Bill to modify cultural competency training heads to governor’s desk

The Washington state Senate passed a bill Tuesday during a virtual legislative debate requiring school personnel to receive training on topics related to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 5044, which passed in a 29-19 vote, would include equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism to cultural competency training, which school board directors, district and school staff are already required to undergo.

Under SB 5044, school districts must designate one of three professional learning days to focus specifically on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism training, according to the bill’s text.

Proponents of the bill say SB 5044 would ensure students from all cultural backgrounds feel safe, heard and understood at school. But opponents say the bill “teaches students to judge others based on the color of their skin,” according to a legislative document.

Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, is SB 5044’s primary sponsor. Das said during the virtual legislative debate the House made improvements to the bill, like defining the terms diversity, equity and inclusion.

Another improvement includes requiring the Washington State School Directors’ Association to develop cultural competency standards for school districts, Das said.

Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, said during the virtual legislative debate the House’s amendments made it “even more challenging” for school districts to have local control.

“I believe the House’s changes when it comes to specifying certain requirements for (the) use of one of these professional learning days is actually even more of an erosion of local control,” Hawkins said.

During the afternoon session, the Senate also passed these bills:

SB 5066 (31-18): Requires police officers to intervene if they witness a fellow officer using excessive use of force. The bill will head to the governor’s desk.

SB 5038 (28-21): Bans people from openly carrying firearms or other weapons at or near public demonstrations and legislative locations. The bill will head to the governor’s desk.

SB 5052 (29-20): Directs the state Department of Health to designate “health equity zones” in Washington and develop projects to help eliminate health disparities among certain communities. The bill will head to the governor’s desk.