WASHINGTON
Parental Rights Amendment Proposed
Senate Joint Resolution 8208 and House Joint Resolution 4203 have been introduced in the Washington Legislature in support of a parental rights amendment to the Constitution of the State of Washington. If passed by the Legislature, the qualified voters of the state would consider the constitutional amendment at the next general election. The language of the proposed amendment guarantees that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children shall not be infringed.
Anti-Discrimination Legislation Proposed for Home Schoolers
Senate Bill 5479, now pending in the Washington Senate, would entitle students receiving home-based instruction to transfer to a non-resident district for the purpose of participating in extra curricular activities or receiving other services to the extent that public school students are entitled to do so. This legislation would also apply to students who are attending an approved private school under Washington law. Current state law prohibits school districts from charging transfer fees or tuition for nonresident students. Also, the eligibility of transfer students for participation in extra curricular activities is subject to the requirements of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Washington law already permits home school students to participate in extra curricular activities within the school district of their residence, but the proposed legislation would permit these students to participate in the same activities in a nonresident district.
