Four Local Teens Weigh In on Parents’ Rights Initiative

A November ballot measure in Washington state would undo changes made to a parental-rights law. RANGE asked four local teenagers for their views. Evan Burnette, 17, said having time to explore his identity privately mattered. In sixth grade, Evan began using that name at school after deciding the name given at birth did not fit. Teachers and classmates kept it confidential for years, until a relative noticed it on schoolwork during a family gathering.

The proposal, IL26-001, would restore the 2024 version of the law. That version gave parents broader access to school materials and records, including medical information, and allowed them to remove children from activities involving sexuality, gender or political and moral beliefs. Later changes gave districts more time to answer requests and removed language that could be read as requiring staff to disclose a student’s LGBTQ+ or transgender identity without consent.

Both versions protect parental access to academic and attendance records, allow exemptions from comprehensive sex education and certain controversial activities, and require schools to notify parents when children are victims of crimes on school property. The disagreement centers on the differences: supporters say the measure would speed access and increase parental control, while opponents warn it could discourage students from seeking mental-health support, weaken privacy for minors abused at home and expose transgender or LGBTQ+ students without permission. Districts have 45 days to answer requests for disciplinary, attendance and academic records.