HB 1338 revises Washington state's formula for distributing basic education funding to school districts. It establishes specific per-pupil funding levels based on "prototypical" school models (e.g., 600 students for high schools, 432 for middle schools, 400 for elementary schools), setting minimum class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) and staff ratios for roles including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, and support staff. The bill mandates transparency by requiring the superintendent to publish per-pupil funding data online and school districts to link to it on their websites. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington, determining how state funds are allocated for core instructional programs and operational costs.
HB 1637 requires Washington public schools to implement nonfirearm safety measures, directly affecting all public schools and school districts in the state. Key provisions include creating a public school safety dashboard to track and rate incidents by severity (e.g., bullying, violence), establishing security grants for physical improvements like keycard access and panic buttons, and mandating a full-time school resource officer at every public school. The bill also requires an evaluation of prior school safety reforms enacted in 2019. These changes aim to improve transparency, fund physical security upgrades, and ensure consistent safety staffing to address reported safety concerns among students and staff.
HB 1855 amends Washington state law to prohibit public school discrimination based on additional protected categories, directly affecting students and schools statewide. It adds specific definitions for terms like gender identity, gender expression, neurodivergence, immigration status, and homelessness, then updates the existing anti-discrimination statute (RCW 28A.642.010) to explicitly include these categories. The law expands protections beyond current federal standards, ensuring schools cannot discriminate on these grounds in educational settings. It focuses on creating inclusive environments by addressing barriers to learning for marginalized students, including LGBTQ+ youth and neurodivergent students. The policy change is a direct update to school anti-discrimination rules, not a new program or funding measure.
This bill (HB 1351) adjusts the eligibility requirements for children to access Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). It clarifies that an eligible child must be at least three years old by August 31st of the school year and not yet age-eligible for kindergarten. The bill updates income thresholds for families, shifting from federal poverty levels to state median income percentages over time. Additionally, it expands eligibility to include children experiencing homelessness or those who have participated in other specific early childhood support programs.
SB 5718 allows certain teachers and school employees who joined retirement plan 3 between 1996-2007 (teachers) or 2000-2007 (school employees) to irrevocably transfer to plan 2 for future service, as they were never offered this choice when initially enrolling. Members must make the transfer during January after the bill's effective date and earn service credit for that month. The bill explicitly prohibits transfers for those already retired and reserves the legislature's right to modify or end this option. It also includes a provision to suspend transfers if federal tax guidance conflicts with the policy.
SB 5378 expands financial assistance for small school districts and small businesses under Washington’s paid family and medical leave program. It allows eligible employers (including second-class school districts and businesses with 50-150 employees) to receive up to $3,000 for hiring temporary workers during employee leave or up to $1,000 to cover extra wage costs from leave. Grants are limited to 10 per year per employer, require documentation linking costs to leave, and apply only to employees using the program. Small businesses (under 50 employees) receiving grants face three years of full premium assessments under the program.
HB 1894 requires Washington public school districts to incorporate curriculum about the history, culture, and government of nearby federally recognized tribes into social studies by September 1, 2026, directly affecting all K-12 schools. It mandates districts to consult with tribes during curriculum updates and use the "John McCoy (lulilaš)" curriculum as a starting point. The bill creates an Office of Native Education within the superintendent’s office to support districts in developing these materials and requires annual monitoring of compliance starting in 2025-26. The law expires September 1, 2029, and requires districts to report on tribal collaborations and curriculum implementation.
HB 1021 ensures military-connected students can stay in their current school through the end of the school year (or graduation for grades 9-12) if a parent’s active duty transfer requires a move. It allows schools to accept enrollment applications conditionally using temporary military housing (like on-base billeting) as proof of residency, finalizing enrollment once documentation is provided. The bill also clarifies that school districts aren’t required to provide transportation for these students unless mandated by law. This directly affects children of active-duty military parents and their school districts across Washington State.
SB 5180 requires all Washington public school districts to adopt or update policies ensuring gender-inclusive school environments, directly affecting students, staff, and families in every public school. Key provisions mandate schools to guarantee students' rights to use preferred names/pronouns, participate in sports/activities aligned with their gender identity, access appropriate restrooms, and dress per their gender expression within school dress codes. School districts must designate a primary contact for these policies, provide annual training, and share policies with parents, students, and staff. The bill clarifies and strengthens existing state protections for transgender and gender-expansive students, aiming to eliminate ambiguity in current law and ensure consistent implementation across all school districts.
HB 1226 allocates $2.7 million from the Multimodal Transportation Account to fund the University of Washington’s sidewalk accessibility mapping project, requiring public data sharing and prioritizing overburdened communities. It also appropriates $1 million to the Washington State Transportation Center for engineering internships, training programs, and a workforce analysis addressing shortages in civil engineering and related fields. Additionally, $6 million from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Account funds zero-emission electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state facilities, with reporting requirements on installation locations and carbon impact. The bill mandates annual project updates to legislative committees and prioritizes installations based on state environmental goals.
