Hi, huge news:
Recently, the Seattle Times editorial board published an op-ed advising voters to reject Initiative 001.
Initiative 001 is an effort by the citizen group Let’s Go Washington to repeal and replace parts of the state’s current parent rights and student privacy bill, HB1296, which was sponsored by state Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, and passed last year.
Under that law, schools must immediately notify parents the moment an alleged crime against their child is reported. Initiative 001 actually weakens this provision.
If passed, Initiative 001 would endanger all students, especially LGBTQ+ kids and victims of child abuse.
I-001 would force schools to out LGBTQ+ students to unsupportive families.
We know 40% of LGBTQ+ youth were kicked out of their homes because of their identities. This initiative will put queer and trans kids at greater risk of homelessness and of abuse at home.
I-001 removes protections for victims of child abuse.
It would allow parents under criminal investigation for abusing their own child or who have been charged with a crime against their own child to access students’ social work, counseling, and disciplinary records.
I-001 restricts students’ access to help.
Students facing violence, sexual abuse, bullying, or depression would be less likely to seek help from trusted school counselors, who would be required to release students’ confidential information—records currently protected by state and federal law.
“The question at the heart of the matter is student safety. Domestic violence experts say the initiative could make it harder for a child to reach a safe adult. For that reason, we urge voters to turn it down,” said the Seattle Times editorial board.
MAGA-millionaire Brian Heywood is spending millions to try to convince Washingtonians that Initiative 001 is about “parental rights,” but we know the truth is that it would harm our most vulnerable students and make our schools less safe for all our students.
Thank you,
No Hate in WA State
NO HATE in WA State is a campaign of Washington parents, medical professionals, teachers, students, and community members standing against ballot measures IL26-001 and IL26-638 that would endanger Washington students and hurt our schools.
Reject the hate, bullying, and harassment of our students. Join us today.
NO HATE in WA State
PO Box 21961
Seattle, WA 98111
United States