The bill establishes a streamlined system for handling complaints related to public elementary and secondary education in Washington State, mandating the creation of a centralized access point for complaints by July 1, 2025. This access point, managed by the office of the education ombuds, will allow individuals with firsthand knowledge of violations to submit complaints, which will then be assigned a unique identifier and referred to the appropriate entity for resolution. The bill also requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction and educational service districts to provide prominent links to this access point on their websites. Additionally, public schools must inform students and their families about the services of the education ombuds during enrollment and provide access to the complaint resolution process.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a code of educator ethics aimed at establishing a common framework for ethical standards among educators in Washington. By September 1, 2025, the Washington professional educator standards board and the paraeducator board are tasked with reporting on the development of this code, including recommendations for legislative action if necessary. The bill also amends existing laws regarding the use of physical discipline in educational settings, clarifying the conditions under which such actions are lawful. It includes provisions for the expiration of the code of educator ethics section by June 30, 2026, and stipulates that the act will be null and void if specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9A.16.100
Substitute Bill: 9A.16.100
Second Substitute: 9A.16.100
Third Substitute: 28A.600.510, 9A.16.100
Fourth Substitute: 28A.600.510, 9A.16.100
Engrossed Fourth Substitute: 28A.600.510, 9A.16.100
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28A.600.510, 9A.16.100
Session Law: 28A.600.510, 9A.16.100