SB 5956 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.

SB 5956 prohibits Washington public schools from using artificial intelligence (AI) or surveillance technologies to make or solely determine student discipline decisions, such as suspensions or expulsions. It bans "risk scores" predicting student misconduct, biometric tracking for emotional/mental health analysis, and automated watchlists, requiring human review for any discipline action involving AI or surveillance data. The law directly affects all K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and tribal education programs in Washington, mandating updates to policies to prevent discriminatory impacts on students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students. It also restricts sharing student data with law enforcement except in emergencies involving imminent serious physical harm.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 31, 2025 Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from a Senate Bill to a Substitute Bill, which includes procedural changes such as a new sponsor group, a revised reading date, and a change in the bill number. The substantive policy text regarding AI restrictions in schools remains identical to the original version.
TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from S-3708.1 to S-4157.2.

The sponsor list was updated to include the 'Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education' committee as the primary sponsor group.

The first reading date was updated from 01/12/26 to 01/23/26.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

3713
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 10, 2026
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
6 Yea 13 Nay 1
65% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
9
Committee
9
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 4:00 PM.
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (37-13-1)
senate
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors