Washington State parental rights and athletics initiatives

In Washington State, advocacy groups including the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and the League of Women Voters are campaigning against two upcoming ballot measures, Initiatives 001 and 638.

Initiative 001, described by supporters as a parental rights measure, aims to change how schools manage sensitive student information, such as health and counseling records. Critics argue the measure could compromise student privacy and discourage young people from seeking help, particularly if parents are under investigation for abuse. The initiative would also allow parents to opt students out of instruction regarding mental health, sexuality, and religion.

Initiative 638 focuses on school athletics by proposing to prevent transgender girls from participating on female sports teams. The measure would require female athletes to provide medical verification of their sex through genetics, reproductive anatomy, or testosterone levels. Opponents claim these requirements could lead to invasive medical evaluations and may violate rights to privacy and equal protection.