Invest

Initiative 2081, to establish a Parents Bill of Rights in Washington State

About the Author
Liv Finne
Director Emeritus, Center for Education

Key Findings

  1. Initiative Measure 2081 is a citizens’ initiative that would establish a parents’ bill of rights.
  2. Parents would have the right to be informed about educational and medical information related to their children. 
  3. Initiative 2081 would require the public schools to provide the textbooks, curriculum and supplemental material used in their child’s classroom. 
  4. The measure would require public schools to provide parents access to all records related to their children, including information that schools currently hide from parents. 
  5. The measure would require public schools to inform parents when medical services are being offered to their child, except where emergency medical treatment is required. 
  6. Initiative 2081 would require public school officials to affirm that they will not discriminate against children based on the religious beliefs of the child’s family. 
  7. Initiative 2081 would require public schools to allow children to opt out of surveys and activities related to sexual behavior, family’s beliefs, religion, or political affiliation.
  8. The measure would require public schools to inform parents about the school calendar, school dress code, and their child’s academic performance.

Introduction

A group of concerned citizens called Let’s Go Washington has gathered enough signatures to present a people’s initiative to the legislature, Initiative 2081, which would require public school officials to provide parents with educational and medical information about their child. Initiative sponsors needed to collect 324,516 valid signatures (8% of the votes cast in the last election for governor) by December 31st to submit the measure for consideration in the 2024 legislative session.

Initiative 2081 supporters collected 454,372 signatures. On January 18, 2024 the Secretary of State certified that the measure had enough valid signatures to qualify. Lawmakers must debate and consider the initiative during the 2024 session. 

READ THE FULL LEGISLATIVE MEMO HERE

Sign up for the WPC Newsletter

 

Share