WASHINGTON- Brian Heywood recently announced that he is launching two new initiatives involving Washington children through his group, Lets Go Washington.
In a release, Let’s go Washington said the first initiative, IL26-001 will repeal changes made to the Parent’s Bill of Rights by undoing HB-1296. It will also re-affirm commitments to transparency and accountability and require schools to keep parents informed about services and support offered to their children.
The group also launched IL26-638, titled Protecting Fairness in Girls’ Sports, which in part would restrict biological men from participating in sports for women.
In response, the Washington Families for Freedom, a coalition of parents, teachers, businesses, LGBTQ and community groups, are taking action against the initiatives saying they will impact the students rights to freedom and privacy.
Washington Families for Freedom claims the initiatives will:
Violate students’ privacy and dignity with forced invasive medical exams at the parent’s expense, currently not required by law
Increase bullying, stigma and division in schools Subject schools and districts to lawsuits, costing taxpayers millions of dollars Undo Washington’s successful sports inclusion policy that has worked since 2007Make it harder for students to see a school counselor and get mental health support
The group is urging Washingtonians to decline to sign the initiatives once they begin to circulate.
During the 2024 Washington Legislature, a ballot initiative establishing a ‘Parent’s Bill of Rights’ passed the Washington Legislature .
In late May of that year, a lawsuit was filed from the American Civil Liberties Union, Legal Voice and QLaw.
Washington Republicans have slammed the lawsuit, and The Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office acknowledged concerns that the bill could violate student privacy rights and said the contested parts of the bill stemming from the ACLU lawsuit would not be enforced.
