Bill > HB1855

This bill expands protections for students in Washington public schools by adding comprehensive definitions and prohibiting discrimination based on a broader range of personal characteristics. The bill introduces definitions for terms like "gender expression" (external appearance of gender identity), "gender identity" (internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither), "immigration status" (legal condition related to residency), "neurodivergence" (neurological differences like autism or ADHD), and "sexual orientation" (patterns of romantic or sexual attraction). The legislature's findings emphasize that discrimination can create hostile learning environments that negatively impact student mental health, and that inclusive schools can improve outcomes, particularly for marginalized students. Specifically, the bill amends existing anti-discrimination laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on new categories including ethnicity, homelessness, immigration status, and neurodivergence, in addition to previously protected characteristics like race, sexual orientation, and disability. The bill aims to ensure that Washington schools provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their personal characteristics or backgrounds, and to proactively address potential gaps in federal protections.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1855&Year=2025&Initiative=false