Washington Governor Signs Law Overhauling Parents’ Rights in Schools

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1296, which significantly revises the 2024 Parents' Bill of Rights (Initiative 2081) by separating student medical records from education records and restricting parental access to certain information, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Supporters, including Democrats and the bill's sponsor Rep. Monica Stonier, argue the law prioritizes creating safe, supportive, and nondiscriminatory learning environments that protect student privacy and uphold student rights alongside parental rights. Critics, primarily Republicans and parental rights advocates, contend that the new legislation undermines the original initiative approved by hundreds of thousands of voters, potentially allows schools to withhold information from parents even in cases of child victimization, and effectively nullifies voters' will by including an emergency clause that prevents a referendum. The bill's amendments also incorporate protections for ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, and neurodivergent students, reflecting an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Opponents are considering alternative strategies to challenge or repeal the law, such as ballot initiatives, since the emergency clause imposes immediate effect and blocks direct voter input. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between parental rights, student privacy, and educational policies in Washington state.