The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules to implement chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW. Chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in Washington public schools, including public charter schools. Broad federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 similarly prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, and disability in federally assisted education programs or activities. As a result, several substantive areas have been similarly identified and addressed by both state and federal enactments.

In accordance with chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW and RCW 28A.710.040, it is unlawful for any public school district or public charter school to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal with regard to any program or activity conducted by or on behalf of a school district or public charter school including, but not limited to, recreational and athletic activities, extracurricular activities, preschool, adult education, community education, and vocational-technical program activities.

In accordance with RCW 28A.640.020 and 28A.642.020, the office of superintendent of public instruction will develop guidelines to supplement this chapter and to guide its interpretation and administrative enforcement of chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW under WAC 392-190-060 through 392-190-081. Under RCW 28A.640.050 and 28A.642.050, the office of superintendent of public instruction has the authority to enforce the guidelines and this chapter.