BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5956

SB 5956: AI use/student discipline

Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.

Summary

Prohibits school districts, public schools, the State School for the Blind, and the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth from using automated decision systems, facial recognition services and other school surveillance technology, or biometric data to make certain decisions or take specified actions.
Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to update its guidance on using artificial intelligence in schools to address these requirements, and requires the Washington State School Directors' Association to develop a corresponding model policy and procedure aligned with that guidance and addressing specified topics.
Requires each third party subject to the bill's provisions to annually attest that its products, services, and data practices comply with the prohibitions and requirements of the bill.
Commissions a report to the Legislature that includes findings and recommendations regarding the implementation of this bill and other specified topics.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5956), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House

AN ACT Relating to artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools;

Passed February 10, 2026

Version voted on: SSB 5956

35 Yea 13 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	30	0	0	0
Republican	5	13	0	1

How each member voted

Mar 12, 2026By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (SSB 5956)
Feb 25, 2026Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5956)
Feb 24, 2026ED - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5956)
Feb 24, 2026Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5956)
Feb 24, 2026ED - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5956)
Feb 24, 2026Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5956)
Feb 12, 2026First reading, referred to Education. (SSB 5956)
Feb 10, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5956)
Feb 10, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5956)
Feb 10, 20261st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5956)
Feb 10, 20261st substitute bill substituted.
Feb 4, 2026Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5956)
Feb 4, 2026Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Jan 23, 2026Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5956)
Jan 23, 2026Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 22, 2026EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5956)
Jan 22, 2026Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5956)
Jan 22, 2026Minority; without recommendation.
Jan 22, 2026EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 12, 2026First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.
Dec 31, 2025Prefiled for introduction.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5956 (2023–24) Enrichment levies limit · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5956 (2021–22) Insurance data security · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5956 (2019–20) Livestock inspection · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5956 (2017–18) Superdelegates · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5956 (2015–16) Victim identity defenses · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5956 (2013–14) Short-barreled rifles · Enacted · Chapter 201, Laws of 2014
SB 5956 (2011–12) Collection agencies · Enacted · Chapter 29, Laws of 2011, 1st Special Session
SB 5956 (2009–10) Animal ID system · Did not pass · died in committee