SB 5834: Student immigration status

Summary

• Requires that school districts, charter public schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, among other things: provide information to the parents and guardians of enrolled students regarding students' rights to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs; not collect information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members, except as otherwise required; and only provide information or access to an immigration officer after the officer presents a dated, signed judicial warrant.
• Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop training materials on the requirements described above.
• Directs the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) to develop a model policy and procedure that complies with the requirements described above.
• Directs school districts, charter public schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to adopt and enforce policies and procedures consistent with the WSSDA model policy, beginning in the 2020-21 school year, and to inform employees of the requirements described above.
• Provides that school districts, charter public schools, and state-tribal education compact schools may include information from students' education records in the student information directory only after the students' parents have provided prior written consent.

From the Engrossed House Bill Analysis 2020 (ESB 5834), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗