The bill aims to establish formal data collection protocols to better identify and support parenting students in Washington's higher education system. It recognizes the lack of a consistent system to track these students, which has led to their invisibility in policy-making and resource allocation. By improving data quality and coordination, the legislation seeks to enhance evidence-based policymaking, promote educational equity, and ultimately improve postsecondary completion rates for student parents and their families.

To implement these goals, the bill mandates the creation of a new section in chapter 28B.77 RCW, which outlines the responsibilities of a council that will collaborate with public and private not-for-profit four-year institutions to develop data collection protocols. The council is tasked with convening a work group that includes representatives from various educational and advocacy organizations to provide recommendations on identifying students' parenting status. The work group is expected to submit its recommendations by December 1, 2026, to inform the implementation of the data collection protocols.