HB 1279 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Providing postsecondary education consumer protections.

HB 1279 enhances consumer protections for students residing in Washington state who are pursuing postsecondary education, especially those enrolled in distance or online learning programs. The bill ensures that Washington's student consumer protection laws apply to all its residents, even if they attend institutions participating in interstate reciprocity agreements. Beginning July 1, 2028, any such agreements must not reduce existing consumer protections, the state's authority to investigate complaints, or financial surety requirements for institutions. It also mandates that these agreements require institutions to disclose information about financial instability, federal aid eligibility, or accreditation issues to students and the state council.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Signed Apr 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Bill → Passed Legislature · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was updated to include a formal Certification of Enrollment, which officially certifies that the bill has been passed by both the House and Senate with specific vote counts and dates. This addition serves as a procedural formality to validate the bill's passage and prepare it for the Governor's signature, rather than changing the bill's substantive policy or legal requirements.

TECHNICAL

Added a Certification of Enrollment page containing signatures from the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, along with vote tallies (94-0 for House, 48-0 for Senate) and dates of passage.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 11, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

50–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Apr 11, 2025

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

19 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 21, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

WM - Majority; do pass.

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

HEWD - Majority; do pass.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

PEW - Majority; do pass.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors