Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1618: Expanding access to college in the high school to private school students.

HB 1618 expands Washington State's existing "College in the High School" program to include students attending state-approved private high schools. The bill requires institutions of higher education to offer dual-credit courses at no cost to 9th-12th grade students in both public and qualifying private schools, with private school participation now explicitly included in the program's definition. Key provisions mandate that private schools must be state-approved, require schools to award high school credit for successful completion, and ensure no fees for students enrolling in these courses. This change directly affects private school students seeking college credit while still in high school, aligning their access with public school peers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual-credit access to private school students, mandating no-cost courses and state-approved participation, directly increasing educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

Track

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1486: Adding a student member to the state board for community and technical colleges.

House Bill 1486 adds a student member to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, increasing its total membership from nine to ten. This change ensures that a student currently enrolled in a community or technical college will have a voice in the board's decisions. The student member will serve a one-year term and must be at least 18 years old. They will participate in discussions and policy development, though they will be excluded from voting on matters related to hiring, discipline, personnel, or pending litigation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds student representation to college board, enhancing student voice in policy decisions affecting higher education access and governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5752: Modifying child care and early childhood development programs.

Senate Bill 5752 modifies child care and early childhood development programs for families and young children in Washington State. It extends the full statewide implementation timeline for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) from the 2026-27 school year to the 2030-31 school year. The bill also revises ECEAP eligibility criteria, removing basic food benefits as a standalone qualifier and adding eligibility for Indian children at or below 100% of the state median income. Additionally, it updates the "birth to three" ECEAP pilot project by making its funding subject to appropriation and clarifying eligibility for children under 36 months from low-income families or those receiving basic food benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands ECEAP eligibility to include Indian children and removes barriers, increasing access to early childhood education programs, a core education access component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5352: Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.

SB 5352 ensures all Washington public school students can receive free meals daily upon request, removing previous income-based eligibility requirements. The bill directly affects every student in state public schools who seeks a meal, eliminating the need for families to qualify through income verification. Key provisions amend school funding laws to require districts to provide free meals to all requesting students, aligning with the legislature's finding that hunger should not hinder academic success. This policy change shifts meal access from a means-tested program to universal availability within public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates universal school meal funding, increasing state expenditure on public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves income barriers for school meals, ensuring all students access free meals without verification. Expands educational access and aligns with school funding requirements to support student well-being and learning.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides universal school meals addressing food insecurity, a public health concern, improving student health access and aligning with public health goals to prevent hunger-related health barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1590: Supporting student success through instruction in self-resiliency skills.

HB 1590 requires Washington public schools to teach self-resiliency skills - including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and problem-solving - through research-based, culturally sustaining curricula aligned with existing learning standards. The bill allocates annual state funding (2025-2030) to prioritize high-poverty schools and those in high-risk communities for implementing these programs, with schools required to report on student outcomes. It encourages coordination with existing mental health support efforts like school counseling and suicide prevention initiatives. The funding expires August 1, 2031, and applies to all public school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates annual state funding (2025-2030) for school resiliency programs in high-poverty districts, directly advancing public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funding (2025-2030) for mandated self-resiliency curriculum in public schools, prioritizing high-poverty districts and requiring outcome reporting to advance student programs.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1189: Addressing parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.

HB 1189 modifies Washington state school policies regarding parental volunteers with criminal convictions. It requires schools to inform parents about submitting rehabilitation documents (like expungements or certificates of rehabilitation) and prohibits denying volunteer applications based solely on past convictions if such documents are provided. For parents without these documents, schools must consider factors like time since conviction, whether minors were involved, and other relevant details before denying applications, and must provide written reasons for denials within five days. Parents denied access can appeal to the superintendent of public instruction, with specific appeal procedures to be established by that office. The bill directly affects parents seeking school volunteer roles who have criminal histories, aiming to balance safety considerations with opportunities for parental involvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables rehabilitation integration by allowing school volunteering with expungement certificates, reducing post-conviction barriers aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers for parents with criminal records to volunteer, expanding school community access and inclusivity in K-12 settings.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1699: Defending equity in interscholastic sports.

HB 1699 (Defending equity in interscholastic sports) requires Washington public school districts to verify a student’s biological sex through a healthcare provider’s statement (based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or testosterone levels) before allowing biologically male students to participate in female-identified sports. It permits schools to prohibit biologically male students from competing in sports with separate male/female classifications, while mandating equal resources (equipment, facilities, coaching, etc.) for all gender-segregated teams. The bill amends existing laws (RCW 28A.600.200 and 28A.640.020) to align with these provisions and requires the superintendent to develop guidelines eliminating sex discrimination in school activities. It directly affects public school students, athletic programs, and district policies governing interscholastic sports participation.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts student participation in school sports based on biological sex, limiting access for biologically male students in female-identified sports per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5192: Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs.

This bill updates the formula for allocating state funding to support basic education in Washington state school districts. It outlines how funds are distributed based on the resources needed for "prototypical" elementary, middle, and high schools. The formula specifies minimum staffing levels for classroom teachers, including average class sizes for various grades and subjects, and allocations for other essential school staff like principals and support personnel. Additionally, it mandates the Superintendent of Public Instruction to report per-pupil allocations for different programs to enhance transparency, while generally allowing districts flexibility in how they use these funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill updates state funding formula for public schools, mandating minimum staffing/class size allocations which requires increased budget allocation for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates state funding formula for basic education, specifies minimum teacher staffing/class sizes, and allocates funds for essential school staff per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding Student Health

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1011: Creating a school safety capital grant program.

HB 1011 creates a state grant program to fund physical school safety improvements like security vestibules, metal detectors, fencing, and lighting for public and tribal schools in Washington. Eligible schools must cover at least 100% of project costs with nonstate funds (reduced to 25% for schools with high poverty rates), and projects cannot exceed $1 million in total cost. Grantees must maintain control of the improved facilities for 10 years and use them solely for safety, with repayment required if they violate these terms. The program requires projects to follow safety-focused design principles and will operate through a competitive application process administered by the state superintendent's office.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding school safety infrastructure, allocating public funds for public service with matching requirements.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds physical school safety infrastructure (vestibules, detectors, fencing) for K-12 schools, directly improving educational facility safety and student well-being per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Safety

Track

signed · Washington · House May 13, 2025

HB 1167: Directing the statewide career and technical education task force to consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions.

House Bill 1167 directs the existing statewide career and technical education task force to specifically consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions. The bill expands the task force's mandate, requiring it to develop recommendations for strengthening and expanding access to work-integrated learning, including career and technical education and apprenticeship programs, with a particular focus on the maritime sector. These recommendations will cover aspects like curricula, industry partnerships, educator training, and alignment with postsecondary programs. The aim is to enhance and standardize career and technical education programs to better prepare students for jobs in maritime industries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects task force to expand CTE access for maritime careers, strengthening educational pathways and work-integrated learning opportunities in career education.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workforce development via CTE/apprenticeships for maritime careers, strengthening employment pathways and skills training per bill's mandate to 'strengthen and expand access'.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers Apprenticeships Workforce Development