Controversial bill that guardrails Parental Bill of Rights is signed into law

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed SHB 1296 into law, addressing the safety and privacy of K-12 students amidst controversy. Opponents claim the legislation undermines the Parental Rights Initiative, which was backed by the conservative PAC Let’s Go Washington. The new law expands protections by including ethnicity, homelessness, immigration status, and neurodivergence as protected classes in public schools. Additionally, it mandates that students' medical and counseling records remain confidential from parents. Ferguson emphasized that the law clarifies protections for sexual orientation, gender expression, and identity.

Parents retain the right to opt their children out of specific learning activities and will be notified about certain medical procedures. This legislation responds to an evolving landscape of educational policies regarding parental involvement and student privacy rights. The law went into effect immediately after being signed on May 20, 2025.