This bill seeks to strengthen the prevention and response mechanisms for harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools by requiring the development and dissemination of comprehensive policies and complaint procedures. It mandates the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to create model language for student handbooks that includes information on discrimination policies and resources available through the Office of the Education Ombuds. School districts must adopt this model language into their handbooks and websites by the 2024-25 school year and designate a primary contact to ensure compliance with nondiscrimination laws and manage related complaints. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of school districts regarding sexual harassment and bullying policies, emphasizing the need for these policies to be communicated to students, parents, and guardians.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that changes the terminology from "emergency expulsion" to "emergency removal" to better reflect the temporary nature of the action. It requires the Office of the Superintendent to inform school districts of this change and allows students previously emergency expelled to request a revision of their records. The bill also mandates the Washington state school directors' association to work with the Office of the Superintendent to develop a model transgender student policy by September 1, 2019, and create online training materials for school staff by December 31, 2020. Furthermore, it includes amendments to ensure that student data is collected in a disaggregated manner and emphasizes the provision of educational services during suspensions or expulsions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.300.042, 28A.600.015
Substitute Bill: 28A.300.042, 28A.600.015
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28A.642.080, 28A.600.477, 28A.600.510, 28A.300.042, 28A.600.015
Session Law: 28A.642.080, 28A.600.477, 28A.600.510, 28A.300.042, 28A.600.015