We’re Suing WA to Protect Youth in Public Schools

In partnership with the QLaw Foundation and the ACLU of Washington, we’re suing to block Initiative 2081, which would strip away youth privacy rights, stifle conversations about diversity, and violate the Washington State Constitution.

I-2081 was backed by Let’s Go Washington, a group financed by conservative megadonor Brian Heywood. Supporters call it a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” but that framing is misleading. One of its main effects is to jeopardize students’ ability to get support at school.

Lawmakers passed I-2081 in March, and it’s scheduled to become law in early June. Here’s a breakdown of three reasons why we’re fighting to stop it:

1. I-2081 threatens access to confidential, life-saving care.

Many young people can’t safely talk with their parents about their sexuality, gender identity, mental health, and reproductive health. For these students, the right to privacy is essential when accessing health care, counseling, and support at school.

I-2081 would take away this right to privacy by expanding parents’ access to student records. Without the promise of confidentiality, we can expect many vulnerable students to feel unsafe asking for help.

2. I-2081 undermines inclusive education.

This June, Washington will implement the Inclusive Learning Standards Bill. This important law will ensure students learn about the contributions of historically marginalized groups.

Unfortunately, I-2081 will block this progress. Under the initiative, school staff would have to notify parents any time they ask about “family beliefs, morality, religion, or political affiliations.” This requirement would make it more difficult to talk about race, gender, and many other topics. We know these discussions help make school a more welcoming place for Washington’s diverse communities.

3. I-2081 violates the Washington State Constitution.

To ensure that the meaning of a new law is clear, the Washington constitution requires that new laws identify if they change existing laws. But I-2081 doesn’t do that.

Instead, the initiative names fifteen confusing parental rights. Some of these rights duplicate existing law, and some make significant changes that threaten youth safety. At no point does the initiative identify these issues or explain how to resolve them. This leaves our students unsure of their rights and schools unsure of their obligations.

“2081 is intentionally harmful to our most vulnerable students. From its vague language to its misleading framing, it is a dangerous bill that targets students who need confidential support — from queer youth to youth survivors of sexual violence, to youth who need reproductive or mental health care — and it interferes with the inclusive curricula that all our students deserve.”

— Julia Marks, Washington Litigation Attorney at Legal Voice