HB 2534 — Promoting educational stability for children of military families.

ENGROSSEDH-2965.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2534 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By House Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Shavers, McEntire, Barnard, Leavitt, and Nance)Nance READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/04/26.01/19/26.

Referred to Committee on Education.

(1)(a) A child of a military family complies with the residency requirements for enrollment in a school district if ((aa parent of the child is transferred to, or is)),is aspending atransfer resultto, of a parent'smilitary activeinstallation dutywithin status,the callstate to((while on active duty,duty)) or notificationbordering ofstate, anor impendingthe callmilitary orfamily orderis totransferring activedue duty,to thea childmilitary relocatesexigency torequiring Washingtonrelocation, andpursuant theto child'sofficial military parentorders. is:

(i)(b) TransferredA to,parent orof hasthe receivedchild officialmust noticeprovide proof of aofficial pending transfer to, a military installationorders locatedor withindocumentation theby statetheir ((while on active duty pursuant to official military orders))commander of Washington;the directed move.

(ii)(c) TransferredA to,parent orof hasthe receivedchild officialmust noticeprovide to the school district proof of aresidence pendingin transferthe to,school adistrict militarywithin installation((fourteen)) located90 incalendar adays stateof bordering((the Washington;arrival date provided on official military documentation)) enrollment.

or (iii) Relocating due to a military exigency, for example overseas deployment, sea duty, or other mobilization.

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1 ESHB 2534 (b) A parent of the child must provide the school district with a copy of official military orders or other documentation issued by the appropriate military authority confirming the directed move.

(c) A parent of the child must provide to the school district proof of the child's residence in the school district within ((fourteen)) 90 calendar days of ((the arrival date provided on official military documentation)) enrollment.

(i) A temporary ((on-base billeting facility)) lodging within the school district where the military family is expecting to obtain permanent housing;

(ii) A purchased or leased residence, or a signed purchase and sale agreement or lease agreement for a residence;

or (iii) Any federal government housing or off-base military housing, including off-base military housing that may be provided through a public-private venture.

(2)(a) A school district shall accept, on a conditional basis, an application for enrollment and course registration, including enrollment in a specific school or program within the school district, ((by electronic means for children of military families who meet the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section)) from a child of a military family who meets the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section, prior to the child arriving in Washington or a bordering state.

A school district shall accept applications submitted by any reasonable means, including electronic transmission or mail.

School districts must provide military families with the maximum flexibility practicable in the method of application submission, consistent with verification, privacy, and administrative requirements.

(b) Upon ((satisfaction of)) verification that the requirements of subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section have been satisfied, the school district shall finalize the enrollment of ((children of military families)) the child of a military family.

(3) In the case of a child of a military family who had an individualized education program or plan developed under section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973 in effect in another state, the school district shall:

(a) Take the necessary steps to accept the transfer of the child's educational records, including any prior evaluations;

21 ESHBHB 2534 (b)(i) UponA enrollment,temporary provide((on-base thebilleting childfacility)) withlodging appropriatewithin servicesthe andschool accommodationsdistrict withoutwhere unreasonablethe delay,military includingfamily servicesis comparableexpecting to thoseobtain describedpermanent inhousing; the child's previously held individualized education program or section 504 plan;

and(ii) (c)A Ifpurchased theor schoolleased districtresidence, determinesor thata ansigned evaluationpurchase isand necessary,sale takeagreement reasonableor stepslease toagreement conductfor thea evaluationresidence; as expeditiously as practicable, consistent with applicable federal and state law.

(4)or A(iii) nonresidentAny schoolfederal districtgovernment ishousing notor requiredoff-base tomilitary providehousing, aincluding childoff-base of a military familyhousing withthat transportationmay tobe andprovided fromthrough thea residentpublic school-private districtventure. unless otherwise required by state or federal law.

(2) A school district shall accept, on a conditional basis, an application for enrollment and course registration, including enrollment in a specific school or program within the school district, prior to the military family arriving in the state, by electronic or other means for children of military families who meet the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section.

Upon satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section, the school district shall finalize the enrollment of children of military families.

(3) If the enrolling child of a military family is transferring with an individualized education program or plan developed under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, the school district shall take the necessary steps to accept the transfer of records and any prior evaluations.

Upon enrollment, the school district shall ensure that the child of a military family receives the appropriate services and accommodations, consistent with the child of a military family's existing individualized education program or section 504 plan without unreasonable delay.

If a reevaluation is deemed necessary, the reevaluation must occur within 30 calendar days after the date of arrival, subject to the informed parental consent of the parent.

(4) Nonresident school districts are not required to provide transportation to and from the school unless otherwise required by state or federal law.

(b) "Child of a military family" and "((children"children of military families))families" child" have the same meaning as "children of military families" in RCW 28A.705.010.

(d)p. "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person or entity having legal custody of a child of a military family.

2 HB 2534 (d) "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person or entity having legal custody of a child of a military family.

3 ESHBHB 2534