Washington
Overview
Washington has a protective legislative landscape for transgender individuals. While anti-trans bills have been introduced (6 in 2024, 8 in 2025), none have passed into law. Instead, the state has enacted pro-trans protections such as SB 5599 (2023) and SB 5632 (Shield Law update). In 2026, however, an anti-trans ballot initiative threatens this landscape.
Current Legislation
2026 Ballot Initiative: Sex Verification Requirements for Female School Sports
The Sex Verification Requirements for Female School Sports Initiative (IL26-638) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Backed by Let’s Go Washington and its founder Brian Heywood, it would ban transgender girls from girls’ school sports and require students in female-designated athletics to submit healthcare-provider verification of their “biological sex.” The legislature declined to adopt it, sending it to the voters.
Enacted Protective Laws
2023:
- SB 5599: Requires schools to prohibit harassment of trans and gender-expansive students, strengthens privacy for medical/counseling records, and affirms student constitutional rights
2025:
- SB 5632 (Shield Law update): Signed into law to protect access to gender-affirming and reproductive care by blocking cooperation with out-of-state anti-LGBTQ+ enforcement
Proposed Anti-Trans Bills (Not Enacted)
2023:
- No specific anti-trans bills detailed in available data
- Washington absent from list of states with passed anti-trans bills
2024 (6 bills tracked):
- Healthcare: Bans on gender transition procedures like puberty blockers, hormones for minors under 18, and referrals
- Incarceration, Education, Sports: Various restrictions (e.g., classifications based on sex chromosomes like XX or XY)
- Status: No passage outcomes specified
2025 (8 bills tracked):
- Incarceration: Restrictions on housing inmates convicted of sex offenses in facilities mismatched with victim biological sex
- Healthcare, Sports, Pronouns, Other: Various restrictions
- Status: No passage status provided
Key Politicians
| Name |
Party |
Chamber |
Key Actions |
| Rep. Pramila Jayapal |
D |
U.S. House |
Co-introduced Transgender Bill of Rights (2023) |
Timeline
| Date |
Event |
| 2023 |
SB 5599 enacted (pro-trans school protections) |
| 2023 |
No anti-trans bills passed |
| 2024 |
6 anti-trans bills tracked - none passed |
| 2025 |
SB 5632 enacted (Shield Law update) |
| 2025 |
8 anti-trans bills tracked - none passed |
| June 2025 |
Sex Verification ballot initiative (IL26-638) filed by Let’s Go Washington |
| November 3, 2026 |
Sex Verification initiative on the ballot |
Resources
Sources
- Trans Legislation Tracker 2023
- Markey Senate - Trans Bill of Rights
- Trans Legislation Tracker 2024/WA
- Trans Legislation Tracker 2025/WA
- Jayapal House - Trans Bill of Rights
- GSBA - Tracking WA Legislation
- ACLU WA - Shield Law Signed
- App. Leg. WA - SB 5599
- Ballotpedia: Washington Sex Verification Requirements for Female School Sports Initiative (2026)
- Ballotpedia News: Five 2026 ballot measures address sex-based school sports eligibility (July 23, 2026)
Last updated: 2026-07-31