With every Republican lawmaker opposing the plan, it passed quite precisely along party lines. Leading opponent of the legislation, Rep.
Travis Couture (R-Allyn) referred to HB 1296 as a “slap in the face to democracy” and attacked colleagues across the spectrum for erasing a bill they had earlier supported.
“We have seen a shockingly high degree of sexual misbehavior and sexual assaults by educators in our schools just in the last year,” Couture remarked during floor debate.
The Democratic majority rejected his amendment calling for instantaneous parental notification should a student be sexually assaulted by a school staff member.
Conservative leaders have criticised the bill’s passage and signing nationally.
Former President Donald Trump said on Truth Social, “Washington State Democrats voted not to inform parents if a child is sexually abused by a school employee,” while Sen.
