SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6261
As of January 26, 2026
Title: An act relating to requiring signed declarations of intent of school enrollment or home-based instruction.
Brief Description: Requiring signed declarations of intent of school enrollment or home-based instruction.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Nobles and Wilson, C.; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/28/26.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires parents who do not enroll their children in public or private school at age six to file a signed declaration with the local school district in which they reside during the school years the children turn six and seven.
  • Specifies that the declaration should include if they are planning to, or currently receiving, home-based instruction or planning to enroll in public or private school.
  • Provides that the compulsory attendance requirements and the home-based instruction requirements are not applicable until children turn eight.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

School Attendance. Parents of children who are 8 and under 18 years old must cause their children to attend a public school of the district in which the child resides unless the child is:

  • attending an approved private school;
  • receiving home-based instruction; or
  • meets other exceptions provided by law.

 

Home-Based Instruction. Home-based instruction requires a parent to annually file a declaration of intent to provide their child with home-based instruction beginning when a child is eight. 

 

The signed declaration must be filed with the school district where the parent resides by September 15th of the school year, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. The signed declaration must include the name and age of the child, specify whether a certificated person will be supervising the instruction, and be written in a format prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI).
Summary of Bill:

A parent who does not enroll their child in public or private school at age six must file a signed declaration of the parent's plan regarding the education of that child in the school years when the child turns six and seven. 

 

The declaration should include if they are or planning to, or currently receiving, home-based instruction or planning to enroll in public or private school. The declaration must include the name and age of the child and must be written in a format prescribed by SPI.

 

Each parent must file the declaration by September 15th of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester with the school district within which the parent resides.

 

In accordance with existing state law, compulsory attendance requirements and the home-based instruction requirements are not applicable until a child is eight. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2026.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.