2026 WaSHINGTOn State Legislative Session​

The 2026 regular ​session was held January 12th–March 12th.

These bills have passed the House & Senate!
They are waiting for the Governor to sign.

• ESHB 1295・Using evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students.

• E3SHB 1634・Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.

• ESHB 1795・Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.

• ESHB 2165・Concerning false identification as a peace officer.

• ESHB 2225・Regulating artificial intelligence companion chatbots.

• ESHB 2320・Concerning the regulation of firearm manufacturing.

• 2SHB 2429・Supporting children and youth behavioral health.

• ESHB 2557・Providing parental access to special education evaluation reports.

• SHB 2594・Ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education.

• SB 5872・Establishing the preK promise account.

• SSB 5855・Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers.

• 2SSB 5969・Reducing duplication between high school and beyond plans and individualized education program transition plans.

• ESSB 5998・Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.

• SBB 6005・Making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.

• ESSB 6113・Concerning taxes administered by the department of revenue.

• ESSB 6260・Implementing efficiencies and programming changes in public education.

• SB 6346・Establishing a tax on millionaires.

These bills are “dead.”
They will not become law in this biennium.

• HB 1152・Enhancing public safety by establishing secure storage requirements for firearms in vehicles and residences. x-file

• HB 1834・ESSB 5708・Protecting Washington children online. x-file

• SHB 2132・Concerning applications for state financial aid.

• HB 2297・Incentivizing grocery stores located in underserved communities.

• HB 2365・Advancing digital opportunities for all.

• HB 2597・Concerning remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights occurring during immigration enforcement.

• HB 2636・Requiring reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system.

• E2SHB 2637・Safeguarding personal information entrusted to agencies that is of no legitimate concern to the public.

• HB 2648・Concerning state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement officials.

• E2SSB 5098・Restricting the possession of weapons on the premises of state or local public buildings, parks or playground facilities where children are likely to be present, and county fairs and county fair facilities.

• SB 5177・Considering the experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.

• SSB 5574・Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools. x-file

• SB 5860・Concerning school board compensation. x-file

• SB 5906・Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents.

• SB 5956・Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.

• SB 6351・Increasing fiscal resources for students and children by providing targeted sales tax exemptions for schools and certain before-and-after school care programs and arts and cultural classes.

Kick off the 2026 Legislative Session with SCPTSA!

2025 Selected Reports

K–12 Funding Equity Workgroup 2025 Annual Report
The 2025 Legislature established the K–12 Funding Equity Workgroup to analyze K–12 education funding formulas and revenue sources and explore options for revisions to the funding formula that are responsive to student needs, including economic, demographic, and geographic differences in student and community populations. This report provides a summary of the Workgroup’s progress through October 2025, and State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s recommendations for the Legislature on actions for the 2026 Legislative Session.
Authorizing legislation: House Bill 2049 (2025)

High School and Beyond Plan Platform
OSPI has formulated a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at expanding the universal online High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) platform in Washington state to engage students from the fifth grade onwards. Additionally, the report discusses future considerations regarding resource allocation, including the potential involvement of elementary school counselors in facilitating and supporting this expanded access. 
Authorizing legislation: RCW 28A.230.215

Statewide Individualized Education Program System Feasibility Study Report
In accordance with legislative direction, OSPI conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the implementation of a statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) system. The study explored the current state of IEP systems in Washington, identified challenges to delivering high-quality, equitable special education services, assessed potential vendors and costs, and a recommended path forward to improve outcomes for students with disabilities across the state.
Authorizing legislation: SB 5950, Sec. 501(2)(d)

UPDATE: Reducing Restraint & Eliminating Isolation
This report summarizes activities undertaken by OSPI’s Reducing Restraint & Eliminating Isolation (RREI) project during fiscal year 2025, as mandated through 2023’s biennial operating budget and 2024’s supplemental operating budget. Demonstration projects incorporate “Pilot site” districts that strategically engage in the process of building systems of support, and “Demonstration site” districts that serve as learning communities to share their stories and highlight exemplary practices within these systems. Their outcomes have revealed promising practices and effective strategies for improving school safety and reducing the use of restraint and isolation. 71% of project sites decreased incidents of restraint and isolation in school year 2024-25, as compared to the previous school year. This decrease in incidents was statistically significant. 
Authorizing legislation: ESSB 5950, Sec. 501(4)(mm)

UPDATE: Student Transportation Allocation Determination
OSPI annually submits a report outlining the method used in determining the coefficients for each site characteristic used to establish the transportation allocation for the following year. The 2025–26 regression analysis for coefficients will use data elements from the previous school year. The coefficients are then used in the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS) formula which will determine the 2025–26 school year allocation. 
Authorizing legislation: RCW 28A.160.180(4)