[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6110909,"mediaKeyId","2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8","parentId",2755734,"title","Committee hears changes to parents’ rights initiative; supporters and opponents split sharply","audioSeconds",6445,"startMs",563565,"endMs",7009239,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8&start=563&end=7009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8/thumbnail_563565.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110909/Washington/Committee-hears-changes-to-parents-rights-initiative-supporters-and-opponents-split-sharply","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110909-898fa0afaae3a9c1b433a6b6ed825dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775880833&Signature=NBgwAUUrm5fYv7Ku~MKs2qw9a6bkgRzgLE7UPlmYkYjCptpAh9qtF4Xxbk5bYTo~yeUWG28GKcvPiIky4WO7HYFlbl2XqAlNzIm4xvvgB03nDN1ZIkvpkZIgwuM9WfXiSuxEZfyoPGB4Ueab~XvLRxOL~O8cEIRuxtsVF0-wKW~RBXhQiip-0oys2xxyT6GvtaegEKa3vvdSikqaGC-XQT5TMIMHQleUuEC6ytXcvgiSzhQBbhrZ71qCXThYglC2Zo4hHOf8kDRiVHCx8WbxEmfVVd8dlU-DAeFFNKqnv~Fhw~sE69hdzwG8eed-u10qFVLplLS5JjyQQWXQOyE25Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Education","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5,181, which the House Education Committee continued to hear, would amend language enacted by Initiative 2081 to align certain parental‑rights provisions with existing state and federal law and to clarify what information schools must notify parents about.

Supporters say the bill narrows misunderstandings created by the initiative and protects student privacy and safety; opponents say the bill weakens the initiative’s protections and infringes on parental authority.

The bill preserves core parental‑rights language while changing specific notification requirements and record definitions. Committee staff summarized that 5,181 removes some notification provisions related to criminal actions and law‑enforcement questioning, excludes certain charter‑enrollment rights that were in a previous House bill, and contains a minor technical citation change. It also specifies that delineated parental rights do not create a private right of action and clarifies distinctions between medical records and education records.

Nicole Curran of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates said the bill \"helps kids to have the freedom to learn, to be themselves, and to grow up healthy and safe,\" arguing the change prevents misleading parental expectations about routine school medical care. \"Without this bill, language from the initiative clearly misleads parents to believe that their child frequently receives medical treatment in schools without their permission,\" Curran said.

Several education and child‑advocacy organizations, including the Washington Education Association, testified in support, saying the bill helps clarify access to educational records, ties existing parental rights to other statutes such as harassment and special education complaint procedures, and protects students who are victims of crime or face family‑based abuse. Elizabeth Hendren, an attorney with a statewide victims’ legal services organization, said the bill protects sensitive records when a parent is an alleged perpetrator and preserves student safety.

Opponents — including multiple parents, school board members and religious leaders — argued the bill removes rights that voters approved in Initiative 2081 and raised constitutional concerns. Testimony also addressed the bill’s emergency clause and whether it would impede a referendum or citizen challenge to legislative changes to an initiative.

Witnesses raised questions about whether the bill creates conflicts with federal law, notably Title IX and federal privacy standards (FERPA and HIPAA). OSPI staff and other witnesses said the agency has not historically withheld basic education apportionment for similar compliance issues and that the bill’s withholding authority would be narrowly applied if used.

Committee members postponed further action and kept the hearing record open; members asked staff for legal analyses about the interplay between state enactments and federal obligations and about the implications of the bill’s emergency clause and its effect on the referendum process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education - 3/24/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5,181, which the House Education Committee continued to hear, would amend language enacted by Initiative 2081 to align certain parental‑rights provisions with existing state and federal law and to clarify what information schools must notify parents about.","taxTitle","Education, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20259,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110913,"House committee hears bill to create state complaint process for willful school law violations",3278,35300,3313390,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8&start=35&end=3313","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8/thumbnail_35300.jpg","/articles/6110913/Washington/House-committee-hears-bill-to-create-state-complaint-process-for-willful-school-law-violations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110913-2be0d3949be5ecf07b485e6149108de3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775880833&Signature=CSvKIjnWPMbcxobgyu0W-hLa7CmCEnZlvPrDPG9hICynAS4bPjH3w3lEwazmC8GHZv2L3PICnaE1BOISLeGKd21VXeCPWXqgt5PBuSU0XCEoCCTyyg~BTVlSwloIAOqwLisyCnDqwnafQiEJ5skAH5-LimMSVN9ibdB48t2~7U6~lKnJEpjh3Mz2IHYcCSNKHKTVoVUknIorhg-2-Bv9xd3UfVye-RlAl5u-VOBZXVN9vwCah-09a3jt00s9LaPhdtkXpD3DOoRhTDSrkZn-XPsvkc7zR2CP7hvbeQhl97Tdnmo14FhSWBYYGDRhjcRHNQ3I0kk2NXr32pty6REweQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee took public testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,179, which would require the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a complaint and investigation process for alleged willful noncompliance with specified state education laws.

Proponents say the bill gives families a clear enforcement path when local districts ignore state law; opponents say it risks federal conflicts and weakens local control.

Under the bill, OSPI must implement by July 1, 2026, a process to investigate two complaint types: limited complaints affecting individual students and broad complaints affecting a school or district. If OSPI finds noncompliance, local superintendents and boards must adopt a compliance action plan developed with OSPI, school staff, parents, students and community representatives. If OSPI finds willful noncompliance, the agency may require policy changes, refer certified superintendents for professional discipline, and — as a last resort — withhold up to 20% of basic education allocations and redirect those funds to support the compliance plan. The bill also creates recurring public hearings every six months while a district remains in willful noncompliance and extends the complaint process to charter and tribal compact schools.

\"When school districts willfully did not comply with certain educational requirements in state law, it becomes problematic for many children and families in our K‑12 system,\" said Senator Claire Wilson, the prime sponsor, during her testimony. She argued the measure protects students' civil rights and ensures safe learning environments.

Jenny Plaja, an OSPI representative who testified in support, told the committee the agency welcomes clearer authority to enforce local policies and does not intend to ‘‘get overly involved in local decision making’’ but to provide transparency and targeted corrective action. \"This bill really intentionally keeps the process very involved and transparent at the local level,\" Plaja said.

Opponents including district leaders warned of costs and legal conflicts. Jason Perrin, superintendent of Chula School District, said the bill \"divides the state, OSPI and the communities we serve by granting OSPI a punitive authority over school districts\" and questioned whether it would increase legal fees and administrative burdens.

Other testimony highlighted differing views on federal preemption and whether withholding basic education funds could run afoul of the state constitution’s funding duties. OSPI staff said the agency has not historically withheld basic education allocations under similar circumstances and that any withholding would be rare and targeted.

The bill includes administrative requirements: if OSPI finds willful noncompliance, it may require additional public hearings and a district board member could be subject to recall or discharge for willful or negligent noncompliance. The bill also directs OSPI to provide model student handbook language by Oct. 1, 2025, and revises the school board oath to require that directors support the laws of Washington in addition to state and federal constitutions.

Committee members and witnesses asked about safeguards, how OSPI would exercise the withholding authority, and historical practice. OSPI witnesses said their normal work is collaborative and preventative but that the bill would add clarity to enforcement options. Testimony included broad public comment from dozens of stakeholders representing parents, districts, advocacy groups and legal aid organizations.

The committee kept the public hearing open during the meeting to allow all registered testifiers time to speak; members noted the bill is scheduled to be considered later and requested follow‑up information on historical OSPI compliance letters and legal analysis of withholding funds.

If enacted, the bill would create a statewide administrative complaint route in addition to existing local and federal enforcement options, and would impose specified timelines and remedy steps when OSPI finds willful noncompliance.","A bill before the House Education Committee would require the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to investigate alleged willful noncompliance by school districts, authorize corrective plans and, in some cases, allow withholding or redirection of state basic education funds.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110895,"Committee hears bill to add voter registration, media literacy and civic‑engagement training to high school civics course",897,5903170,6800775,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8&start=5903&end=6800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8/thumbnail_5903170.jpg","/articles/6110895/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-add-voter-registration-media-literacy-and-civicengagement-training-to-high-school-civics-course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110895-63c7c3f4401f7e39162592b1314c1135/orig.mp4?Expires=1775880833&Signature=O2~AJpgmYAXIZozuGmHoY03e-vZ6iCoX37PH8QQuJP2sHGgX0uVoCPHsVDj256FYlxZJ5SDSPOxeGzHBpCPOj7-qAP~fN-FHEPsgQk5AAcGhCadmyP1HGp9rINvinM0rZro~oQf2PfRhMNIc9Lj9vQPlUxkOUnK7EdqG3NNGAQffB9Wv5SMgBlc0Y3HQ2fui1KczybIXfpPVH1R4eEXe6IWG~6TVc~oL8s9cpKvTskfi76fX~PWmKpi3IqDMDtwd3NJfQipQEOLTF1iC5s9cimXJWkyCOMT9fgnA-X4D9Zbm1O9LBM3q95zl0qAeZGbCPFeKvHWKjs~mM88sYBEZKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5,637, which would expand the required content of Washington’s stand‑alone high school civics course to include voter registration processes, media literacy (including critical engagement with online information and misinformation), tools and methods for initiating public policy change, and factors that influence political participation and representation.

Staff said OSPI must identify and post materials and resources on its website by Sept. 1, 2025, working with specified nonprofits and leveraging existing resources such as the Washington Open Educational Resource hub; OSPI would review the materials at least every five years.

The Washington Library Association, which testified before the committee, urged stronger support for school library and information programs to ensure districts have teacher‑librarians and infrastructure to deliver media‑literacy instruction. \"A lot of our districts around the state are missing the school library information technology programs taught by teacher librarians that would be absolutely imperative to making sure that this can be done on a school‑wide basis,\" said Carolyn Logue of the association.

Several high‑school students also testified in favor of the bill. Kate Fogel, a senior at Lake Washington High School, said a stand‑alone civics class helped her learn to ‘‘discern truth from deceit’’ and argued that stronger civic education will encourage youth participation. Adi Hurvitz said media literacy equips students to identify bias and combat misinformation, citing social media misinformation about international events. Sabina Kolozynski, a member of the Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council, said the bill helps young people learn how to engage with the legislature and reduce civic hopelessness.

Opponents raised concerns about potential bias in materials selected by OSPI and the use of nonprofits to create curricula; some warned that centrally curated lists of \"reputable\" media could skew classroom discussions. Committee members asked staff and witnesses about existing resources, model curricula and the role school librarians play in delivering media‑literacy instruction.

The committee recorded public sign‑ins and concluded the hearing on the bill; staff said a fiscal note is available in the committee packet.","Senate Bill 5,637 would require Washington’s stand‑alone high school civics course to include voter registration processes, media literacy and tools for civic engagement; the bill directs OSPI to post resources in collaboration with nonprofits by Sept. 1, 2025.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110900,"Bill would let charter schools seek basic‑education waivers available to districts",896,2647094,3543845,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8&start=2647&end=3543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8/thumbnail_2647094.jpg","/articles/6110900/Washington/Bill-would-let-charter-schools-seek-basiceducation-waivers-available-to-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110900-b12a62c0949488eb91a856c6a40afc60/orig.mp4?Expires=1775880833&Signature=N3wvW8mKpRR2alxHtjV1GudLIL-nkpZzE4Tm6ZmN33Ab7GDx-dpt4XUV~iTv-CltRVmOhDp6Re78BuouXOyDyqESexKE3pEyJNZFhDclfZcsFvZbniD5bWXS~giMdWkt2qthfTBM-C7X42iREI4seZBtKm5cZ7KzijLiCSu5qBxGvaW~e~CQ5lE5vcqMezs-63ZmT7O~xj5X8auTrlD94U701pqCyWIx0FVfGGmsLYSC4coeYhbsUQjkOuWBKQpokEk0dAMOhFkY~JGf29DNEj5FDTa5kfD96bLNNEepEYkvcWJ9qjlaC9v8fdisT6xKw62BRoVCxH5fJBEXY8HN7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Education Committee staff described Substitute Senate Bill 5,418 as a technical fix to allow charter public schools the same waiver access from basic‑education requirements that school districts may seek today.

Supporters told the committee the change would align practice with intent and allow charter schools to pursue waivers for instructional flexibility without changing the 180‑day requirement. Charter schools would remain accountable to authorizers and state learning standards; the bill extends existing waiver mechanisms so charter contracts may request exemptions through the superintendent of public instruction or the State Board of Education.

\"The proposed change will allow SBE and the state board the same waiver authority to charter public schools as you do for traditional districts,\" said Marcus Harden of the Washington State Charter School Commission, urging the committee to adopt the technical fix. Charter school leaders described specific operational problems that have arisen when waiver statutes referenced \"school districts\" and not charter organizations; one charter principal said his school was denied a credit‑based graduation waiver on that basis.

Witnesses asked lawmakers to consider whether the statutory language should allow authorizers to consult with the State Board of Education on new or revised contracts that affect board duties. Supporters characterized the change as narrowly targeted to correct a statutory gap and urged passage; a fiscal note was provided in committee materials and public sign‑ins showed broad support from charter school groups.

The committee concluded the public hearing and recorded public testimony counts; no committee vote was taken during the session.","Substitute Senate Bill 5,418 would allow charter schools to seek waivers from basic‑education requirements through existing mechanisms used by school districts and require authorizers to consult the state board on contract changes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110905,"Bill would let districts under enhanced oversight borrow from capital funds and sell assets with oversight",2540,705535,3246074,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8&start=705&end=3246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755734-7244cc4a048c1e74a4bcf68e39252cb8/thumbnail_705535.jpg","/articles/6110905/Washington/Bill-would-let-districts-under-enhanced-oversight-borrow-from-capital-funds-and-sell-assets-with-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110905-a41aefe729bab3613f93d7806179cbd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775880833&Signature=RXo-UB~edTJ63hjxJtK537VRaR3o4muchvlNkqzfDidf0vCDNcBOy-H-Z1aYxyBtMesW1QS3DXyrU7EPxjg73VcUqRbmTRI~ZlHV0wn8xrp4HTObIuhxrkhN6XUE1tjfKaOZp754Ypbu781P0FVuBzTR4YF~1LMrCsyJW0ZC93dXdEjJph2YmKd0XU~to4I~oJqdqkXP4s8DZdzAoddvctL-Vj-9p2vtP~1AQG1HJEXmuCzNtbkw8s5ZTtnLynZXeu-fyg6Z8yZD0FiLoSxmGKza6MAWSioPebBI8Bsxt9veb2QASLXnQM937FqJUE4dAbcyaL9rC2PhwVfhiz0JWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Education Committee staff and the bill’s prime sponsor briefed members on Substitute Senate Bill 5,412 and took testimony from Senate sponsor June Robinson and district leaders.

The bill would allow a school district in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to take a temporary interfund loan from its capital projects fund — subject to board resolution, specified disclosures and repayment within one calendar year — and would prohibit charging interest on such loans. If a district is under enhanced financial oversight, the transaction must be approved by the special administrator appointed by the oversight committee. The bill also authorizes a special administrator or oversight committee to direct the sale of district real property and deposit proceeds into a fund selected by the oversight committee; correspondingly, school boards may sell property authorized for sale by the committee.

\"This bill gives the school district two tools to help with that process of getting back to a balanced budget,\" said State Senator June Robinson, who described the bill as addressing the Marysville School District’s current status under enhanced oversight and said the bill includes oversight guardrails. She said an interfund capital‑to‑operating loan without interest and the ability to deposit proceeds of property sales into the operating fund can help districts stabilize budgets.

Nonpartisan staff explained background: current law allows the superintendent of public instruction to impose binding conditions and establish a financial oversight committee for insolvent districts; the oversight committee may recommend dissolution or enhanced monitoring. Interfund loans currently are temporary transfers between funds approved by board resolution and subject to statutory requirements; the bill would specifically allow loans from capital projects funds in the circumstances described and requires OSPI to adopt implementing rules.

Representatives asked whether the bill could be expanded to allow pre‑binding districts to access the tool; sponsor Robinson said that was an amendment possibility but cautioned oversight levels differ and OSPI/ESD input would be needed to set thresholds. School leaders from Bellevue and other districts testified in favor of adding the ability for some districts in earlier stages (binding conditions) to sell property to stabilize budgets; Bellevue’s superintendent said the change could protect post‑pandemic investments in literacy and mental‑health supports.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about approvals, sale authority and whether the change could reduce the risk of districts advancing to insolvency and dissolution. The committee concluded the public hearing on SB 5,412 after receiving testimony and counted public sign‑ins; staff noted a fiscal estimate was available in committee materials.","Substitute Senate Bill 5,412 would allow school districts under ‘‘binding conditions’’ or enhanced financial oversight to take temporary interfund loans from capital projects funds and to sell property with approval by a special administrator or financial oversight committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears changes to parents’ rights initiative; supporters and opponents split sharply

House committee hears bill to create state complaint process for willful school law violations

Committee hears bill to add voter registration, media literacy and civic‑engagement training to high school civics course

Bill would let charter schools seek basic‑education waivers available to districts

Bill would let districts under enhanced oversight borrow from capital funds and sell assets with oversight