OLYMPIA — Parts of a new law outlining information that Washington parents can get from public schools are on hold after a judge’s ruling Friday.
Initiative 2081, passed by state lawmakers in March, is known as the “parents’ bill of rights.” It lays out information to which a parent of a child in a Washington public school is entitled, including instructional materials and information about medical treatment. It includes 15 total rights.
In late May, the ACLU of Washington, QLaw and Legal Voice sued the state on behalf of 10 nonprofit organizations, arguing that the law ran afoul of Washington’s Constitution.
The law took effect June 6. On Friday, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott paused parts of it while the lawsuit is pending.
“We are pleased with this ruling as it will prevent parts of I-2081 from causing further harm while we seek a final decision in this case — but this is not the end,” said Adrien Leavitt, staff attorney for the ACLU of Washington. “We will keep fighting this case in hopes of a final judgment that shows this harmful law violates the state constitution and should not be implemented or enforced.”
A provision concerning how and when schools must respond to records requests from parents was placed on hold, as well as a provision that allows a parent to access their student’s medical and mental health records.
The initiative “gave parents this new right to get any medical or mental health records related to their students that appear in schools, and that contradicts the fact that Washington youth have a right to confidential health care,” said Julia Marks, litigation attorney at Legal Voice.
Other provisions of the law remain, including a part that gives parents the ability to opt their children out of assignments, role-playing activities, surveys and other “student engagements” that include questions about topics such as morality, religion, sexuality and politics.
