Inside Washington State's Controversial Student Rights Bill

In 2024, Washington voters passed Initiative 2081, the Parents' Bill of Rights, expanding parental access to educational and medical records. But in 2025, lawmakers enacted House Bill 1296, significantly altering the initiative. The new law adds a Statement of Student Rights and new protections for school staff, while limiting parental access to certain records and extending response timelines. Supporters argue it balances student safety with federal standards. Critics claim it undermines the will of over 400,000 voters.