Washington State Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the parental "Bill of Rights" overhaul into law on Tuesday, marking a point of controversy between lawmakers.
The legislation, House Bill 1296, is considered one of the most divisive approved during this year's Washington state legislative session. It stems from Initiative 2081, a citizen initiative that lawmakers approved last year.
Parental Bill of Rights Overhaul
The latter granted parents of public school students under the age of 18 years certain rights. For one, it allowed them to easily gain access to school materials and their children's medical records. Furthermore, it ensures that they will get immediate notification if a child is involved in a crime.
However, Democratic officials said they would write a "clean-up bill" if the initiative clashed with other state and federal laws. On the other hand, Republican leaders claim that the law that was signed into law on Monday undermines the initiative by going further.
There is an emergency clause in the new law that allows it to take effect immediately and also removes the possibility of a referendum. This gives voters a chance to weigh in on the law itself, according to the Washington State Standard.
Democrats believe that the emergency clause could help give schools more clarity right away while Republicans criticize it as a means of blocking any referendum effort. Other opponents of the bill added they are already looking for alternative paths to a repeal.
On top of parental rights, the bill also includes students' rights, including the right to receive an education in a safe and supportive learning environment that is free of harassment and bullying. It also clarifies that students are free to exercise constitutionally protected rights at school.
Giving Students More Rights
The new law removes certain parental rights in Initiative 2081, particularly those giving access to medical records, and modifies timelines for notifying parents of criminal actions that involve students, the Center Square reported.
Rep. Monica Stonier said there was a lot of controversy surrounding the policy, but noted that students deserve a place where they can be seen and acknowledged in their full selves. The lawmaker, who is the prime sponsor of HB 1296, added that they should have a chance to experience a school system without discrimination.
Proponents of the bill claim it guarantees students' rights to safety and privacy. They claim it allows them to share sensitive information, including gender identity or sexual orientation, without being afraid of supposedly being "outed" to their families, as per Komo News.
