Mitzpah Be the watchtower.
FederalHB2616directPassed House

Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed House
  3. Passed Senate
  4. To President
  5. Became Law

Overview

This bill requires public schools receiving federal education funding to get parents' written consent before schools change a student's gender markers, pronouns, or name on school records, or make sex-based accommodations like locker room assignments based on gender identity.

Why it matters: The bill directly addresses parental notification and consent rights when schools make decisions about gender identity matters that affect minors—a key concern for parents who want authority over these sensitive decisions affecting their children.

Topic: Gender & sexuality · classifier confidence 98%

What this changes

Creates a new law or program

Law today: Currently, federal law does not explicitly require public schools to obtain parental consent before a student's school records reflect a change in gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name, or before providing sex-based accommodations aligned with a student's gender identity. Schools' practices vary by state and district policy.

If passed: If passed, all public elementary and middle schools receiving federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act would be required to get written parental permission before changing a student's name, pronouns, or gender markers in school records, and before allowing a student to use different bathrooms or locker rooms based on gender identity. This would prevent schools from recognizing a student's transgender or gender-nonconforming identity without parental knowledge or approval.

AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.

Likely supporters & opponents

Likely support

  • Parental-rights advocacy organizations — Parents have the fundamental right and responsibility to direct the upbringing and education of their children, including decisions about gender identity and medical matters.
  • Religious and faith-based organizations — The policy aligns with traditional beliefs about biological sex and protects parents' ability to raise children according to their religious convictions.

Likely opposition

  • LGBTQ+ advocacy and civil-liberties groups — Mandatory parental notification may force schools to out transgender and gender-nonconforming students to parents, putting vulnerable minors at risk of family rejection or harm.
  • Public health and medical associations — Major medical organizations support affirming care and note that forced disclosure can worsen mental health outcomes for transgender youth.

AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.

Should I support this?

Likely helpful for Christian families

From a Christian parental-rights perspective, this bill protects parents' authority to know about and direct significant decisions affecting their children, including those related to identity and physical accommodations. It affirms parental involvement in matters traditionally considered within the family's domain rather than the school's independent authority.

An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.

💬 Chat about this bill ↗Official bill text ↗View on LegiScan ↗

Official summary

To require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

Sponsors

  • Tim Walberg (R)
  • Burgess Owens (R)
  • Mary Miller (R)
  • Robert Onder (R)
  • Kevin Kiley (I)

Status timeline

  1. 2026-05-21Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.S
  2. 2026-05-20Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.H
  3. 2026-05-20On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652)H
  4. 2026-05-20On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183).H
  5. 2026-05-20Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3660-3661)H
  6. 2026-05-20POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 2616, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.H
  7. 2026-05-20The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.H
  8. 2026-05-20Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (CR H3658)H
  9. 2026-05-20The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.H
  10. 2026-05-20DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2616.H
  11. 2026-05-20Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.H
  12. 2026-05-20Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3652-3659)H
  13. 2026-04-29Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.H
  14. 2026-01-13Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 377.H
  15. 2026-01-13Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.H
  16. 2025-04-09Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.H
  17. 2025-04-09Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldH
  18. 2025-04-03Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.H
  19. 2025-04-03Introduced in HouseH

H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly