Increase Transparency and Accountability in Special Education

UPDATE 2/11/2026:

SB 6268 passed through committee and now awaits a vote by the Senate as a whole. We need your help to ensure this bill continues to the House of Representatives. See below for tips on how to contact your representatives and make your voice heard!

1/26/2026

Friends and Advocates,

We need your help advancing Senate Bill 6268, legislation that strengthens transparency and access to information in Washington’s special education system.

When families are navigating special education services, access to clear and reliable information matters. SB 6268 ensures families, advocates, and educators can easily access past special education complaint decisions, helping parents better understand their rights and make informed decisions when advocating for their children.

Why SB 6268 Matters

• Transparent complaint outcomes
  Families currently lack a centralized, public way to review how special education complaints have been resolved. SB 6268 requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to maintain an online record of final complaint decisions from the last 20 years.
• Supports informed advocacy
  Access to past complaint decisions helps families understand how similar issues have been addressed, empowering parents to advocate more effectively for appropriate services and supports.
• Improves accountability and consistency
  Public access to complaint outcomes promotes consistency across school districts and strengthens accountability in how special education disputes are handled statewide.
• Focuses on information access, not new mandates
  This bill does not create new service requirements or expand enforcement authority. It simply ensures transparency by making existing decisions accessible.

Strong constituent support is essential to move this bill forward.

3 Ways You Can Support SB 6268

As the bill heads to a full Senate vote, contacting your Senators directly is the most effective action you can take. You can look up your senator using the district finder or check the chart at the bottom of this alert!

Email Your Senators (Fastest Option)

• Send a brief message expressing support for SB 6268
• State that you are a constituent
• Ask them to vote YES on SB 6268

Call Your Senators (Highly Effective)

• Call your Senators’ offices
• State your name and that you are a constituent
• Say you support SB 6268 and urge a YES vote

Share With Your Network

• Share this alert with family, friends, and community groups
• Encourage others to contact their Senators

What to Say: Key Talking Points

• Families need access to past special education complaint outcomes to make informed decisions.
• Transparency helps parents understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Public access promotes consistency and accountability across school districts.
• SB 6268 strengthens trust in the special education system.

⚠️ Please do NOT discuss cost or funding. This hearing is focused strictly on safety, recovery, and legal clarity.

Need Help Writing Testimony?

You can start with one of these statements and make it your own:

• “I need access to clear information when navigating special education services, and I support SB 6268 because…”
  
• “I want to advocate effectively for my child, and SB 6268 helps by making complaint decisions accessible…”
  
• “Families should not have to navigate special education in the dark, and I support SB 6268 because…”
  
• “My biggest concern is not knowing how similar issues have been resolved, and SB 6268 helps close that information gap.”
  

Thank you for standing up for vulnerable individuals and the families who depend on a system that works when it matters most.

If you have questions or need support in submitting testimony, please contact
WAA Legislative Advocacy Fellow Kate Sargeant