Standardizing the process for waiving physical education requirements for high school students.

 S-4158.2

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5952

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2026 Regular Session

By Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Wellman, Nobles, and C. Wilson)

READ FIRST TIME 01/22/26.

AN ACT Relating to requiring the recognition of school district decisions to waive physical education requirements for high school students; amending RCW 28A.230.050 and 28A.210.365 ; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature strongly believes in the importance of health and fitness instruction and a well-rounded education as it is one of the primary goals of basic education identified in RCW 28A.150.210 .

(2) The legislature acknowledges that state law has allowed individual high school students to be excused from participating in physical education for certain reasons and good cause. The legislature further acknowledges that the waiver process from physical education requirements is based on local policy and procedure and can vary widely between school districts. The legislature finds that this variation between school districts leads to confusion for high school students.