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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session is in full swing and there is much to talk about as House Republicans continue working to fix Washington. In this update, I will address the progress of my bills, an effort to make life more affordable for parents, a major change in debate rules on the House floor, and the latest on legislation from the ruling party that would essentially wipe out the parents’ bill of rights initiative passed last year.
My 2025 Legislation Progress
I have filed several bills this session. Here’s an update on their progress.
House Bill 1121 would allow a 16- or 17-year-old minor to work the same number and frequency of hours during the school year as permitted during summer, school vacations, or holidays if they meet certain requirements. The student would have to be enrolled in an approved career and technical education program and perform the work for an employer approved by the program. The House Labor and Workforce Committee held a public hearing on this bill on Tuesday, and it is scheduled for a committee vote on Friday, Feb. 14, at 10:30 a.m.
House Bill 1122 would improve students’ educational success by restricting mobile device use in public schools. Devices are becoming a constant distraction, disrupting everyone’s learning environment. This bill would require the Washington State School Directors’ Association to develop a model policy and procedures for restricting student mobile device use during class time. So far, the House Education Committee Chair has chosen not to give this bill a public hearing. Click here to listen to a recent radio interview about this legislation.
House Bill 1289 would require the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create a voluntary online survey for parents or guardians to fill out when transferring or withdrawing a student from a public school or school district. This legislation would help us determine why so many students are leaving public schools. The House Education Committee was scheduled to vote on this bill twice but took no action either time. Click here to watch a video from last year when I originally introduced this legislation.
House Bill 1637 would make every school in the state a safe place to learn. Known as the Securing Academic Facilities and Enhancing Learning (SAFE-Learn) Act, HB 1637 is made up of five key components, which would do the following:
- Create a school safety data dashboard to determine how safe schools really are and target support for struggling schools.
- Create a school safety and security grant for schools to physically secure their facilities.
- Fund a full-time school resource officer for every public school in Washington state.
- Reform school discipline law to allow teachers to maintain order in the classroom and school districts to take action against students who repeatedly disrupt learning.
- Evaluate the comprehensive school safety reforms put in place over the last five years.
Not enough is being done to ensure our students and staff feel safe. Enrollment is still down in Washington public schools, and more teachers are exiting. The lack of safety and discipline is part of the problem. Sixty-seven percent of Washington teachers surveyed said violence against them has caused them to consider leaving the profession, and at least 18% of students feel unsafe at school. This bill is still awaiting a public hearing in the House Education Committee. Click here to learn more.
Making Life More Affordable for Parents
I am also co-sponsoring House Bill 1307, which would eliminate sales tax on diapers and other baby products. Diapers cost an average of seventy dollars per month per child, and families and single parents need every break they can get. This is a real solution to fix a growing problem for so many people in Washington. Click here to learn more, and click on the image below to watch a short video about this legislation.
Parental Rights Initiative Under Attack
Two very controversial bills are currently making their way through the Legislature: House Bill House Bill 1296 and Senate Bill 5181.
Last year, Washingtonians overwhelmingly approved the Parents’ Bill of Rights (Initiative 2081), a citizen-led measure backed by nearly 450,000 signatures and bipartisan support. This initiative reinforced parents’ right to access information about their children’s education and affirmed their role as primary stakeholders.
Now, HB 1296 and SB 5181 both seek to roll back these protections. HB 1296 even includes an emergency clause, preventing citizens from challenging it through a referendum—effectively cutting voters out of the process. I strongly oppose this effort to weaken parental rights.
HB 1296 has already advanced out of the House Education Committee, despite strong Republican opposition. We introduced several amendments to protect parental rights—all of which were rejected. One key amendment would have required schools to immediately notify parents or guardians if their child is the victim of misconduct by a school employee, but Democrats voted it down.
HB 1296 is expected to be debated and voted on, on the House floor soon. If you oppose this bill, I encourage you to contact its sponsor and Democratic legislators to make your voice heard. SB 5181 was voted out of the Senate on Wednesday.
Ruling Part Weakens Open Debate
There has been significant media coverage surrounding a controversial rule change that allows a simple majority vote to end floor debate, replacing the two-thirds threshold that had been in place since 1893. This change undermines the spirit of open debate and discussion. The two-thirds rule has long protected both parties, ensuring that all voices are heard. But the majority party voted to change that this year.
Read more here:
- The Spokesman-Review – Republican lawmakers protest rule change they say could limit House debate
- The Center Square – A House Dems change 132-year-old rule requiring supermajority to end debates
- The Seattle Times – New rules adopted by WA House Democrats spark Republican ire
Please Continue Reaching Out
If I can assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s a privilege to serve you in Olympia!
Stephanie McClintock
