Asian American history bill fails in Washington Senate

A bill requiring Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders history be taught in Washington State K-12 schools, did not pass this legislative session.

According to Make Us Visible Washington, the bill, which was sponsored by Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee Vice Chair Senator T’wina Nobles, “serves as a long-term preventative measure against anti-Asian American bullying, hate, and violence that continues to be present in Washington.”

Although there was a public hearing held on February 18 where community members testified before the Senate, a committee vote was never called afterwards to determine whether or not the bill would advance this legislative session before the February 21 deadline.

Although 37 people signed up to testify at the February 18 public hearing, not every person that signed up was able to speak, frustrating community members.

A representative of State Senator Lisa Wellman, the chair of the Education Committee responded by email: “Senator Wellman had dedicated 15-20 minutes for the public hearing but ultimately allotted closer to 30 minutes for public testimony.”

Those who were able to testify brought up issues such as mental health, bullying, and safety.

Zedeeka Fulay, youth mental health advocate, discussed the mental health impacts they believed passing the bill would make:

“280,00 students in Washington can use this bill as a way to prevent longterm violence and bullying. It has the mental health impact of reducing invisibility, increasing empowerment and resilience.”

Amasai Jeke of grassroots organization Utopia WA echoed this sentiment:

“Education isn’t just about academics. It’s about fostering safe, inclusive, and affirming environments where every student can feel safe.”