Education (Special Education)

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5654: Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.

SB 5654 prohibits public schools in Washington from using physical restraint, isolation (seclusion), or chemical restraint solely for discipline or staff convenience. It requires schools to use functional behavioral assessments and individualized plans before applying restrictive interventions, and mandates intensive crisis training for staff. The bill defines "isolation" as involuntary separation from others (excluding brief, student-selected calm-down times or emergencies), and bans practices that cause emotional harm. It directly affects all public K-12 students, particularly those with behavioral needs, by requiring schools to prioritize safety and evidence-based strategies. The law also strengthens accountability through reporting requirements for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits harmful restraint/isolation practices, mandates safety training, and protects student welfare in K-12 schools - directly advancing student safety within education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Special Education

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 5253: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends special education services until age 22, strengthening access for students with disabilities and complying with federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5187: Providing adequate and predictable student transportation.

This bill changes how Washington school districts receive funding for student transportation. It requires the state to collect detailed data on transportation costs by student group - including special education, homeless students, foster care youth, and those at skill centers - and develop a new funding model by 2028. The bill specifically creates a $400 flat-rate payment per homeless student for transportation costs, based on reports submitted under existing rules. It aims to address current funding gaps that leave rural districts, urban districts, and vulnerable student populations underfunded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $400 flat-rate payment for homeless student transportation funding and requires new state funding model, increasing targeted public service budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates $400 flat-rate transportation funding for homeless students and mandates data-driven funding model to improve access for vulnerable groups, directly advancing educational access.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates new funding model with $400 flat-rate for homeless student transportation, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding for specific student groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Special Education Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5307: Concerning special education funding.

SB 5307 eliminates Washington's cap on students eligible for state special education funding, ensuring all public school districts receive full state support without needing local funds to cover costs. It increases per-student funding multipliers based on inclusion rates: districts serving students in general education settings 80%+ of the day receive a higher multiplier (1.5289) versus those with lower inclusion (1.447). The bill also requires the state to monitor inclusion rates, reduce disproportionate identification of students with disabilities, and provide technical assistance to school districts. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington serving students with special education needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates cap on special education funding, increasing state appropriations for all districts without local cost-sharing, directly advancing public education budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEliminates special education funding cap, increases state support without local cost burden, and raises funding multipliers for higher inclusion rates in general education settings.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1267: Adjusting funded special education enrollment.

HB 1267 adjusts how Washington school districts receive state funding for special education programs. It gradually increases the "funded enrollment limit" (the percentage of students eligible for special education that districts can count for full funding) from 16% in 2024-25 to 17% by 2026-27. The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to monitor districts for potential over-identification of students for special education services, and mandates corrective action plans and state auditor audits if districts exceed the limit. This directly affects school districts and charter schools with special education enrollment percentages above the phased-in limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for special education by raising enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding eligibility by raising the enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly expanding state resources for K-12 special education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Funding Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1241: Improving access to and provision of a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities.

HB 1241 requires Washington school districts to improve transparency and timeliness in special education evaluations for students with disabilities. It mandates that districts provide parents with clear, translated information about evaluation processes and timelines (including a 22-day decision window after referrals and a 60-day evaluation window after consent), track and publicly report processing times by disability category, and use standardized templates for parent communications. The bill also ensures parents receive language-accessible materials and quarterly service reports for quantifiable special education services, while prohibiting multitiered systems from delaying evaluations. These changes directly affect students with disabilities, their families, and school districts across Washington State.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparency and timelines for special education evaluations, enhancing access for students with disabilities through clearer parent communication and tracking.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1310: Concerning special education funding.

HB 1310 eliminates the enrollment cap on students eligible for state special education funding in Washington, directly affecting all public school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases funding multipliers for districts serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings (80%+ time in general education), raising the multiplier from 1.12 to 1.5289 for those students, while lowering it to 1.447 for less inclusive placements. It also requires the state superintendent to monitor racial disproportionality in special education identification and provide technical assistance to districts. These changes aim to ensure equitable state funding without requiring local district contributions and support inclusive educational practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding multipliers for inclusive special education programs, directly expanding budget allocations for public schools serving students with disabilities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEliminates enrollment cap and increases funding multipliers for inclusive special education settings, directly advancing student access and funding for districts serving students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1357: Providing special education funding and support for inclusionary practices.

HB 1357 (Washington State) updates special education funding to incentivize inclusive classrooms. It revises the funding formula so school districts receive higher per-student allocations (1.18 multiplier) for students with disabilities spending 80%+ of their day in general education settings, versus a lower rate (1.09) for less inclusive placements. The bill also creates a grant program for up to 20 "pilot schools" to become centers of excellence in inclusionary practices, requiring demonstrated leadership commitment, staff training plans, and data on current inclusion efforts. These schools would receive funding to reach a 1.5 inclusion multiplier over four years. The bill directly affects school districts and students with disabilities in Washington state, focusing on concrete funding changes and support mechanisms to promote inclusive education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises funding formula to increase per-student allocations for inclusive special education, directly advancing public education budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding for inclusive classrooms via higher per-student rates (1.18 vs 1.09) and creates inclusion pilot grants, directly advancing inclusionary practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1257: Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

HB 1257 extends special education services for students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which they turn 22, instead of ending at age 21. This change directly affects students with disabilities aged 16-22 who require transition planning to move from school to postsecondary life. The bill amends state education statutes to align with a federal court ruling finding Washington’s prior policy violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It also requires state agencies to update transition planning by October 2026, ensuring services supplement rather than replace other support programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends special education services until age 22 to comply with IDEA, protecting student access and transition planning for disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1579: Providing adequate and predictable student transportation.

HB 1579 requires Washington school districts to report detailed transportation data for specific student groups, including those with special education needs, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or attending skill centers. It mandates the state superintendent to develop a new funding model by 2028 that addresses unique challenges in rural and urban districts, and establishes a $400 flat rate per homeless student for transportation costs. The bill directly affects school districts and the students in these four priority groups by changing how transportation funding is calculated and reported. Districts must submit quarterly reports on mileage, ridership, and costs, with funds for homeless students limited to their specific transportation needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes $400 flat rate per homeless student for transportation costs and mandates new state funding model development, directly allocating public funds for student transportation services.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new funding model for transportation, establishes $400 flat rate for homeless students, and requires data reporting to address access for vulnerable student groups in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes $400 flat rate for homeless student transportation and mandates new funding model addressing district transportation needs, directly funding student transportation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Special Education Transportation Funding

Track