SB 5253 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

Senate Bill 5253 extends the eligibility for special education services for students with disabilities in Washington state. Under this bill, services will now continue until the end of the school year in which a student turns 22, rather than 21. This change addresses a federal court ruling that found the state's previous age-out policy violated federal law. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to update an implementation plan by October 2026 to improve transition planning for students with disabilities moving to post-school life.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill extends the right to free public education for students with disabilities from age 21 to age 22, ensuring they remain enrolled until the end of the school year in which they turn 22. It updates multiple sections of the education code to reflect this age extension and clarifies that existing rules for younger students continue to apply to these older students with disabilities.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of mandatory public education eligibility for students with disabilities, extending coverage to include the 22nd year of life.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended the age limit for free public education for students with disabilities from age 21 to age 22, specifically covering the school year in which they turn 22.

Updated the requirement for school districts to provide basic education programs to students with disabilities, ensuring accessibility until the end of the school year in which they turn 22.

Clarified that transfer and release appeal procedures applicable to students under 21 must also apply to students with disabilities aged 21 through 22.

Extended the provision for free schools serving blind, deaf, or disabled residents to include students from age 3 through the end of the school year in which they turn 22.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 18, 2025 · House Apr 12, 2025

How they voted

49–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 51

Apr 18, 2025

D Democratic31

29 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

upper

Apr 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments.

upper

Apr 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

lower

Apr 12, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (95-1-4)

house

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

ED - Majority; do pass.

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 8:00 AM.

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 4:00 PM.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & K-12 Education.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.

upper

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors