Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has signed into law a sweeping student rights bill aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ youth from discrimination and forced outings by school staff. The legislation has sparked a strong backlash from conservative lawmakers and parents’ rights advocates.
The new law, H.B. 1296, prohibits discrimination against marginalised students, including LGBTQ+ individuals, and lays out specific procedures for filing complaints when those protections are violated. Crucially, the legislation limits parental access to students’ health care and counselling records, a move supporters say is essential to keeping vulnerable youth safe, especially those who are not out at home.
“As we work to ensure every student has the chance to thrive, the top priority for our schools should be to create a safe learning environment,” Gov. Ferguson said at the bill signing ceremony.
While the bill has been welcomed by LGBTQ+ rights advocates, it has stirred fierce opposition from some parents and Republican lawmakers who say the law infringes on parental authority. Critics argue that parents have a right to know what is happening in their children’s lives, particularly when it involves health and identity.
“This is absurd,” said parent BrieAnne Grey in an interview with KOMO News. “It should never be the government’s decision. The parents should have that knowledge so they can provide those resources for their children.”
State Sen. Nikki Torres (R) echoed these concerns, calling the bill “disrespectful” to families. “This bill will erode parents’ trust,” she warned before the measure was passed.
The bill also includes provisions for inclusive curriculum requirements, mandating the inclusion of historically accurate and diverse perspectives, particularly those of historically marginalised communities.
Bill sponsor and Democratic state Rep. Monica Jurado Stonier emphasised the importance of affirming all students. “Youth deserve a place where they can be seen and acknowledged in their full selves and experience a full curriculum,” she said. “To be able to experience a school system without discrimination is a top priority for the teachers in this state.”
Washington passed a Parent Bill of Rights in 2023 that expanded parental access to student medical and academic information. However, supporters of H.B. 1296 argue that the new law strikes a vital balance between respecting family roles and protecting students who may be at risk if outed at home.
