Senate Bill 5240 allows public and private schools in Washington to maintain a supply of epinephrine, including autoinjectors, for use in emergencies. Licensed health professionals can prescribe this medication in the school's name, accompanied by a standing order for administration by school nurses or trained personnel. The bill clarifies that epinephrine can be administered to students experiencing anaphylaxis, even if they do not have a personal prescription on file, and extends its use to field trips and school buses. It also provides liability protection for those involved in prescribing and administering the medication.
HB 2534 (Promoting educational stability for children of military families) helps military-connected children enroll in Washington schools more smoothly when their families relocate due to military orders. It allows schools to accept enrollment applications before the child arrives in Washington, using military orders as proof of relocation (e.g., transfers to WA or bordering states, deployments), and requires parents to provide documentation within 90 days. The bill ensures schools transfer special education plans (like IEPs or 504 plans) from previous states and provide comparable services without delay. This directly affects military families moving to Washington and public school districts handling their enrollments.
HB 2557 requires Washington school districts to provide parents of children in special education with written evaluation reports at least five school days before eligibility meetings, ensuring they can review the reports and prepare questions in advance. The bill sets a 35-school-day timeline for completing evaluations and delivering reports, with meetings scheduled no sooner than five days after report delivery. It mandates reports be provided in accessible written or electronic formats (not just during meetings) and allows parents to voluntarily waive the five-day review period in writing. Failure to provide reports on time without a waiver constitutes a procedural violation that could be considered in disputes over parental participation rights. The law directly affects parents, school districts, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which must update guidance and rules to implement these requirements.
Senate Bill 5637 updates the mandatory one-half credit civics course for high school students in Washington state. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, this course will expand to include instruction on voter registration, media literacy related to elections and misinformation, and how individuals can influence public policy. The bill requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to identify and provide nonpartisan educational materials for these new topics by September 2025. OSPI will also review these resources every five years to ensure they remain relevant. This legislation aims to enhance students' critical thinking skills regarding information and civic engagement.
Senate Bill 5235 aims to update and streamline laws related to public schools in Washington State. It repeals several outdated statutes and reorganizes others to modernize the legal framework for education. The bill amends existing laws concerning how high schools can use funds for dropout prevention, updating accepted activities to align with current "high school and beyond plans." Additionally, it modifies provisions for school meal programs, allowing school facilities to provide meals at cost to children in certain private educational programs and private school students.
Senate Bill 5123 expands protections against discrimination for students in Washington public schools. The bill amends existing state law to prohibit discrimination based on additional categories, including ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, and neurodivergence. It also provides specific definitions for these new protected characteristics within the relevant chapter of state education code. This aims to promote inclusivity and ensure equity for all students in public schools.
SB 5797 enacts a new tax on certain financial intangible assets, such as stocks and bonds, in Washington State. The bill levies a tax of $0.34 for every $1,000 of true and fair value of these assets. It primarily affects individuals and artificial persons with over $50,000,000 in taxable financial intangible assets, while exempting retirement savings, college savings, and ownership interests in private companies. Revenues generated from this tax are dedicated to the education legacy trust account to support public schools, early learning, child care, and higher education.
SB 5570 aims to enhance public school instruction on tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes across Washington state. It strengthens the Office of Native Education within the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to assist school districts in developing and implementing this curriculum, including providing professional development. School districts must incorporate the "Since Time Immemorial" curriculum, consulting with local and neighboring tribes, by September 1, 2026. The bill also establishes annual monitoring by the State Board of Education to ensure school district compliance, with reports to the legislature until 2029.
SB 5327 directs the State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review and update learning standards and graduation requirements concerning computer science and financial education for K-12 students. The State Board of Education must recommend adjustments to high school graduation requirements to ensure students can demonstrate foundational skills in these subjects, considering various credit and competency options. Concurrently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will update K-12 computer science learning standards and review financial education standards. The bill also requires the State Board to collect information from school districts on their current offerings and implementation needs for these subjects, and clarifies that school districts must provide all high school students opportunities to access financial education learning standards.
SB 5663 allows Washington community and technical colleges to advertise their entirely online course offerings to potential students statewide, beyond their traditional district boundaries. Colleges can use various methods, including digital advertising and direct mail, to distribute information about these online courses. The bill also permits colleges to inform their local citizens about online programs offered exclusively by neighboring districts. However, it explicitly states that community and technical colleges are not allowed to compete with each other or other higher education institutions for student enrollment.
