Below are bills related to education that we tracked during the 2021 legislative session. This page was updated weekly. For questions about our bill tracker, please contact us.
2021 Education bills
- Bills that League of Education Voters is watching closely
- List of education bills in the House
- List of education bills in the Senate
Bills that League of Education Voters were watching closely
Below were bills of high interest.
| Summary | Bill | Lead Sponsors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountability. Extending the time frame for establishing charter public schools. | 1195 | Dolan (D-22) | In committee |
| Accountability. Promoting awareness of the governor's office of the education ombuds. | 5376 | Wilson C (D-30) | In committee |
| Early Learning. Expanding accessible affordable child care and early childhood development programs. | 1213 companion to SB 5237 | Senn (D-41) | In committee |
| Early Learning. Expanding accessible affordable child care and early childhood development programs. | 5237 companion to HB 1213 | Wilson (D-30) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through state actions supported by federal funding. | 1368 companion to SB 5344 | Ormsby (D-3) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through state actions supported by federal funding. | 5344 companion to HB 1368 | Rolfes (D-23) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning student transportation funding during a local state or national emergency. | 5128 | Wellman (D-41) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Increasing language access in public schools. | 1153 | Orwall (D-33) | In committee |
| Student Supports. Modifying the Learning Assistance Program. | 1208 | Santos (D-37) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Concerning school-based health centers. | 1225 | Stonier (D-49) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
House Bills
Below are education-related bills that were introduced in the House.
Summary Bill Lead Sponsors Status
Accountability.
Concerning the powers and duties of educational service district boards.1066 Stonier (D-49) In committee
Accountability.
Concerning the time frame for establishing charter schools.1079 Dolan (D-22) In committee
Accountability.
Extending the time frame for establishing charter schools.1195 Dolan (D-22) In committee
Accountability.
Concerning school district elections.1226 Stonier (D-49) In committee
Accountability.
Concerning bond authorization training for school district boards of directors.1306 Sells (D-38) In committee
Accountability.
Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names symbols or images as public school mascots logos or team names.1356 Lekanoff (D-40) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Accountability.
Adding a graduate student to the student achievement council.1472 Slatter (D-48) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Accountability.
Concerning the statewide first responder building mapping information system.1484 Dolan (D-22) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Accountability.
Establishing regional apprenticeship programs through educational service districts.1536 Maycumber (R-7) In committee
COVID Response.
Concerning creation of the statewide pandemic preparation and response task force.1340 Lovick (D-44) In committee
COVID Response.
Concerning safely reopening Washington.1321 companion to SB 5114 MacEwen (R-35) In committee
COVID Response.
Preserving public school resources during the COVID-19 emergency.1338 Harris (R-17) In committee
COVID Response.
Ensuring that critical school employees receive priority for receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine.1420 MacEwen (R-35) In committee
COVID Response.
Providing trauma-informed counseling and supports to students who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.1444 Rule (D-42) In committee
COVID Response.
Addressing enrollment declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1476 Dolan (D-22) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Curriculum.
Reporting on updating and expanding deployment of existing government programs that provide education on bicycle and pedestrian travel.1039 McCaslin (R-4) In committee
Curriculum.
Concerning the public health knowledge of students in public school.1149 Pollet (D-46) In committee
Curriculum.
Extending comprehensive sexual health education compliance dates by one year.1422 MacEwen (R-35) In committee
Curriculum.
Concerning agriculture food and natural resource education.1544 Klippert (R-8) In committee
Dual Credit.
Concerning college in the high school programs.1302 Berg (D-44) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Early Learning.
Expanding accessible affordable child care and early childhood development programs.1213 companion to SB 5237 Senn (D-41) In committee
Early Learning.
Defining family resource centers.1237 Eslick (R-39) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Early Learning.
Suspending certain licensing requirements for child care providers.1278 Dent (R-13) In committee
Early Learning.
Concerning early learning facility impact fees.1331 Harris-Talley (D-37) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Early Learning.
Concerning grants for early learning facilities.1370 Callan (D-5) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Early Learning.
Concerning day care expenses paid by child support.1397 Klippert (R-8) In committee
Early Learning.
Concerning the entitlement date and definition for the early childhood education and assistance program.1451 Sullivan (D-47) In committee
Early Learning.
Concerning illegal unlicensed child care.1454 Gregerson (D-33) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Concerning health care coverage for retired or disabled school employees.1040 Dolan (D-22) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Removing only one of the restrictions on the use of civil legal aid funds.1072 Lekanoff (D-40) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Finance & Funding.
Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations.1093 companion to SB 5091 Ormsby (D-3) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.1094 companion to SB 5092 Ormsby (D-3) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Providing parents and their children with more choices for a quality K-12 education through the K-12 education scholarship program.1215 Kraft (R-17) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Establishing an educational grant program to promote confidence public speaking and leadership skills in students.1270 Young (R-26) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Exempting school districts from the state portion of sales and use taxes on school construction.1235 Young (R-26) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Concerning basic education salary review and rebase.1266 Sullivan (D-47) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Providing property tax relief by reducing both parts of the state school levies based on an amount that approximates the fiscal impact of extraordinary growth in property values that exceeded the valuation growth assumptions of budget writers when part two of the state school levy was enacted.1358 Orcutt (R-20) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and instructional staff.1365 Gregerson (D-33) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Finance & Funding.
Assisting Washington student athletes by prioritizing athletic scholarship funding.1390 Walsh (R-19) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Concerning programs for highly capable students.1404 Vick (R-18) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches.1342 Berg (D-44) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Finance & Funding.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through state actions supported by federal funding.1368 companion to SB 5344 Ormsby (D-3) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Finance & Funding.
Promoting access to outdoor education.1466 Rule (D-42) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Creating a more progressive tax system in Washington by enacting an excise tax on sales and extraordinary profits of high valued assets.1496 Senn (D-41) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Concerning regular financial audits of school districts.1500 Sullivan (D-47) In committee
Finance & Funding.
Modifying the workforce education investment act.1504 Chopp (D-43) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Finance & Funding.
Concerning skill center class size.1415 Paul (D-10) In committee
Graduation Requirements.
Concerning the emergency waiver of graduation requirements.1121 Santos (D-37) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Graduation Requirements.
Concerning high school graduation credit and pathway options.1162 Stonier (D-49) In committee
Graduation Requirements.
Increasing the number of United States history and government credits required for graduation from a public high school.1396 Dufault (R-15) In committee
Graduation Requirements.
Promoting alternative methods for the earning of physical education credit.1452 Mosbrucker (R-14) In committee
Local Levies/LEA.
Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments.1189 companion to SB 5211 Duerr (D-1) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Local Levies/LEA.
Eliminating the state property tax levies over four years.1371 Sutherland (R-39) In committee
Local Levies/LEA.
Procuring and supporting the use of appropriate computers and devices for public school students and instructional staff by levying a tax on wireless devices.1450 Gregerson (D-33) In committee
New Revenue.
Modifying the sales and use tax for cultural access programs by allowing the tax to be imposed by a councilmanic or commission authority and defining timelines and priorities for action.1058 Bateman (D-22) In committee
Other K-12.
Concerning the emergency waiver of instructional hours and days at private schools.1131 Rude (R-16) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Concerning the completion of supervised experience through distance supervision.1007 Klippert (R-8) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Allowing additional renewals for behavioral health professional trainee and associate credentials.1063 Harris (R-17) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Notifying students of courses with low-cost instructional materials and open educational resources at the four-year institutions of higher education.1119 Jacobsen (R-25) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Ensuring price accuracy for tuition units in the guaranteed education tuition program.1138 Bergquist (D-11) In committee
Postsecondary.
Concerning access to higher education.1176 Paul (D-10) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges.1318 Pollet (D-46) In committee
Postsecondary.
Expanding scholarships for community and technical college students.1425 Taylor (D-30) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Postsecondary.
Increasing student access to mental health counseling and services at community and technical colleges.1468 Slatter (D-48) In committee
Postsecondary.
Expanding Washington college grant awards.1517 Hansen (D-23) In committee
Special Education.
Concerning youth eligible for developmental disability services who are expected to exit the child welfare system.1061 Senn (D-41) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning student health plans.1009 Thai (D-41) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Promoting a safe learning environment for students with seizure disorders.1085 Kloba (D-1) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning school attendance.1113 companion to SB 5153 Ortiz-Self (D-21) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Increasing language access in public schools.1153 Orwall (D-33) In committee
Student Supports.
Modifying the Learning Assistance Program.1208 Santos (D-37) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Providing K-12 public school safety and security services by classified staff or contractors.1214 Senn (D-41) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning school-based health centers.1225 Stonier (D-49) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Providing public education to youth in or released from institutional education facilities.1295 Callan (D-5) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health.1325 Callan (D-5) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Expanding access to the homeless and foster care college students pilot program.1166 Leavitt (D-28) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning suicide review teams.1354 Mosbrucker (R-14) In committee
Student Supports.
Requiring school districts to prioritize the resumption of in-person instruction to certain students following an emergency.1366 Caldier (R-26) In committee
Student Supports.
Promoting student access to information about behavioral health resources.1373 Callan (D-5) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Encouraging youth participation in fishing and shellfishing.1431 Rule (D-42) In committee
Student Supports.
Taking action to address lead in drinking water.1139 Pollet (D-46) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Standardizing homelessness definitions.1221 Rule (D-42) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning menstrual products in schools.1273 companion to SB 5070 Berg (D-44) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Concerning juvenile rehabilitation.1186 Goodman (D-45) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Creating prison to postsecondary education pathways.1044 Leavitt (D-28) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Protecting the rights of families responding to allegations of abuse or neglect of a child.1227 Ortiz-Self (D-21) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Implementing the national 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services.1477 Orwall (D-33) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Student Supports.
Authorizing certain school employees to carry firearms on school grounds.1481 Chase (R-4) In committee
Student Supports.
Concerning exceptional foster care maintenance payments.1347 Caldier (R-26) In committee
Teacher Workforce.
Concerning evaluation and recommendation of candidates for residency teacher certification.1028 Bergquist (D-11) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Teacher Workforce.
Concerning early retirement options for members of the teachers' retirement system and school employees' retirement system plans 2 and 3.1032 Harris (R-17) In committee
Teacher Workforce.
Addressing secondary trauma in the K-12 workforce.1363 Ortiz-Self (D-21) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Teacher Workforce.
Adjusting experience factors for certificated instructional staff.1419 Dolan (D-22) In committee
Teacher Workforce.
Specifying minimum continuing education requirements for administrator and teacher certificate renewals that focus on equity-based school and classroom practices.1426 Santos (D-37) Signed by Governor - Session Law
Senate Bills
Below are education-related bills that were introduced in the Senate.
| Summary | Bill | Lead Sponsors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountability. Concerning school district consultation with local tribes. | 5252 | Wellman (D-41) | In committee |
| Accountability. Concerning qualifications for school board directors. | 5340 | Salomon (D-32) | In committee |
| Accountability. Promoting awareness of the governor's office of the education ombuds. | 5376 | Wilson C (D-30) | In committee |
| Accountability. Concerning school district elections. | 5386 | Randall (D-26) | In committee |
| Accountability. Increasing transparency in levy authorization information provided by school districts. | 5334 | Dozier (R-16) | In committee |
| Accountability. Extending the time frame for establishing charter schools. | 5443 | Mullet (D-5) | In committee |
| Accountability. Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names symbols or images as public school mascots logos or team names. | 5450 | Ericksen (R-42) | In committee |
| COVID Response. Establishing transparent school opening metrics tied to COVID-19 prevalence. | 5037 | Braun (R-20) | In committee |
| COVID Response. Concerning safely reopening Washington. | 5114 | Braun (R-20) | In committee |
| Curriculum. Requiring students to study political systems and the negative effects of communism. | 5374 | Honeyford (R-15) | In committee |
| Curriculum. Teaching Washington's tribal history culture and government. | 5161 | Wellman (D-41) | In committee |
| Early Learning. Concerning working connections child care eligibility and unemployment benefits. | 5023 | Wilson (D-30) | In committee |
| Early Learning. Concerning foster care and child care licensing by the department of children youth and families. | 5151 | Wilson (D-30) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Early Learning. Expanding accessible affordable child care and early childhood development programs. | 5237 companion to HB 1213 | Wilson (D-30) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Early Learning. Prohibiting fees for child care licenses. | 5136 | Wilson C (D-30) | In committee |
| Early Learning.Establishing an early childhood court program for young children and their families involved or at risk of becoming involved in Washington's child welfare system. | 5331 | Gildon (R-25) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees including those participating in the shared work program. | 5021 | Hunt (D-22) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Providing housing to school district employees. | 5043 | Salomon (D-32) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning student transportation funding during a local state or national emergency. | 5128 | Wellman (D-41) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Providing flexibility in the distribution and use of local funds dedicated to facilities used for youth educational programming. | 5080 | Carlyle (D-36) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations. | 5091 companion to HB 1093 | Rolfes (D-23) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations. | 5092 companion to HB 1094 | Rolfes (D-23) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Providing school districts serving low-income communities with flexibility in financing their facilities. | 5181 | Honeyford (R-15) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Establishing school district depreciation subfunds for the purposes of preventative maintenance. | 5202 | Schoesler (R-9) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Establishing a K-12 education voucher program. | 5205 | Schoesler (R-9) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Exempting homeowners from the state and local enrichment property tax levies if their children attend private or home school. | 5257 | Fortunato (R-31) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Prohibiting dual enrollment between school employees' benefits board and public employees' benefits board programs. | 5322 | Robinson (D-38) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through state actions supported by federal funding. | 5344 companion to HB 1368 | Rolfes (D-23) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Freezing wage and salaries and providing for furlough days during the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium. | 5323 | Rolfes (D-23) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning health and pension benefits for school bus drivers employed by private nongovernmental entities. | 5326 | Robinson (D-38) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Increasing access to the Washington opportunity scholarship program. | 5288 | Liias (D-21) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning unanticipated revenue. | 5162 | Rolfes (D-23) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship. | 5242 | Liias (D-21) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning an excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets. | 5096 | Robinson (D-38) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Finance & Funding. Concerning the funding of salaries of school district superintendents. | 5442 | Van De Wege (D-24) | In committee |
| Finance & Funding. Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations and 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations. | 5451 | Wilson L (R-17) | In committee |
| Graduation Requirements. Allowing the use of computer science credits for the purpose of graduation requirements. | 5299 | Wellman (D-41) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Local Levies/LEA. Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments. | 5211 companion to HB 1189 | Frockt (D-46) | In committee |
| New Revenue. Establishing a tax credit for contributions to student scholarship organizations. | 5200 | Schoesler (R-9) | In committee |
| Other K-12. Exploring alternative school calendars. | 5147 | Hawkins (R-12) | In committee |
| Other K-12. Declaring January as Chinese American history month and encouraging public schools to commemorate the month. | 5264 | Wagoner (R-39) | In committee |
| Other K-12. Requiring the option of in-person learning unless prohibited by the governor secretary of health or a local health officer. | 5464 | Wilson L (R-17) | In committee |
| Postsecondary. Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges. | 5194 | Liias (D-21) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Postsecondary. Increasing the maximum Washington college grant award at independent institutions of higher education. | 5215 | Conway (D-29) | In committee |
| Postsecondary. Requiring diversity equity inclusion and antiracism training and assessments at institutions of higher education. | 5227 | Randall (D-26) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Postsecondary. Expanding access to the college bound scholarship. | 5321 | Nobles (D-28) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Postsecondary. Authorizing community and technical colleges to offer bachelor degrees in computer science. | 5401 | Nguyen (D-34) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Postsecondary. Concerning the advanced college tuition payment program. | 5430 | Mullet (D-5) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Postsecondary. Creating the Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship. | 5431 | Randall (D-26) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Developing comprehensive school counseling programs. | 5030 | Mullet (D-5) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Concerning professional learning equity cultural competency and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system. | 5044 | Das (D-47) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Concerning school attendance. | 5153 companion to HB 1113 | Wilson (D-30) | In committee |
| Student Supports. Establishing a building point of contact in all K-12 public schools for students in foster care. | 5184 | Nobles (D-28) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Supporting mastery-based learning. | 5249 | Wellman (D-41) | Signed by Governor - Session Law |
| Student Supports. Creating a confidential youth safety and well-being tip line. | 5327 | Brown (R-8) | In committee |
| Student Supports. Concerning menstrual products in schools. | 5070 companion to HB 1273 | Rivers (R-18) | In committee |
| Student Supports. Creating a bridge year pilot program. | 5265 | Hunt (D-22) | In committee |
| Teacher Workforce. Concerning teacher certification. | 5057 | Hasegawa (D-11) | In committee |
| Teacher Workforce. Creating teaching endorsements in computer science. | 5389 | Wellman (D-41) | In committee |
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