Rewrite of parental rights law passes Washington House

Washington House lawmakers, for nearly five hours on Monday, battled through the latest round of debate in the state Legislature over parental rights.

Democrats say the bill they approved is needed to clarify parts of a citizen initiative that the Legislature passed last year and to align it with other state and federal laws. Republicans frame the effort as a strategy to gut the earlier measure, which lays out certain rights for the parents of public school students.

The bill passed on a 56-39 vote, with one Democrat, Rep. Adison Richards, of Gig Harbor, joining Republicans to oppose the bill. Democrats at one point invoked a rule to halt debate on amendments, which sped up proceedings but also blocked Republicans from voicing concerns.

“Not every child in this state or in this country has the benefit of parents who are loving, who are supportive, who are there for them,” said Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, who chairs the House Education Committee.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/14/rewrite-of-parental-rights-law-passes-washington-house/