Just before 3am today, The Washington House of Representatives wrapped up an hours-long floor debate on parental notification regarding students in school.
Party-line vote to gut the WA Parents' Bill of Rights. Not quite over yet. But a big step in the wrong direction.
Expected outcome. Still stings, though.— Jim Walsh (@JimWalshLD19) March 13, 2025
HB 1296 would water down the voter-approved I-2081, which requires parental notification if a student–for example–is sexually assaulted at school. The Democratic Party sponsored bill is loosely titled “Promoting a safe and supportive public education system” but critics say it’s deceptively titled. HB 1296 passed this morning with 56 yeas, 37 nays and 5 excused. It now goes to the State Senate in Olympia.
Initiative sponsor with Let’s Go Washington, Brian Heywood, monitored the 2am debate in the Legislature and tells KVI morning show host, John Carlson, HB 1296 has been re-named “The Student’s Bill of Rights”–removing mention of parents.
Heywood says about the bill debate,”Man, it was a dark night (in the House of Representatives) …just watching amendment after amendment–common sense amendment after amendment–get struck down with no remorse (by Democrats). And I think the agenda of the Left was really clear.”
To hear the interview with Heywood, click the play button below…
Carlson adds three points following the bill’s passage, first, how this could result in a Heywood statewide initiative to repeal HB1296 if Gov. Bob Ferguson eventually signs it into law. Second, how the WA OSPI clearly failed basic civics in school. And third, how one Spokane area school district is appealing to U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, on the trans-athlete battle in girls sports.
Amendment 444
Parents must be notified immediately if their child does not appear at school or is taken off campus
No 52 Dems
Yes 41 Repub— Brian Heywood – That Damn Mormon (@bkheywood) March 13, 2025
HB 1296
Amendment 448
Parents must be notified if any follow up care is needed for something medical that happened while at schoolNo- 52 dems
Yes 41 repubs— Brian Heywood – That Damn Mormon (@bkheywood) March 13, 2025
HB 1296 – gutting I 2081
Amendment 396 – when a medical procedure to a child for which a parent is financially responsible occurs, the parents have the right to know.
Final vote
No, they don’t have a right to know – 52 dems
Yes, parents have a right to know – 42 repubs…— Brian Heywood – That Damn Mormon (@bkheywood) March 13, 2025
The House Democrats seem to have learned that if a teacher sexually harms a child, the school must notify parents immediately
93-0 supporting an amendment requiring immediate notification
— Brian Heywood – That Damn Mormon (@bkheywood) March 13, 2025
The John Carlson Show is heard weekday mornings from 6-9 on Talk Radio 570 KVI and 101.5 FM HD3.
