This bill adds a new section to chapter 28A.400 RCW that says artificial intelligence may be used to supplement or enhance instruction but may not replace certificated instructional staff or paraeducators. It is a new statutory provision limiting how AI can be used in instructional roles. The change creates a new law rather than amending existing definitions or penalty provisions. The affected groups named are certificated instructional staff and paraeducators. The text as provided contains no definitions for key terms (for example, "artificial intelligence," "supplement," "enhance," or "replace"), and it includes no enforcement mechanism, penalties, compliance procedures, effective date, or details about which schools or programs are covered. Bill identification: Senate Bill 6299, S-4020.1, 69th Legislature, 2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Senators McCune, J. Wilson, Fortunato, Torres, and Dozier.

If enacted, school districts would be able to use artificial intelligence tools to support and improve classroom instruction but would not be allowed to use those tools to replace certificated teachers or paraeducators. That means districts are unlikely to realize payroll savings by substituting AI for staff, but they may redirect funds to buy AI tools and training while continuing to employ the same number of teachers and paras; certificated staff and paraeducators would retain primary instructional responsibilities rather than being displaced by automation. Important details are missing from the text, so how this works in practice is unclear: the bill does not define what counts as “artificial intelligence” or what it means to “replace” staff, and it includes no enforcement, penalties, effective date, or scope limits. Those gaps leave room for confusion about what specific AI uses would be allowed or prohibited and could lead districts to seek legal guidance before changing practices.