H-3427.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2262
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By House Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Connors, Rude, Schmidt, Klicker, Graham, Barnard, and Pollet)
READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.
AN ACT Relating to civics education for public school students through instruction and information about the production and use of official signatures; amending RCW 28A.230.094 and 29A.60.300 ; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that advances in technology, evolving instructional priorities, and limited classroom time have led to a decline in the teaching of cursive handwriting and signature development in public schools. Because Washington state does not require cursive instruction, many students complete their education without learning how to sign their names in a clear, distinctive, and consistent manner.
(2) The legislature also finds that when students are not taught how to develop and consistently reproduce a distinctive signature, they may face avoidable challenges in voting, entering into legal agreements, and conducting everyday civic and financial affairs. The legislature further finds that a legible and repeatable handwritten signature remains an essential life skill and a foundational element of civic participation. Despite the growth of electronic signatures, many important documents in Washington still require an original, wet ink signature to verify identity and intent. These documents include, but are not limited to, ballots, initiatives, voter registration forms, and other official documents that are required at the state and federal level. For many young people, the lack of a consistent signature can create barriers to fully exercising their rights and responsibilities.