Technology

SB 6260 establishes a reimbursement system for school districts to replace student transportation vehicles, requiring the superintendent to set annual payments based on vehicle category, lifetime, and inflation. It also mandates a statewide online "high school and beyond plan" platform for all students by 2020-21, requiring features like translation support, automatic academic data integration, and student privacy controls. The bill directs the superintendent to select a vendor by June 2024 and develop a full implementation plan by October 2024, including cost estimates and professional development. These changes directly affect school districts, students, and educators by altering transportation funding and creating a standardized digital tool for college/career planning.

SB 5346 requires Washington public school districts to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional hours by the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report on existing policies and recommend strategies (like time limits or secure storage) by December 2025, leading to a model policy developed by school directors. School districts must align their local policies with this model and share them annually with students and families. The bill excludes school-issued devices and defines "instructional hours" per existing law, focusing on reducing distractions and supporting mental health without specifying direct device bans.

Senate Bill 5105 expands Washington's existing laws concerning fabricated depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The bill amends current definitions to remove the requirement that the depicted minor be "identifiable" for an image to be considered a "fabricated depiction." It explicitly includes images created or altered using artificial intelligence or other digital tools within the scope of prohibited "digitization." This legislation aims to broaden the ability to prosecute crimes involving such material, affecting individuals who create, possess, or disseminate these depictions.

SB 5956 prohibits Washington public schools from using artificial intelligence (AI) or surveillance technologies to make or solely determine student discipline decisions, such as suspensions or expulsions. It bans "risk scores" predicting student misconduct, biometric tracking for emotional/mental health analysis, and automated watchlists, requiring human review for any discipline action involving AI or surveillance data. The law directly affects all K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and tribal education programs in Washington, mandating updates to policies to prevent discriminatory impacts on students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students. It also restricts sharing student data with law enforcement except in emergencies involving imminent serious physical harm.

Senate Bill 5469 aims to prevent certain data-sharing practices in the rental housing market that could lead to coordinated rent pricing. The bill makes it unlawful for "service providers" to collect and analyze rental data from multiple landlords and then recommend rental prices or terms to more than one landlord. It also prohibits landlords from subscribing to or contracting with these coordinating service providers. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices under the state's consumer protection act, allowing for enforcement by the attorney general or civil lawsuits by injured individuals.