SB 5961 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Transferring the imagination library program from the department of children, youth, and families to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

SB 5961 transfers Washington's Imagination Library program - providing free monthly books to children from birth to age five - from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill requires the new administrator (a Washington-based nonprofit) to manage program operations, establish local affiliate programs, and partner with a national foundation to deliver books at no cost to families. Funding will come from a 50% payment by the nonprofit to the national foundation and the remaining cost from affiliate programs, with the Superintendent allowed to seek private donations. This change affects eligible children, local affiliates, and the nonprofit managing the program, streamlining oversight under education leadership.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to broaden its scope from a single 'imagination library' program to include all 'early literacy programs' and added a new section requiring a contract with a nonprofit experienced in promoting literacy through pediatric office visits. The text was also updated to reflect the bill's progression from the Senate floor, changing the reading date to January 22, 2026, and adding the committee sponsor designation.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded from the specific 'imagination library of Washington' program to a broader category of 'early literacy programs,' and a new requirement was added to contract with a specific type of nonprofit entity.
SCOPE

The title and first section were changed to refer to 'early literacy programs' instead of the specific 'imagination library program.'

REQUIREMENT

A new Section 3 was added requiring the Superintendent of Public Instruction to contract with a nonprofit entity experienced in promoting early literacy during pediatric office visits.

TECHNICAL

The header was updated to show the bill was read first time on 01/22/26 and referred to the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 16, 2026

How they voted

3417
Passed
Total votes 51
Feb 16, 2026
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
3 Yea 17 Nay
85% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
10
Committee
11
Feb 16, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-17)
senate
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & K-12 Education.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors