Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5637: Media literacy & civic ed.
Status: Passed one chamber, February 26, 2026
Promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education.
What the bill says
An act Relating to promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education; amending RCW 28A.230.094; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education; amending RCW 28A.230.094; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that inadequate media literacy skills and limited civic knowledge have become an issue among the youth in Washington state, necessitating the deployment of media literacy and civic engagement resources in schools throughout the state. (2) The legislature further (b) The spread of realistic images or videos of people that have been altered to appear as somebody else, or "deepfakes," has fueled harmful online misinformation campaigns; (c) Media literacy training educates students on how to properly distinguish between different news sources, information, bias, and more; (d) Media literacy promotes informed engagement with media platforms and prevents polarization among community members; (e) According to a survey of young adults nationwide by the institute for citizens and scholars, percent of respondents indicated no intention to participate civically in 2024; (f) In 2022, only 46 percent of Americans could name all three branches of government; and (g) Civic engagement strengthens communities and supports democracy, and civic education helps students develop critical thinking and social skills that are vital to success. Sec. 2. RCW 28A.230.094 and 2020 c 208 s 9 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) ((Beginning with or before the …
Sponsors
- Phil Fortunato (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Senate Rules "X" file.
- : Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.
- : By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Education.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : 1st substitute bill not substituted.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 12, 2025): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5637 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 18, 2025): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Common questions
- What is SB5637?
- SB5637 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Media literacy & civic ed.
- What does SB5637 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education; amending RCW 28A.230.094; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5637?
- Passed one chamber as of February 26, 2026. Latest action: Senate Rules "X" file. (February 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5637?
- Phil Fortunato (R).
- Where is the official record for SB5637?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5637&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.