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WashingtonSB 52632025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning special education funding.

Sponsored By: Jamie Pedersen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More early intervention funding for toddlers

Beginning September 1, 2025, Washington raises the birth-to-three early intervention funding multiplier from 1.15 to 1.2. Funding uses the annual average number of eligible children receiving services and the statewide base funding per full-time student. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families distributes funds to service providers and, where appropriate, county lead agencies. A child counts for a month when they received services that month; the count day is the last business day.

New funding rules for special education

Beginning September 1, 2025, Washington removes the separate 16% special education enrollment cap. District funding uses average eligible resident enrollment, the district's base funding per full-time student, and a 1.16 multiplier. Children ages 3 and 4, and 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten, keep a separate 1.2 multiplier. The state may reserve up to 0.6% of excess-cost formula funding for statewide special education work, reducing funds available to districts.

Extra funding for inclusive pilot schools

Beginning July 27, 2025, the state must award grants to up to 20 inclusive-practice pilot schools, subject to appropriations. Grants bring each school's special education funding multiplier to 1.5 for four school years and cover qualifying special education expenses. Districts apply for schools; selections must reflect different locations and enrollment sizes, committed leaders and staff, and successful or improving practices. Schools need trained staff or a plan to train everyone by the following school year's end, plus sustained staff support. Grants are outside the state basic education program, and grant reporting begins December 1, 2026.

Online education plans for schools and families

Beginning July 27, 2025, the state must develop and maintain a statewide online system for individualized education programs, or IEPs. The model must be free for school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools. It must protect student privacy and provide secure access, accessibility features, language support, and translation. Family tools must track progress and connect education plan goals with grade-level learning standards. The system must support evidence-based goals and new technologies, with statewide training, technical help, and ongoing support for educators and families.

State reviews special education identification

Beginning July 27, 2025, the state superintendent must review school agency data yearly for disproportionate special education identification. Affected districts must submit self-reviews of student evaluations and individual education plans; the state must provide help and take necessary follow-up action. The state may offer training on including students with disabilities and matching funds for agencies choosing federally funded early intervening services. Up to 0.6% of excess-cost formula funding may support this work. Reports are due each December 1; the 2025 and 2026 reports must address how removing the enrollment cap affects safety-net needs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deborah Krishnadasan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Braun

    Republican • Senate

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tina Orwall

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 288 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/25/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/24/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 4/16/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*.

    5/19/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 368, 2025 Laws.

    5/19/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/19/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/25/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/25/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/25/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/24/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/24/2025Senate

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/24/2025Senate

  12. Returned to second reading for amendment.

    4/24/2025Senate

  13. Rules suspended.

    4/24/2025Senate

  14. House receded from amendments.

    4/24/2025House

  15. Senate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/16/2025Senate

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/16/2025Senate

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/16/2025Senate

  19. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/16/2025Senate

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  22. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/5/2025Senate

  23. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/5/2025Senate

  24. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    3/14/2025Senate

  25. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

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