SB 5181 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Senate Bill 5181 amends an existing parents' rights initiative in Washington state, affecting parents and legal guardians of public school students. The bill modifies parental access to student education records, aligning response times with federal law, and removes requirements for schools to notify parents about medical services or medications provided to their child. It also adjusts the timeline and scope for notifying parents about criminal actions involving their child on school property or questioning by law enforcement. Additionally, the bill narrows the types of surveys and activities from which parents can opt their children out, aligning with federal protection of pupil rights.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Engrossed Substitute Bill · 3 edits · Feb 5, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reclassified from a 'Substitute' to an 'Engrossed Substitute' version, indicating it has passed the Senate and is ready for the House. Substantive changes include clarifying notification requirements for criminal incidents on school property, specifically adding a mandate for immediate notification if a shooting occurs. The section regarding law enforcement interrogations was also updated to remove a specific exception for parents accused of abuse or neglect, broadening the scope of situations requiring notification.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding notification timelines was narrowed for criminal actions (requiring immediate notice for shootings) and broadened for interrogations (removing an exemption for accused parents).

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement for immediate notification if a shooting occurs on school property.

Removed an exception that previously allowed schools to delay notification if a parent was accused of abusing or neglecting their child during a law enforcement interrogation.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title from 'Substitute' to 'Engrossed Substitute' to reflect its legislative status.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2025 · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

32–19

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 5, 2025

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

1 Yea 19 Nay

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

lower

Apr 14, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (58-39-3)

house

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM.

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM.

upper

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors