The bill aims to enhance the collection of demographic data by state agencies in Washington to better assess the effectiveness and equity of state-supported programs. It mandates that all state agencies collect voluntary self-identification demographic data that goes beyond the minimum categories established by the federal Office of Management and Budget's statistical policy directive number 15. This includes disaggregating categories such as Asian into specific ethnicities like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino, among others. The bill emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse needs of different demographic groups and requires agencies to report on the data collected, including the reasoning behind the chosen categories, starting from June 30, 2025.

Additionally, the bill reenacts and amends existing law regarding the collection of student-level data by the superintendent of public instruction and school districts. It updates the requirements to align with the new federal guidelines and specifies that data must be disaggregated by various subgroups, including Middle Eastern/North African students. The bill also allows agencies to request exemptions or variances from the detailed data collection requirements if justified. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the quality and granularity of demographic data collected by state agencies to ensure better analysis and understanding of equity in state programs.