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SB 5851

Providing for donations to the sea lion predation control account at the time of vessel registration for the purpose of salmon level preservation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Boehnke and 15 co-sponsors

Washington public schools must teach Holocaust and other genocides, with mandatory instruction starting 2027–28 and April designated for annual genocide awareness activities.

Prefiled for introduction.
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Bill Summary · SB 5851

SB 5851 — Summary: Holocaust and Genocide Education in Washington Public Schools

Status: Senate Rules "X" file (Feb 15, 2024)
Introduced: Dec 15, 2023 — Latest legislative version: Second Substitute (S-4828.1)

Purpose

SB 5851 requires Washington public schools to recognize and teach about the Holocaust and other genocides and crimes against humanity, establishes an annual awareness month, and directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop and publish instructional guidance and best practices.

Key provisions

  • Designates April each year as "International Genocide Prevention and Awareness Month." During April, every public school must conduct or promote age-appropriate activities (classroom lessons, guest speakers, assemblies, etc.) to increase student awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and other genocides.
  • Encouragement (current law, transitional): Public middle, junior high, and high schools are strongly encouraged to include Holocaust and genocide instruction in their curricula and to offer at least one stand-alone elective available to students at least once during grades 6–12.
  • Mandatory instruction (effective 2027–28 school year): Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, public middle and high schools must provide instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides when those topics align with applicable social studies learning standards (U.S. history and contemporary world history). Instruction must follow OSPI-developed best practices.
  • OSPI responsibilities:
    • Develop, annually update, and electronically publish best practices and guidelines for high-quality instruction.
    • Provide guidance on vertical alignment, materials, and professional learning for the stand-alone elective.
    • Collaborate with Washington nonprofit organizations with expertise in Holocaust education and with nonprofits led by underrepresented communities impacted by genocide (Second Substitute expands this collaborative requirement).
  • Definitions included in statute:
    • "Genocide" — defined consistent with established elements (killing, causing serious harm, inflicting destructive conditions, preventing births, forcible transfer of children).
    • "Holocaust" — defined as the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of roughly 6,000,000 Jews plus millions of Roma, LGBTQ-identified people, political opponents, and others (1933–1945).
  • Transition/expiration:
    • The amended encouragement section expires July 1, 2027, and the mandatory instruction section takes effect July 1, 2027 (instruction implementation begins in 2027–28).

Who is affected

  • Public schools (all K–12 schools for April activities; middle and high schools for curricular instruction and electives).
  • OSPI and K–12 teachers (development and implementation of curriculum, professional learning).
  • Nonprofit partners providing expertise and materials.
  • Students statewide, particularly grades 6–12.

Timeline & implementation

  • OSPI must publish and update best practices annually.
  • April recognition/activities apply immediately each year.
  • Mandatory curriculum requirement begins in the 2027–28 school year; statutory transition aligns previous encouragement provisions to expire July 1, 2027.

Legislative status & history (selected)

  • Prefiled 12/15/2023; first reading 01/08/2024; referred to Early Learning & K–12 Education.
  • Public hearings: Jan 17 (ELK-12) and Feb 3 (Ways & Means).
  • 01/25/2024: Early Learning & K–12 Education committee adopted 1st substitute, referred to Ways & Means.
  • 02/05/2024: Ways & Means adopted 2nd substitute (majority do pass), passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  • 02/15/2024: Senate Rules "X" file.

Notes / Considerations

  • The Second Substitute broadens OSPI collaboration to include nonprofits led by communities historically affected by genocide, potentially increasing curricular diversity and regional/global perspectives.
  • The law ties mandatory instruction to alignment with existing social studies standards; actual classroom content and timing may vary by district based on alignment and available professional development.

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

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