OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a bill sponsored by Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, delaying the start of a new program to regulate living quarters at residential private schools.

The measure gives the Department of Children, Youth and Families an additional year to develop regulations for private school dormitories through grade 12.

Under Senate Bill 5506, DCYF will begin regulating and licensing boarding school residential facilities on July 1, 2026, a year later than envisioned under a law passed in 2023. The department is allowed to write rules covering a broad array of issues, including suitability of facilities, background checks, staffing, safety and record-keeping. The State Board of Education will continue to regulate content and curriculum.

“This one-year delay will give DCYF time to develop a more robust program,” Christian explained. “It will help ensure residential private schools receive the effective oversight they deserve.”