Military families/education

AN ACT Relating to promoting educational stability for children 1
of military families; and amending RCW 28A.225.216.2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 28A.225.216 and 2019 c 72 s 1 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1)(a) A child of a military family complies with the residency 6
requirements for enrollment in a school district if a parent of the 7
child is transferred to, or is pending transfer to, a military 8
installation within the state ((while on active duty )) or bordering 9
state, or the military family is transferring due to a military 10
exigency requiring relocation, pursuant to official military orders.11
(b) A parent of the child must provide proof of official military 12
orders or documentation by their military commander of the directed 13
move.14
(c) A parent of the child must provide to the school district 15
proof of residence in the school district within ((fourteen)) 90 16
calendar days of ((the arrival date provided on official military 17
documentation)) enrollment. The parent may use the address of any of 18
the following as proof of residence in the school district:19
S-4175.1
SENATE BILL 6277
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Krishnadasan, Conway, Nobles, Wagoner, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/22/26. Referred to Committee on Early Learning &
K-12 Education.
p. 1 SB 6277
(i) A temporary ((on-base billeting facility)) lodging within the 1
school district where the military family is expecting to obtain 2
permanent housing; 3
(ii) A purchased or leased residence, or a signed purchase and 4
sale agreement or lease agreement for a residence; or5
(iii) Any federal government housing or off-base military 6
housing, including off -base military housing that may be provided 7
through a public-private venture. 8
(2) A school district shall accept, on a conditional basis, an 9
application for enrollment and course registration, including 10
enrollment in a specific school or program within the school 11
district, prior to the military family arriving in the state, by 12
electronic or other means for children of military families who meet 13
the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section. Upon 14
satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this 15
section, the school district shall finalize the enrollment of 16
children of military families. 17
(3) If the enrolling child of a military family is transferring 18
with an individualized education program or plan developed under 19
section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, the school district 20
shall take the necessary steps to accept the transfer of records and 21
any prior evaluations. Upon enrollment, the school district shall 22
ensure that the child of a military family receives the appropriate 23
services and accommodations, consistent with the child of a military 24
family's existing individualized education program or section 504 25
plan without unreasonable delay. If a reevaluation is deemed 26
necessary, the reevaluation must occur within 30 calendar days after 27
the date of arrival, subject to the informed parental consent of the 28
parent.29
(4) Nonresident school districts are not required to provide 30
transportation to and from the school unless otherwise required by 31
state or federal law.32
(5) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this 33
section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.34
(a) "Active duty" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.705.010.35
(b) "Child of a military family" and "children of military 36
families" have the same meaning as "children of military families" in 37
RCW 28A.705.010. 38
(c) "Military installation" has the same meaning as in RCW 39
28A.705.010. 40
p. 2 SB 6277
(d) "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person or entity 1
having legal custody of a child of a military family.2
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p. 3 SB 6277