Below are bills related to education that we are tracking during the 2019 legislative session. This page is updated weekly. For questions about our bill tracker, please contact us.

2019 Education bills

Bills that League of Education Voters is watching closely

Below are bills of high interest.

Summary Bill Lead Sponsors Status
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Promoting career and college readiness through modified high school graduation requirements.		 1599 Stonier (D-49) Delivered to Governor. 
Early Childhood Education.
Expanding eligibility to the early childhood education and assistance program.		 1351 companion to SB 5437 Goodman (D-45) HRules R
Early Childhood Education.
Implementing improvements to the early achievers program as reviewed and recommended by the joint select committee on the early achievers program.		 1391 companion to SB 5484 Senn (D-41) Delivered to Governor. 
K-12.
Concerning school resource officer mandatory training and policies.		 5141 Wellman (D-41) SRules 3
Finance & Funding.
Making 2019-2021 biennium operating appropriations.		 5153 companion to HB 1109 Rolfes (D-23) SWays & Means
Finance & Funding.
Concerning appropriations for special education programs.		 1093 companion to SB 5312 Dolan (D-22) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Enhancing special education funding.		 1910 Pollet (D-46) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Establishing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship pilot program.		 1973 Paul (D-10) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Finance & Funding.
Relating to K-12 education funding.		 2140 Sullivan (D-47) Delivered to Governor. 
Finance & Funding.
Concerning state and federal special education funding.		 5091 Wellman (D-41) Delivered to Governor. 
Finance & Funding.
Concerning state and federal special education funding.		 5312 companion to HB 1093 Wellman (D-41) SEL/K-12
Finance & Funding.
Concerning school levies.		 5313 Wellman (D-41) Delivered to Governor. 
Finance & Funding.
Concerning basic education funding.		 5465 Wellman (D-41) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Removing certain restrictions on subsidized child care for students at institutions of higher education.		 1303 companion to SB 5341 Shewmake (D-42) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Postsecondary.
Concerning college bound scholarship eligible students.		 1311 Bergquist (D-11) Delivered to Governor. 
Student Supports.
Building the capacity within the educator workforce to improve student mental health and well-being.		 1479 Senn (D-41) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning support for students experiencing homelessness.		 5324 companion to HB 1263 Frockt (D-46) Delivered to Governor. 
Student Supports.
Addressing equity in access to dual credit opportunities.		 5593 Liias (D-21) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Concerning harassment intimidation bullying and discrimination in public schools.		 5689 Liias (D-21) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Student Supports.
Concerning homeless college students.		 5800 companion to 1572 Randall (D-26) Delivered to Governor. 
Student Supports.
Concerning children's mental health.		 5903 companion to 1876 Darnelle (D-26) Delivered to Governor. 
Student Supports.
Addressing language access in public schools.		 1130 companion to SB 5606 Orwall (D-33) Delivered to Governor. 
Student Supports.
Concerning nonfirearm measures to increase school safety and student well-being.		 1216 companion to SB 5317 Dolan (D-22) Delivered to Governor. 

House Bills

Below are education-related bills that have been introduced in the House.

Summary Bill Lead Sponsors Status
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Concerning career and technical education in alternative learning experience programs.		 1304 companion to SB 5448 MacEwen (R-35) HRules 3C
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Expanding career connected learning opportunities in order to help students with college readiness.		 1336 companion to SB 5327 Slatter (D-48) HApprops
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Establishing the Washington children's educations savings account program.		 1592 companion to SB 5704 Kildiff (D-28) HApprops
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Promoting career and college readiness through modified high school graduation requirements.		 1599 Stonier (D-49) Delivered to Governor.
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Establishing the Washington adult diploma and workforce training program.		 1903 companion to SB 5891 Mead (D-44) HColl & Wkf Dev
Early Childhood Education.
Expanding eligibility to the early childhood education and assistance program.		 1351 companion to SB 5437 Goodman (D-45) HRules R
Early Childhood Education.
Concerning education equivalencies for licensed child care providers.		 1378 companion to SB 5711 McCaslin (R-4) HApprops
Early Childhood Education.
Implementing improvements to the early achievers program as reviewed and recommended by the joint select committee on the early achievers program.		 1391 companion to SB 5484 Senn (D-41) Delivered to Governor. 
Early Childhood Education.
Ensuring participation on the oversight board for children/youth and families by current or former foster youth individuals with current or previous experience in the juvenile justice system a physician with experience working with children or youth and individuals residing east of the Cascade mountain range.		 1561 Dent (R-13) Delivered to Governor.
Early Childhood Education.
Establishing the welcome to Washington baby act.		 1771 companion to SB 5683 Senn (D-41) HApprops
Early Childhood Education.
Concerning professional development requirements for child day care centers.		 1866 Dent (R-13) Governor vetoed.
Finance & Funding.
Concerning appropriations for special education programs.		 1093 companion to SB 5312 Dolan (D-22) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Concerning the Washington national guard postsecondary grant program.		 1201 Kilduff (D-28) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Establishing a state student loan program.		 1542 Sullivan (D-47) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Enhancing educational opportunities for vulnerable children and youth using funding distributed from the Puget Sound taxpayer accountability account.		 1791 companion to SB 5851 Reeves (D-30) HRules 3C
Finance & Funding.
Incorporating the costs of employee health benefits into school district contracts for pupil transportation.		 1813 Sullivan (D-47) HRules 3C
Finance & Funding.
Enhancing special education funding.		 1910 Pollet (D-46) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Establishing the Washington free to finish college program.		 1950 Hansen (D-23) HColl & Wkf Dev
Finance & Funding.
Concerning the maximum share of state and school employee health benefit premiums to be paid by employers participating in the public employees' and school employees' benefits boards.		 1955 Stokesbary (R-31) HApprops
Finance & Funding.
Establishing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship pilot program.		 1973 Paul (D-10) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Finance & Funding.
Relating to K-12 education funding.		 2140 Sullivan (D-47) Delivered to Governor.
Finance & Funding.
Amending the Constitution to allow a simple majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.		 4203 companion to SJR 8201 Stonier (D-49) HEducation
Finance & Funding.
Creating and funding a school choice scholarship program for foster students.		 1969 Corry (R-14) HEducation
K-12.
Allowing public school districts and private schools to adopt a policy authorizing permanent employees to possess firearms on school grounds under certain conditions.		 1038 Walsh (R-19) HCivil R & Judi
K-12.
Concerning school district elections.		 1184 Stonier (D-49) HEducation
K-12.
Concerning school notifications.		 1191 companion to SB 5554 Goodman (D-45) HRules R
K-12.
Allowing nonresident children from military families to enroll in Washington's public schools prior to arrival in the state.		 1210 companion to SB 5771 Kilduff (D-28) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
K-12.
Concerning comprehensive school safety planning.		 1245 Pollet (D-46) HCap Budget
K-12.
Concerning dual language learning in early learning and K-12 education.		 1322 companion to SB 5607 Ortiz-Self (D-21) HApprops
K-12.
Concerning students with disabilities.		 1454 Pollet (D-46) HApprops
K-12.
Concerning K-12 computer science education data.		 1577 companion to SB 5574 Callan (D-5) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
K-12.
Changing the term alternative learning experience to personalized learning experience.		 1674 Rude (R-16) HRules 3C
Postsecondary.
Concerning unfair practices involving compensation of athletes in higher education.		 1084 companion to SB 5875 Stokesbary (R-31) HColl & Wkf Dev
Postsecondary.
Establishing the Washington promise providing for affordable access to postsecondary education.		 1123 Pollet (D-46) HApprops
Postsecondary.
Regulating degree-granting institutions private vocational schools and other for-profit schools.		 1124 Pollet (D-46) HApprops
Postsecondary.
Creating the reinvesting in our colleges program.		 1300 Tarleton (D-36) HColl & Wkf Dev
Postsecondary.
Removing certain restrictions on subsidized child care for students at institutions of higher education.		 1303 companion to SB 5341 Shewmake (D-42) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Postsecondary.
Concerning college bound scholarship eligible students.		 1311 Bergquist (D-11) Delivered to Governor.
Postsecondary.
Establishing a statewide free college program by changing the state need grant to the Washington college promise scholarship.		 1340 companion to SB 5393 Hansen (D-23) HApprops
Postsecondary.
Concerning access to state career and technical course equivalencies.		 1424 companion to SB 5069 Steele (R-12) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Postsecondary.
Establishing a state student loan program.		 1542 Sullivan (D-47) HApprops
Postsecondary.
Establishing a behavioral health innovation & integration campus within the UW school of medicine.		 1593 companion to SB 5516 Chopp (D-43) Delivered to Governor.
Postsecondary.
Concerning resident student status as applied to veterans.		 1688 companion to SB 5713 Morgan (D-29) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Postsecondary.
Notifying students of courses with low-cost instructional materials and open educational resources at four year institutions of higher education.		 1701 Werven (R-42) HApprops
Postsecondary.
Notifying students of courses with low-cost instructional materials and open educational resources at two year institutions of higher education.		 1702 Werven (R-42) HRules 3C
Postsecondary.
Concerning community and technical colleges granting high school diplomas.		 1714 companion to SB 5113 Entenman (D-47) Delivered to Governor.
Postsecondary.
Establishing a certificate program to educate behavioral health professionals.		 1721 Orwall (D-33) HColl & Wkf Dev
Postsecondary.
Concerning higher education programs.		 1735 Pollet (D-46) HColl & Wkf Dev
Postsecondary.
Allowing regional universities to offer doctorate level degrees in education.		 1755 Leavitt (D-28) HRules 3C
Postsecondary.
Expanding opportunities for students to pursue mental and behavioral health professions.		 1850 companion to SB 5635 Senn (D-41) HColl & Wkf Dev
Postsecondary.
Providing assistance for certain postsecondary students.		 1893 Entenman (D-47) Delivered to Governor.
Postsecondary.
Concerning the Washington opportunity scholarship program.		 1927 Slatter (D-48) HApprops
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning certificates of academic and individual achievement.		 1089 MacEwen (R-35) HRules 3C
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning flexibility in high school graduation requirements.		 1121 companion to SB 5146 Dolan (D-22) HEducation
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning basic skills assessments for approved teacher preparation programs.		 1621 companion to SB 5512 Ybarra (R-13) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning transfer of credit policies when there are revisions to lower-division course requirements.		 1704 Caldier (R-26) HColl & Wkf Dev
Standards & Assessments.
Removing school districts' ability to withhold pupils' grades and transcripts.		 1715 companion to SB 5669 Entenman (D-47) HRules 3C
Standards & Assessments.
Reducing state assessment requirements to only those required for federal purposes in order to facilitate removal of inequitable barriers to students.		 1720 companion to SB 5014 Young (R-26) HEducation
Standards & Assessments.
Requiring accreditation standards for college in the high school programs.		 1734 companion for SB 5706 Leavitt (D-28) Delivered to Governor.
Standards & Assessments.
Increasing the number of school districts that may be authorized to reduce the minimum number of required school days in a school year.		 1803 Orcutt (R-20) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to allocate state funding to school districts for one school resource officer on each school campus.		 1035 Walsh (R-19) HApprops
Student Supports.
Addressing language access in public schools.		 1130 companion to SB 5606 Orwall (D-33) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Concerning Washington child care access for resident employees of the state.		 1145 Reeves (D-30) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning expanded learning opportunity programs.		 1163 companion to SB 5188 Kloba (D-1) HEducation
Student Supports.
Modifying the learning assistance program.		 1182 Santos (D-37) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning nonfirearm measures to increase school safety and student well-being.		 1216 companion to SB 5317 Dolan (D-22) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Improving crisis planning in schools to prevent youth suicide.		 1221 Orwall (D-33) HEducation
Student Supports.
Concerning support for students experiencing homelessness.		 1263 companion to SB 5324 Fey (D-27) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning secondary traumatic stress in public school staff.		 1264 Ortiz-Self (D-21) HRules 3C
Student Supports.
Increasing student access to school counselors.		 1265 Ortiz-Self (D-21) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning ethnic studies in public schools.		 1314 Ortiz-Self (D-21) HApprops
Student Supports.
Providing services and supports to parenting minors to improve educational attainment.		 1327 companion to SB 5379 Kilduff (D-28) HApprops
Student Supports.
Reducing the high poverty learning assistance program threshold to the state average percentage for free or reduced-price meals student eligibility.		 1384 Jenkin (R-16) HEducation
Student Supports.
Concerning the definition of eligible pupil for purposes of the transitional bilingual instruction program.		 1425 companion to SB 5159 Lekanoff (D-40) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning bilingual educators.
 1468 companion to SB 5070 Thai (D-41) HApprops
Student Supports.
Building the capacity within the educator workforce to improve student mental health and well-being.		 1479 Senn (D-41) HApprops
Student Supports.
Changing the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to the Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth.		 1604 Stonier (D-49) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Concerning sign language interpreting in public schools.		 1623 Dolan (D-22) HApprops
Student Supports.
Concerning paraeducators.		 1658 Paul (D-10) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Concerning the participation of students who are low income in extracurricular activities.		 1660  Bergquist (D-11) HRules 3C
Student Supports.
Concerning the creation of a youth development work group within the department of children youth and families.		 1644 companion to SB 5665 Ortiz-Self (D-21) HRules 3C
Student Supports.
Concerning free or reduced-price meals for students.		 1685 Peterson (D-21) HApprops
Student Supports.
Implementing policies related to expanding adolescent behavioral health care access as reviewed and recommended by the children's mental health work group.		 1874 companion to SB 5904 Frame (D-36) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Concerning children's mental health.		 1876 companion to SB 5903 Frame (D-36) HApprops
Student Supports.
Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches.		 1892 Morgan (D-29) HApprops
Student Supports.
Providing training for equity and cultural competency in the public school system.		 1914 companion to SB 5908 Doglio (D-22) HEducation
Student Supports.
Informing new parents about adverse childhood experiences.		 1925 Dolan (D-22) HApprops
Student Supports.
Providing a full-time educational staff associate for every school.		 1943 Santos (D-37) HApprops

Senate Bills

Below are education-related bills that have been introduced in the Senate.

Summary Bill Lead Sponsors Status
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Expanding career connected learning opportunities.		 5327 companion to HB 1336 Wellman (D-41) SRules 3
College Readiness/Career Connected Learning.
Establishing the Washington children's educations savings account program.		 5704 companion to HB 1592 Liias (D-21) SWays & Means
Early Childhood Education.
Expanding eligibility to the early childhood education and assistance program.		 5437 companion to HB 1351 Wilson (D-30) Delivered to Governor.
Early Childhood Education.
Implementing improvements to the early achievers program as reviewed and recommended by the joint select committee on the early achievers program.		 5484 companion to 1391 Wilson (D-30) SRules X
Early Childhood Education.
Establishing the Washington Baby Act to create family supports through universal home visiting programs and a statewide family linkage program for resources and referrals.		 5683 companion to HB 1771 Wellman (D-41) SWays & Means
Finance & Funding.
Concerning state and federal special education funding.		 5091 Wellman (D-41) Delivered to Governor.
Finance & Funding.
Concerning state and federal special education funding.		 5312 companion to HB 1093 Wellman (D-41) SEL/K-12
Finance & Funding.
Concerning school levies.		 5313 Wellman (D-41) Delivered to Governor.
Finance & Funding.
Making 2019-2021 biennium operating appropriations.		 5153 companion to HB 1109 Rolfes (D-23) SWays & Means
Finance & Funding.
Concerning basic education funding.		 5465 Wellman (D-41) SWays & Means
Finance & Funding.
Establishing school district depreciation subfunds for the purposes of preventative maintenance.		 5590 Schoesler (R-9) SRules
Finance & Funding.
Regarding the school construction assistance program.		 5853 Pedersen (D-43) SRules 3
Finance & Funding.
Establishing the evergreen promise pilot program which provides for affordable access to institutions of higher education.		 5884 Frockt (D-46) SWays & Means
Finance & Funding.
Amending the Constitution to allow a simple majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.		 8201 companion to HB 4203 Wellman (D-41) SNot adopted
K-12.
Concerning school resource officers.		 5052 O'Ban (R-28) SEL/K-12
K-12.
Simple majority for bonds.		 8201/5066 Wellman (D-41) SNot adopted
K-12.
Concerning special education.		 5082 McCoy (D-38) Delivered to Governor.
K-12.
Establishing the world language competency grant program.		 5087 Wellman (D-41) SWays & Means
K-12.
Providing flexibility to school districts by authorizing school district waivers.		 5092 Fortunato (R-31) SEL/K-12
K-12.
Concerning school resource officer mandatory training and policies.		 5141 Wellman (D-41) SRules 3
K-12.
Developing multistage threat assessments to increase safety in K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.		 5216 O'Ban (R-28) SEL/K-12
K-12.
55% for bonds.		 8202/5252 Mullet (D-5) SEL/K-12
K-12.
Concerning nonfirearm measures to increase school safety and student well-being.		 5317 companion to HB 1216 Wellman (D-41) SRules X
K-12.
Concerning comprehensive sexual health education.		 5395 companion to HB 1407 Wilson (D-30) HEducation
K-12.
Concerning special education.		 5532 Braun (R-20) SRules 3
K-12.
Authorizing modernization grants for small school districts.		 5572 Honeyford (R-15) SRules 3
K-12.
Concerning K-12 computer science education data.		 5574 companion to HB 1577 Salomon (D-32) SRules X
K-12.
Improving climate science education.		 5576 companion to HB 1496 Wilson (D-30) SWays & Means
K-12.
Concerning enrollment priority in dual credit courses.		 5729 Rivers (R-18) SRules X
K-12.
Concerning petitions for proposed transfer of school district territory.		 5731 Short (R-7) SRules 3
Postsecondary.
Removing certain restrictions on subsidized child care for students at institutions of higher education.		 5341 companion to HB 1303 Randall (D-26) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Facilitating high school success.		 5343 Mullet (D-5) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Establishing a statewide free college program by changing the state need grant to the Washington college promise scholarship.		 5393 companion to HB 1340 Palumbo (D-1) SRules 3
Postsecondary.
Providing postsecondary education opportunities to enhance public safety.		 5433 Wilson (D-30) Delivered to Governor.
Postsecondary.
Requiring institutions of higher education to waive application fees for low-income students.		 5477 Dhingra (D-45) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Expanding opportunities for students to pursue mental and behavioral health professions.		 5635 companion to HB 1850 Brown (R-8) SRules 3
Postsecondary.
Concerning the Washington opportunity scholarship program.		 5705 Palumbo (D-1) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Concerning the College Bound Scholarship for students in dual enrollment programs.		 5727 Palumbo (D-1) SWays & Means
Postsecondary.
Relieving student debt.		 5774 Laiis (D-21) SRules 3
Postsecondary.
Concerning research in public institutions of higher education.		 5786 Brown (R-8) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Postsecondary.
Concerning unfair practices involving compensation of athletes in higher education.		 5875 companion to HB 1084 Palumbo (D-1) SWays & Means
Standards & Assessments.
Reducing state assessment requirements to only those required for federal purposes in order to facilitate removal of inequitable barriers to students.		 5014 McCoy (D-38) SEL/K-12
Standards & Assessments.
Reducing state assessment requirements to only those required for federal purposes in order to facilitate removal of inequitable barriers to students.		 5092 Fortunato (R-31) SEL/K-12
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning flexibility in high school graduation requirements.		 5146 companion to HB 1121 Wellman (D-41) SWays & Means
Standards & Assessments.
Concerning the pipeline for paraeducators conditional scholarship program.		 5413 Keiser (D-33) SWays & Means
Standards & Assessments.
Requiring accreditation standards for college in the high school programs.		 5706 companion to HB 1734 Randall (D-26) SRules X
Student Supports.
Concerning bilingual educators.		 5070 companion to HB 1468 Wellman (D-41) SEL/K-12
Student Supports.
Concerning the definition of eligible pupil for purposes of the transitional bilingual instruction program.		 5159 companion to HB 1425 McCoy (D-38) SWays & Means
Student Supports.
Concerning special education.		 5262 Zeiger (R-25) SEL/K-12
Student Supports.
Concerning school bus driver requirements.		 5263 Zeiger (R-25) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Increasing student support staff in the prototypical school funding model.		 5315 Wellman (D-41) SRules X
Student Supports.
Concerning support for students experiencing homelessness.		 5324 companion to HB 1263 Frockt (D-46) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Concerning programs for highly capable students.		 5354 companion to HB 1641 Rivers (R-18) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Providing services and supports to parenting minors to improve educational attainment.		 5379 companion to HB 1327 Wilson (D-30) SWays & Means
Student Supports.
Concerning child care access.		 5436 companion to HB 1344 Wilson (D-30) SWays & Means
Student Supports.
Concerning basic skills assessments for approved teacher preparation programs.		 5512 companion to HB 1621 Mullet (D-5) SRules X
Student Supports.
Addressing equity in access to dual credit opportunities.		 5593 Liias (D-21) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Concerning enrollment and course registration access for children of military families.		 5603 Randall (D-26) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Addressing language access in public schools.		 5606 companion to HB 1130 Wellman (D-41) SEL/K-12
Student Supports.
Concerning the creation of a youth development work group within the department of children youth and families.		 5665 companion to HB 1644 Wilson (D-30) SRules X
Student Supports.
Concerning harassment intimidation bullying and discrimination in public schools.
 5689 Liias (D-21) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
 
Student Supports.
Building capacity within the educator workforce to improve student mental health and well-being.
 5777 companion to HB 1479 Brown (R-8) SEL/K-12
 
Student Supports.
Concerning homeless college students.
 5800 companion to 1572 Randall (D-26) Delivered to Governor.
Student Supports.
Increasing eligibility for child care and early learning programs for homeless and other vulnerable children.		 5820 companion to HB 1574 Nguyen (D-34) SRules 3
Student Supports.
Concerning the immigration status of students.		 5834 companion to HB 1779 Hunt (D-22) SEL/K-12
Student Supports.
Investing in educational mentor programs.		 5859 companion to HB 1281 Mullet (D-35) SWays & Means
Student Supports.
Funding rural satellite skill centers.		 5874 Warnick (R-13) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.
Student Supports.
Concerning children's mental health.		 5903 companion to 1876 Darnelle (D-26) Governor signed. Effective date 7/28/2019.