Lawsuit seeks to block Washington parental rights law that critics call a 'forced outing' measure

SEATTLE (AP) — A group of youth services organizations, a school district, a counselor and others sued Thursday to block a new Washington state parental rights law that critics describe as a “forced outing” measure.

A conservative megadonor backed the law, which is set to take effect in June. The Democratic-led Legislature overwhelmingly approved it, with progressive lawmakers wanting to keep it off the fall ballot while calculating that courts would likely block it.

Known as Initiative 2081, the law requires schools to notify parents in advance of medical services offered to their child, except in emergencies, and of medical treatment arranged by the school resulting in follow-up care beyond normal hours. It grants parents the right to review their child’s medical and counseling records and expands cases where parents can opt their child out of sex education.

That could jeopardize students who want to access birth control, referrals for reproductive services, counseling related to their gender identity or sexual orientation, or other sensitive topics through school clinics without their parents knowing, critics say.