Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5956: AI use/student discipline
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Addressing artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.
What the bill says
An act Relating to artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools; amending RCW 43.386.080; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.345 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.710 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.715 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools; amending RCW 43.386.080; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.345 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.710 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.715 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that an increasing number of public schools throughout the United States are beginning to use artificial intelligence, automated decision systems, and surveillance technologies in ways that can affect student discipline and school safety. (2) The legislature further finds that such tools can amplify existing disparities in student discipline and may result in disproportionate monitoring and punishment of Black students, indigenous students, students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ students, and other students protected under chapters 49.60, 28A.640, and 28A.642 RCW. (3) The legislature recognizes that Washington state has enacted student privacy protections, including in chapter 28A.604 RCW and RCW 28A.605.030, and that the office of the superintendent of public instruction has issued guidance on human-centered artificial intelligence in education. However, existing laws and guidance do not expressly address the use of artificial intelligence in automated decision systems in student discipline and surveillance. (4) Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature in this initial act …
Sponsors
- T'wina Nobles (D) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Wellman (D)
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Tina Orwall (D)
- Jesse Salomon (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
- Vandana Slatter (D)
- Javier Valdez (D)
- Wilson, Claire (D, 30)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : Minority; do not pass.
- : ED - Majority; do pass with amendment
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 4:00 PM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Education.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- House Committee on Education: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 10 yea, 6 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 35 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5956 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 22, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOL DIRECTORS' ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON STATE
Common questions
- What is SB5956?
- SB5956 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): AI use/student discipline.
- What does SB5956 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools; amending RCW 43.386.080; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.345 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.710 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.715 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5956?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5956?
- T'wina Nobles (D), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5956?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5956&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.