Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2594: Unhoused children/education
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
Ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education.
What the bill says
An act Relating to ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education that is provided to other children and youths; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; and creating a new section. STATE POLICY NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. It shall be the policy of the state of Washington (2) When requirements of law, practice, or policy, including compulsory residency requirements, create barriers to the identification of or to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths, the office of the superintendent o.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to ensuring that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education that is provided to other children and youths; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; and creating a new section. STATE POLICY NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. It shall be the policy of the state of Washington (2) When requirements of law, practice, or policy, including compulsory residency requirements, create barriers to the identification of or to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths, the office of the superintendent of public instruction and school districts must review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths; (3) Homelessness is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment; and (4) Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging state academic standards to which all students are held. DEFINITIONS NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Enroll" and "enrollment" …