OLYMPIA — Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Federal Way) filed three bills Wednesday aimed at increasing comprehensive student civil rights protections and accountability measures for districts intentionally violating Washington state law.  

SB 5179 adds needed accountability at the school district level by directing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish procedures to investigate and address complaints against school districts intentionally violating state law, including creating a compliance action plan for the district. The bill focuses on ensuring school districts comply with laws that cover issues of civil rights (including discrimination and sexual harassment), harassment, intimidation, bullying, curriculum requirements, the use of restraint and isolation, and student discipline. The bill also requires school board directors take an oath swearing to support and uphold Washington state law and allows for those found intentionally violating it to be recalled. 

SB 5180 ensures fundamental protections for a student’s right to a safe, civil, and respectful learning community by outlining the specific policy requirements around creating a gender inclusive environment. The bill effectively prevents districts from selecting which policies to follow while protecting teachers from retaliation. 

SB 5181 aligns the 2024 parental rights in public education bill with current state law. This includes adding all protected classes under nondiscrimination laws, revising timelines for notifications, and modifying the definition of an official education record to better align with the standard definition used by all states. The bill preserves the core of the parental rights bill passed late in the 2024 legislative session while adjusting key provisions in order to eliminate ambiguity and overly broad terminology to aide districts with implementation.  

“Everyone deserves a safe space to be themselves. For many, school is that space. Amid a national mental health crisis and a tragic increase in youth homelessness — both contributing to a growing demand in services — it’s time to rise to the occasion and enact protective, proactive legislation that ensures student success,” Wilson said. “We must also protect teachers from retaliation for doing the jobs we have entrusted them do — teaching curriculum reflective and inclusive of the world around us and providing that safe space necessary for students to flourish.” 

The three bills will be heard during the second week of the 2025 legislative session in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.  

###