News Release:
Friday, January 24, 2025
Seattle, WA – A King County Superior Court judge in Seattle has sided with defendants in Legal Counsel for Youth and Children, et. al. v. State of Washington, allowing the implementation and enforcement of Initiative 2081.
The ACLU of Washington, Legal Voice, and QLaw Foundation filed a lawsuit last year on behalf of ten plaintiffs to prevent Initiative 2081 from going into effect. The Initiative — which was passed by the Washington Legislature in March 2024 — contains vague, misleading language that changes important laws designed to protect youth privacy. Its implementation will harm LGBTQ+ students, homeless students, youth of color, and students from other marginalized backgrounds.
The ACLU of Washington and Legal Voice will continue advocating for student rights, whether through the courts or the legislature. It is important that this law be clarified and that student rights be protected.
Julia Marks, litigation attorney for Legal Voice, had this reaction:
“Initiative 2081 is a deceptive law that changes important protections for youth and interferes with educators' ability to provide an inclusive education. Unfortunately, today's ruling will make it harder for students to access help at school when they need it. Young people deserve support at school, not obstacles. We will continue to advocate for the communities who are harmed by Initiative 2081.”
Adrien Leavitt, staff attorney for the ACLU of Washington, had the following reaction:
“We are disappointed with today’s ruling, as it threatens the safety and well-being of countless students in Washington, who now will no longer be able to rely on needed confidentiality. Whether they are survivors of sexual assault, need reproductive and sexual health care, or just need to turn to a trusted counselor, youth privacy rights are in place to protect students who otherwise don’t have access to needed support. I-2081 is dangerous, but we will continue to work to guarantee schools are a haven for students who have no other place to turn.”
The ACLU of Washington, Legal Voice, and QLaw Foundation filed a lawsuit last year on behalf of ten plaintiffs to prevent Initiative 2081 from going into effect. The Initiative — which was passed by the Washington Legislature in March 2024 — contains vague, misleading language that changes important laws designed to protect youth privacy. Its implementation will harm LGBTQ+ students, homeless students, youth of color, and students from other marginalized backgrounds.
The ACLU of Washington and Legal Voice will continue advocating for student rights, whether through the courts or the legislature. It is important that this law be clarified and that student rights be protected.
Julia Marks, litigation attorney for Legal Voice, had this reaction:
“Initiative 2081 is a deceptive law that changes important protections for youth and interferes with educators' ability to provide an inclusive education. Unfortunately, today's ruling will make it harder for students to access help at school when they need it. Young people deserve support at school, not obstacles. We will continue to advocate for the communities who are harmed by Initiative 2081.”
Adrien Leavitt, staff attorney for the ACLU of Washington, had the following reaction:
“We are disappointed with today’s ruling, as it threatens the safety and well-being of countless students in Washington, who now will no longer be able to rely on needed confidentiality. Whether they are survivors of sexual assault, need reproductive and sexual health care, or just need to turn to a trusted counselor, youth privacy rights are in place to protect students who otherwise don’t have access to needed support. I-2081 is dangerous, but we will continue to work to guarantee schools are a haven for students who have no other place to turn.”
