We've been hearing questions from principals and assistant principals across the state about the Parents' Bill of Rights and legislation around them (HB 1296 and SB 5181). To help inform our members and clear up confusion around the Bill of Rights and each of the bills, we have some information to share. The information for the FAQs comes from the bill reports for each bill, as well as the bills' prime sponsors ( Rep. Monica Stonier (D–Vancouver) for HB 1296 and Sen. Claire Wilson (D–Federal Way) for SB 5181).
Both legislators extend much gratitude and respect for our school leaders as you navigate difficult situations and have hard conversations as you lead your schools. They encourage you to trust yourself with what you already know about working with the policies that have been in place for years regarding working with families and supporting students.
The underlying policies of how principals have been communicating with parents and families about their students and supporting the safety of students do not change.
For some background, in 2024, the Legislature passed Initiative 2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights. In 2025, in response to discrepancies with some parts of state law, HB 1296 and SB 5181 were introduced to bring the language of the initiative into compliance with state law in order to remove redundancies and contradictions.
SB 5181 is a simpler “clean-up” bill. HB 1296 incorporates a few more pieces than the Senate bill. The Senate is addressing some of these differences through other bills (SB 5179 and SB 5123, for example.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do these Parents’ Bill of Rights bills (HB 1296 and SB 5181) create new policies?
A: Approximately 90% of what was proposed and ultimately passed in Initiative 2081 were policies that were already within current state law. HB 1296 and SB 5181 were introduced to bring the language of the initiative into compliance with other pieces of state law in order to remove some redundancies and contradictions. There may be some new policies regarding enforcement and response to retaliatory actions if HB 1296 is passed.
Q: How do these bills impact student health care?
A: If these bills pass, existing laws will be retained for establishing at what age a student can consent to receive emergency medical services, birth control, mental health treatment, and other medical services.
Q: Can parents review a child’s curriculum?
A: Yes, parents and legal guardians have the right to access and observe their child's classroom and school-sponsored activities in accordance with RCW 28A.605.020 and to examine the curriculum, textbooks, instructional materials, and supplemental instructional materials used in their child's classroom in accordance with policies and procedures established by the district.
Q: Does this law mean that administrators won't notify parents if their child suspects abuse at school by a staff member?
A: No, both bills state that school districts must immediately notify the parents or legal guardians of a student alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of an allegation of sexual misconduct by a school employee, rather than at the first opportunity, but in all cases within 48 hours of receiving such a report. In addition, schools must immediately notify the parents or legal guardians of a student if an employee or contractor of the school district, charter school, or state-tribal education compact school has knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that a student has been a victim, target, or recipient of physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or assault occurring on school property during the school day. And finally, school employees or contractors who have knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that a student has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or assault by another school employee or contractor, must report the abuse, misconduct, or assault to the appropriate school administrator. The school administrator, in accordance with statutory provisions governing mandatory reporting obligations, must cause a report to be made to the proper law enforcement agency if the administrator has reasonable cause to believe that the abuse, misconduct, or assault has occurred.
Q: How might OSPI enforce this law in districts?
A: If HB 1296 passes, OSPI must develop technical assistance and related materials, adopt rules, and enforce and obtain compliance with the policy. This could include placing the offending school district on probation, terminating specific programs, or withholding all or part of state apportionment or categorical money to the offending school district.
Q: How would school district employees be protected in this law?
A: School district employees and directors may not take an adverse employment action against any employee of the school district for supporting students in the exercise of their legal rights, including their right to a learning environment with historically and scientifically accurate information. In addition, school district employees and directors may not take an adverse employment action against a teacher of the school district for instructing students in a manner consistent with state learning standards, or using instructional materials approved in accordance with RCW 28A.320.230 that are culturally and experientially representative, including materials on the study of the role and contributions of individuals or groups that are part of a protected class under RCW 28A.642.010 and 28A.640.010.
For more information, see OSPI's page on implementing the Parents' Bill of Rights.
