Monica Stonier

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has come out against Initiative 001, a conservative-backed measure that would roll back 2024 changes to the state's "parents bill of rights" law. Ferguson joined Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ advocates at a press conference to oppose the measure, arguing it weakens existing protections despite claims otherwise.

The current law, amended last year, gives schools more time to release records like curricula to parents while keeping students' medical and mental health records confidential. The initiative, backed by conservative PAC Let's Go Washington and founder Brian Heywood, would restore faster access to records and expand parental access to medical and mental health information. Critics, including state Rep. Monica Stonier, say the initiative is poorly written and could out LGBTQ students to parents, potentially endangering them at home. Heywood counters that parents are the primary stakeholders in raising children and dismisses opposition concerns as "splitting hairs." If passed this fall, lawmakers could not amend the new law for two years.