Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.

Changed the obligation for the Superintendent's office to consult with partners from optional ('may') to mandatory ('must').

Expanded the list of required partners for wellness initiatives to explicitly include parent advocacy groups.

Updated the bill title designation from 'Third Substitute' to 'Engrossed Third Substitute'.

Changed the requirement for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to consult with community partners when developing a behavioral health framework from 'must' to 'may', making the consultation process optional rather than mandatory.

The date the bill was read for the first time was updated from January 26, 2026, to February 9, 2026.

The committee responsible for the bill changed from House Education to House Appropriations, which may alter the bill's funding trajectory and legislative priorities.

The bill session year was updated from the 2025 Regular Session to the 2026 Regular Session, and the 'Read First Time' date was changed from February 21, 2025, to January 26, 2026.

A new requirement was added for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to report progress on the new framework to the legislature by November 1, 2027.

New legislative findings were added to explicitly state that the current behavioral health system is fragmented and to reference the 'Washington Thriving' strategic plan adopted in November 2025.

A new section was created to establish a technical assistance and training framework that coordinates behavioral health services, requiring collaboration between the Superintendent of Public Instruction, educational service districts, and various community partners.

The original text detailing specific duties of regional school safety centers was removed and replaced with the new framework requirements, though some original duties regarding behavioral health coordination remain referenced in the new text.

Added explicit requirements for regional school safety centers to provide behavioral health coordination, including suicide prevention training and assistance with Medicaid billing.

Mandated that all technical assistance, resources, and training provided by the network must be culturally responsive and require consultation with tribal leaders.

Added a specific requirement for the network to contract with organizations capable of providing behavioral telehealth services to students.

Expanded the list of eligible network partners to explicitly include federally recognized tribes and associations representing behavioral health professionals.

Changed the legislative action from adding a new section to amending existing RCW sections regarding school safety.