Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.
Senate Bill 5193 supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs in Washington state, directly affecting these students, their families, and participating school districts. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts with online programs may offer students the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely. To implement this, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must develop or update assessment administration and security policies by April 1, 2027. These policies will cover requirements for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environments, device and network specifications, and parental consent. The bill aims to reduce burdens on families and ensure equitable access to assessments for online learners.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from S-0397.1 to S-0699.1 and updated to reflect its status as a substitute bill. The primary substantive change is a one-year delay in the implementation timeline, moving the start date for remote testing options from the 2026-27 school year to the 2027-28 school year. Additionally, the deadline for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to finalize necessary security policies was extended from April 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it still applies to school districts with online school programs in Washington state.
TIMELINE
The effective date for allowing remote testing for online school students was delayed from the 2026-27 school year to the 2027-28 school year.
The deadline for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop or update remote testing security policies was extended from April 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025
How they voted
51–0
Passed
Total votes 51
Mar 6, 2025
D
Democratic31
100% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 8:00 AM.
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM.
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (51-0)
senate
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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