to students, whether in person or via telemedicine, without the prior consent of the student's parent or legal guardian.
  • This requirement applies to all such services provided on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a school district; (d)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7, after line 20 of the striking amendment, insert the following: "Sec.
5181-S.E AMH CALD MOET 495

1165 • Valdez

NOT ADOPTED

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 5181-S.E AMH ....

  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 495 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH CALD MOET 495 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1165 By Representative Caldier NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 5, line 10 of the striking amendment, after "(j)" insert "To have their child, in accordance with RCW 28A.150.230, receive an education in an academic environment that is free from pornography and sexually explicit or erotic materials; (k)" Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7, after line 8 of the striking amendment, insert the following: "Sec.
  • 2.
5181-S.E AMH GRAH MOET 494

1166 • Graham

NOT ADOPTED

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 5181-S.E AMH ....

  • 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 5181-S.E AMH ....
  • MOET 494 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH GRAH MOET 494 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1166 By Representative Graham NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 6, line 9 of the striking amendment, after "(q)" insert "To receive, in accordance with RCW 28A.600.477, a student safety plan for their child; (r)" Reletter the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7 of the striking amendment, after line 20 insert the following: "Sec.
  • 3.
5181-S.E AMH GRIF MOET 496

1168 • Griffey

NOT ADOPTED

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 5181-S.E AMH GRIF MOET 496 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH GRIF MOET 496 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1168 By Representative Griffey NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 4, line 14 of the striking amendment, after "(h)" insert "In accordance with RCW 28A.640.020, to have their child access sex segregated locker room facilities, including showers, that are consistent with their child's biological sex, rather than an individual or special accommodation facility or location made available for their child because of a concern or complaint of the child, parent, or legal guardian.

  • 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 5181-S.E AMH GRIF MOET 496 1 - Official Print 5181-S.E AMH GRIF MOET 496 ESSB 5181 - H AMD TO ED COMM AMD (H-2105.1/25) 1168 By Representative Griffey NOT ADOPTED 04/14/2025 On page 4, line 14 of the striking amendment, after "(h)" insert "In accordance with RCW 28A.640.020, to have their child access sex segregated locker room facilities, including showers, that are consistent with their child's biological sex, rather than an individual or special accommodation facility or location made available for their child because of a concern or complaint of the child, parent, or legal guardian.
  • (i)" Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
  • On page 7, after line 20 of the striking amendment, insert the following: "Sec.
  • 3.
5181-S AMS MUZZ S1131.3

1 • Muzzall

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS MUZZ S1131.3 SSB 5181 - S AMD 1 By Senator Muzzall NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 24, strike all material through 1 "Follow-up" on line 26 and insert the following: 2 "(e))) To receive notification when the school has arranged 3 directly or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow-4 up care beyond normal school hours((.

  • 5181-S AMS MUZZ S1131.3 SSB 5181 - S AMD 1 By Senator Muzzall NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 24, strike all material through 1 "Follow-up" on line 26 and insert the following: 2 "(e))) To receive notification when the school has arranged 3 directly or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow-4 up care beyond normal school hours((.
  • Follow-up" 5 On page 3, beginning on line 28, after " healing" strike all 6 material through "(f)))" on line 29 and insert "process));7 (((f))) (d)" 8 Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any 9 internal references accordingly.
  • 10 EFFECT: Restores provisions granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive notification when the school has arranged directly or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow- up care beyond normal school hours.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:akl 1 S-1131.3/25 3rd draft
5181-S AMS WAGO S1133.2

2 • Wagoner

ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS WAGO S1133.2 SSB 5181 - S AMD 2 By Senator Wagoner ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 37, after "receive" strike all 1 material through " hours" on line 38, and insert "immediate 2 notification" 3 EFFECT: Restores the provision granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive "immediate notification," rather than notification at the first opportunity and within 48 hours in all cases, if law enforcement personnel question their child during a custodial interrogation at the school during the school day, except in cases where the parent or legal guardian has been accused of abusing or neglecting the child.

  • 5181-S AMS WAGO S1133.2 SSB 5181 - S AMD 2 By Senator Wagoner ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 37, after "receive" strike all 1 material through " hours" on line 38, and insert "immediate 2 notification" 3 EFFECT: Restores the provision granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive "immediate notification," rather than notification at the first opportunity and within 48 hours in all cases, if law enforcement personnel question their child during a custodial interrogation at the school during the school day, except in cases where the parent or legal guardian has been accused of abusing or neglecting the child.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:jlb 1 S-1133.2/25 2nd draft
5181-S AMS WAGO S1132.1

3 • Wagoner

ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS WAGO S1132.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 3 By Senator Wagoner ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 29, after "receive" strike all 1 material through " information" on line 32 and insert "immediate 2 notification ((if a criminal action is deemed to have))"3 EFFECT: Restores the provision granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive "immediate notification," rather than notification at the first opportunity and within 48 hours of the school district or public receiving this information in all cases, if a criminal action has been committed against their child or their child has been detained on probable cause of involvement in criminal activity.

  • 5181-S AMS WAGO S1132.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 3 By Senator Wagoner ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 29, after "receive" strike all 1 material through " information" on line 32 and insert "immediate 2 notification ((if a criminal action is deemed to have))"3 EFFECT: Restores the provision granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive "immediate notification," rather than notification at the first opportunity and within 48 hours of the school district or public receiving this information in all cases, if a criminal action has been committed against their child or their child has been detained on probable cause of involvement in criminal activity.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:jlb 1 S-1132.1/25
5181-S AMS WARN S1130.1

4 • Warnick

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS WARN S1130.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 4 By Senator Warnick NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 15, after " (c)" strike all material 1 through " To" on line 20 and insert "To receive prior notification 2 when medical services are being offered to their child, except where 3 emergency medical treatment is required.

  • 5181-S AMS WARN S1130.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 4 By Senator Warnick NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, beginning on line 15, after " (c)" strike all material 1 through " To" on line 20 and insert "To receive prior notification 2 when medical services are being offered to their child, except where 3 emergency medical treatment is required.
  • In cases where emergency 4 medical treatment is required, the parent and legal guardian must be 5 notified as soon as practicable after the treatment is rendered;6 (d) ((To" 7 Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any 8 internal references accordingly.
  • 9 EFFECT: Restores provisions granting parents and legal guardians the right to receive prior notification when medical services are being offered to their child.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:jlb 1 S-1130.1/25
WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 5181-S AMS TORR S1134.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 5 By Senator Torres WITHDRAWN 02/05/2025 On page 4, line 12, after " 28A.605.010." insert " If a child is 1 taken or removed from the public school campus without parental 2 authorization for any reason, the parent or legal guardian must 3 receive immediate notification." 4 EFFECT: Adds that if a child is taken or removed from the public school campus without parental authorization for any reason, the parent or legal guardian must receive immediate notification.

  • 5181-S AMS TORR S1134.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 5 By Senator Torres WITHDRAWN 02/05/2025 On page 4, line 12, after " 28A.605.010." insert " If a child is 1 taken or removed from the public school campus without parental 2 authorization for any reason, the parent or legal guardian must 3 receive immediate notification." 4 EFFECT: Adds that if a child is taken or removed from the public school campus without parental authorization for any reason, the parent or legal guardian must receive immediate notification.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:jlb 1 S-1134.1/25
5181-S AMS CHRI S1128.1

6 • Christian

NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS CHRI S1128.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 6 By Senator Christian NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 13, strike all of section 21 SSB 5181 - S AMD 6 By Senator Christian NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 1, beginning on line 2 of the title, after "law;" strike 2 the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 28A.605.005."3 EFFECT: Removes the emergency clause.

  • 5181-S AMS CHRI S1128.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 6 By Senator Christian NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 13, strike all of section 21 SSB 5181 - S AMD 6 By Senator Christian NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 1, beginning on line 2 of the title, after "law;" strike 2 the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 28A.605.005."3 EFFECT: Removes the emergency clause.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:roy 1 S-1128.1/25
NOT ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS MCCU S1129.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 7 By Senator McCune NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 10, strike all material through 1 "action." on line 12 and insert the following: 2 "(((4) As used in this section "public school" has the same 3 meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010.))" 4 EFFECT: Removes a provision stating nothing in this section creates a private right of action.

  • 5181-S AMS MCCU S1129.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 7 By Senator McCune NOT ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 7, beginning on line 10, strike all material through 1 "action." on line 12 and insert the following: 2 "(((4) As used in this section "public school" has the same 3 meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010.))" 4 EFFECT: Removes a provision stating nothing in this section creates a private right of action.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:akl 1 S-1129.1/25
5181-S AMS CHRI S1136.1

8 • Christian

ADOPTED

Plain English: 5181-S AMS CHRI S1136.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 8 By Senator Christian ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, line 33, after " day" insert " , including immediate 1 notification if there has been a shooting on school property,"2 EFFECT: Provides that the right to receive notification that a criminal action has been committed against their child on school property during the school day includes immediate notification if there has been a shooting on school property.

  • 5181-S AMS CHRI S1136.1 SSB 5181 - S AMD 8 By Senator Christian ADOPTED 02/05/2025 On page 3, line 33, after " day" insert " , including immediate 1 notification if there has been a shooting on school property,"2 EFFECT: Provides that the right to receive notification that a criminal action has been committed against their child on school property during the school day includes immediate notification if there has been a shooting on school property.
  • END --- Code Rev/CC:akl 1 S-1136.1/25

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-05 Senate

    1st substitute bill substituted.

Official Summary Text

Parents rights in education

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to amending the parents rights initiative to 1
bring it into alignment with existing law; and amending RCW 2
28A.605.005. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 28A.605.005 and 2024 c 4 s 1 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
(1) The legislature finds that: (a) Parents are the primary 7
stakeholders in their children's upbringing; (b) parental involvement 8
is a significant factor in increasing student achievement; and (c) 9
access to student information encourages greater parental 10
involvement. 11
(2) Parents and legal guardians of ((public school children 12
younger than 18 years old have all of )) children enrolled in public 13
schools as defined in RCW 28A.150.010 have the following rights:14
(a) To access their child's classroom and school-sponsored 15
activities to observe in accordance with RCW 28A.605.020 and to 16
examine the curriculum, textbooks, ((curriculum)) instructional 17
materials, and supplemental ((material)) instructional materials used 18
in their child's classroom in accordance with school district 19
policies and procedures; 20
S-0199.4
SENATE BILL 5181
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators C. Wilson, Pedersen, Dhingra, Frame, Liias, Lovick,
Nobles, Stanford, Trudeau, and Wellman
Prefiled 01/08/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Early Learning & K-12 Education.
p. 1 SB 5181
(b)(i) To inspect their child's ((public school )) education 1
records in accordance with RCW 28A.605.030, and to request and 2
receive a copy of their child's education records ((within 10 3
business days of submitting a written request, either electronically 4
or on paper )) in accordance with the federal family educational 5
rights and privacy act of 1974, Title 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g, as in 6
effect on January 1, 2025, within a reasonable period of time.7
(ii) Parents or legal guardians must not be required to appear in 8
person for the purposes of requesting or validating a request for 9
their child's ((public school)) education records.10
(iii) No charge may be imposed on a parent or legal guardian to 11
((receive such records electronically )) inspect their child's 12
education records or for the costs of searching for or retrieving the 13
education records . Any charges for a ((paper)) copy of such records 14
must be reasonable ((and)), not prevent a parent, legal guardian, or 15
eligible child from exercising the right to inspect and review the 16
child's education records, and be set forth in the official policies 17
and procedures of the school district. 18
(iv) ((Public school records include all of the following:19
(A) Academic records including, but not limited to, test and 20
assessment scores in accordance with RCW 28A.230.195;21
(B) Medical or health records;22
(C) Records of any mental health counseling;23
(D) Records of any vocational counseling;24
(E) Records of discipline, including expulsions and suspensions 25
under RCW 28A.600.015;26
(F) Records of attendance, including unexcused absences in 27
accordance with RCW 28A.225.020;28
(G) Records associated with a child's screening for learning 29
challenges, exceptionalities, plans for an individualized education 30
program, or plan adopted under section 504 of the rehabilitation act 31
of 1973; and32
(H) Any other student-specific files, documents, or other 33
materials that are maintained by the public school )) Education 34
records means those official records, files, and data directly 35
related to a student and maintained by the school including, but not 36
limited to, records encompassing all the material kept in the child's 37
cumulative folder, such as general identifying data, records of 38
attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and 39
p. 2 SB 5181
results of evaluative tests, disciplinary status, test protocols, and 1
individualized education programs; 2
(v) Education records do not include records that are kept in the 3
sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, 4
and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a 5
temporary substitute for the maker of the record;6
(vi) Nothing in this section changes the access and disclosure 7
provisions established in chapter 70.02 RCW related to health care 8
information; 9
(c) ((To receive prior notification when medical services are 10
being offered to their child, except where emergency medical 11
treatment is required. In cases where emergency medical treatment is 12
required, the parent and legal guardian must be notified as soon as 13
practicable after the treatment is rendered;14
(d) To receive notification when any medical service or 15
medications have been provided to their child that could result in 16
any financial impact to the parent's or legal guardian's health 17
insurance payments or copays;18
(e) To receive notification when the school has arranged directly 19
or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow-up care 20
beyond normal school hours. Follow-up care includes monitoring the 21
child for aches and pains, medications, medical devices such as 22
crutches, and emotional care needed for the healing process;23
(f))) To receive ((immediate)) notification ((if a criminal 24
action is deemed to have )) within a reasonable amount of time, but no 25
later than 72 hours, of the school district receiving information 26
that a criminal action has been committed against their child ((or by 27
their child)) on school property during the school day or their child 28
has been detained based on probable cause of involvement in criminal 29
activity on school property during the school day;30
(((g))) (d) To receive ((immediate)) notification within a 31
reasonable amount of time, but no later than 72 hours, if law 32
enforcement personnel question their child during a custodial 33
interrogation at the school during the school day , except in cases 34
where the parent or legal guardian has been accused of abusing or 35
neglecting the child; 36
(((h))) (e) To receive ((immediate notification if their child is 37
taken or removed from the public school campus without parental 38
permission, including to stay at a youth shelter or "host home" as 39
defined in RCW 74.15.020)) notification within a reasonable amount of 40
p. 3 SB 5181
time, but no later than 72 hours, if their child is removed from any 1
school grounds or building thereon during school hours, pursuant to 2
the policies established and required by RCW 28A.605.010, except 3
where the provisions of RCW 74.15.020, 13.32A.082, 26.44.050, or 4
26.44.115 apply, in which case the notice provisions related to those 5
statutes govern; 6
(((i))) (f) To receive assurance their child's public school will 7
not discriminate against their child based ((upon the sincerely held 8
religious beliefs of the child's family in accordance with chapter )) 9
on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, 10
honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation 11
including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, 12
mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or 13
service animal by a person with a disability in accordance with 14
chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW; 15
(((j) To)) (g) In accordance with the protection of pupil rights, 16
Title 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232h, the right to receive written notice and 17
the option to opt their child out of any ((surveys, assignments, 18
questionnaires, role-playing activities, recordings of their child, 19
or other student engagements that include questions about any of the 20
following:21
(i) The child's sexual experiences or attractions;22
(ii) The child's family beliefs, morality, religion, or political 23
affiliations;24
(iii) Any mental health or psychological problems of the child or 25
a family member; and26
(iv) All surveys, analyses, and evaluations subject to areas 27
covered by the protection of pupil rights amendment of the family 28
educational rights and privacy act )) survey, analysis, or evaluation 29
that reveals information concerning:30
(i) Political affiliations or beliefs of the child or the child's 31
parent or legal guardian;32
(ii) Mental or psychological problems of the child or the child's 33
family;34
(iii) Sex behavior and attitudes;35
(iv) Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating or demeaning 36
behavior;37
(v) Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom 38
respondents have close family relationships;39
p. 4 SB 5181
(vi) Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, 1
such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;2
(vii) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the child 3
or child's parent or legal guardian; or4
(viii) Income, other than that required by law to determine 5
eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial 6
assistance under such program; 7
(((k))) (h) To receive written notice and have the option to opt 8
their child out of ((instruction on topics associated with sexual 9
activity)) comprehensive sexual health education in accordance with 10
RCW 28A.300.475; 11
(((l))) (i) To receive from the public school the annual school 12
calendar, no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the school 13
year, and to be notified in writing as soon as feasible of any 14
revisions to such calendar. Such calendar must be posted to the 15
public school's website and must include, at a minimum, student 16
attendance days and any event that requires parent or student 17
attendance outside of normal school days or hours;18
(((m))) (j) To receive in writing each year or to view on the 19
public school's website a comprehensive listing of any required fee 20
and its purpose and use and a description of how economic hardships 21
may be addressed; 22
(((n))) (k) To receive in writing each year or to view on the 23
school's website a description of the school's required dress code or 24
uniform established pursuant to the policies established and allowed 25
by RCW 28A.320.140, if applicable, for students; and26
(((o))) (l) To be informed if their child's academic 27
((performance, including whether their child is provided a student 28
learning plan under RCW 28A.655.270)) progress, including the right 29
to receive periodic reports on their child's educational growth and 30
development in accordance with RCW 28A.150.240 and to receive notice 31
of their child's performance on state learning standards tests and 32
assessments in accordance with RCW 28A.230.195, and whether the 33
performance, is such that it could threaten the child's ability to be 34
promoted to the next grade level ((and to be offered )). A parent or 35
legal guardian also has the right to request an in-person meeting 36
with the child's classroom teacher and principal to discuss any 37
resources or strategies available to support and encourage the 38
child's academic improvement. 39
p. 5 SB 5181
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a public school 1
shall not be required to release any records or information regarding 2
a student's ((medical or health records or mental health counseling )) 3
health care, social work, counseling, or disciplinary records to a 4
parent or legal guardian who is the defendant in a criminal 5
proceeding where the student is the named victim or during the 6
pendency of an investigation of child abuse or neglect conducted by 7
any law enforcement agency or the department of children, youth, and 8
families where the parent or legal guardian is the target of the 9
investigation, unless the parent or legal guardian has obtained a 10
court order. 11
(4) ((As used in this section "public school" has the same 12
meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010)) Nothing in this section creates a 13
private right of action. 14
--- END ---
p. 6 SB 5181