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Bill

HB 1189

Addressing parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Davis and 7 co-sponsors

Washington bill modifies criminal conviction restrictions on parental school volunteering, potentially allowing case-by-case participation assessments instead of blanket bans.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Education at 8:00 AM.
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Bill Summary · HB 1189

Legislative bill overview

HB 1189 addresses restrictions on parental involvement in schools for individuals with criminal convictions. The bill appears to create or modify pathways allowing parents with criminal histories to volunteer or participate in school activities, potentially removing or adjusting blanket prohibitions based on conviction type. The specific mechanisms and scope remain under legislative review.

Why is this important

Criminal history restrictions on school volunteering affect thousands of parents seeking to participate in their children's education. This directly impacts family engagement, school community involvement, and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into civic participation. The policy reflects broader tensions between public safety protections and second-chance opportunities.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety vs. rehabilitation: Balancing legitimate concerns about background checks and school safety with arguments that blanket bans prevent reintegration and deny parents opportunities based on non-violent or dated convictions
  • Specificity of restrictions: Disagreement over which conviction types should disqualify participation (violent crimes, sex offenses, etc.) versus allowing individualized assessment
  • Implementation and liability: Questions about who conducts case-by-case reviews, what criteria are used, and potential liability if incidents occur involving previously convicted volunteers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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