Text of WA SB 5177 (2026)
Considering the experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.
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As introduced
4,357 characters
AN ACT Relating to considering the experiences of historically
1
marginalized
and
underrepresented
groups
when
identifying
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professional development resources on certain topics; amending RCW
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28A.300.479; and creating a new section.
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
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NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:
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(1) While steps have been made to make education more inclusive,
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more work must be done to address the unmet social and emotional
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needs of marginalized students;
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(2) Sixty-three percent of LGBTQ students face verbal harassment
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based on sexual orientation and 53 percent face verbal harassment
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based on gender expression as stated by the gay, lesbian, and
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straight education network;
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(3) The Trevor project finds that 42 percent of LGBTQ youth
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attempted suicide in 2021 compared to the centers for disease control
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and prevention's statistic of 22 percent of youth overall who
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attempted suicide;
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(4) According to the Trevor project, LGBTQ-affirming schools play
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a role in reducing suicidal ideation for LGBTQ students;
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(5) In 2021, 16 percent of high school students who identified as
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Native American or Alaskan Native and 14.5 percent who identified as
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S-0430.1
SENATE BILL 5177
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senators Nobles and C. Wilson
Prefiled 01/08/25.
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SB 5177
Black or African American attempted suicide. Overall, however, 10.2
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percent of youth reported attempting suicide;
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(6) In addition to their racial and/or ethnic identity, youth who
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identify with racial and ethnic minorities can have intersectional
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identities pertaining to socioeconomic status, documentation status,
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disabilities, and LGBTQ identities, making them more susceptible to
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multiple forms of discrimination;
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(7) Results from a study from the University of Cambridge
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suggests that adults with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to
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self-medicate
with
recreational
drugs
to
mask
their
unwanted
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symptoms, leading to emotional exhaustion;
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(8) The national institutes of health published that adolescents
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diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism
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spectrum disorder were up to 10 times more likely to experience
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anxiety and depression compared to their neurotypical peers; and
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(9) By expanding professional development topics to include
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various identities, schools will be better equipped to create
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inclusive environments that reduce discrimination and support the
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mental health of students.
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Sec. 2. RCW 28A.300.479 and 2019 c 386 s 6 are each amended to
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read as follows:
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(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this
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specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public
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instruction must create and publish on its website a list of
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resources available for professional development of school district
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staff on the following topics:
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(a) Social-emotional learning((, trauma-informed));
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(b) Trauma-informed practices((, recognition));
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(c)
Recognition
and
response
to
emotional
or
behavioral
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distress((, consideration));
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(d) Consideration of adverse childhood experiences((, mental));
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(e) Mental health literacy((, antibullying));
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(f) Antibullying strategies((,)); and ((culturally))
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(g) Culturally sustaining practices.
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(2) The resources described in subsection (1) of this section
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must consider the experiences of historically marginalized and
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underrepresented groups including, but not limited to, students'
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experiences with:
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(a) Sensory, mental, and physical disabilities;
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SB 5177
(b) Neurodivergence;
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(c) Gender identity and gender expression;
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(d) Sexual orientation;
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(e) Homelessness;
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(f) Race and ethnicity;
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(g) Religion;
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(h) National origin; and
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(i) Immigration status.
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(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction must
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include in the list the professional development opportunities and
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resources identified by the social-emotional learning committee
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created under RCW 28A.300.477.
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