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Schools would need parent consent for student gender changes

Passed one chamberH.R. 2616Latest action

Sponsor: Tim Walberg · Representative · MI

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: PROTECT Kids Act

119th Congress

Topics: Education

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

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HR 2616 would require public K–8 schools to get written parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, name, or bathroom access.

45-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

This bill would require public elementary and middle schools to get written permission from a parent or guardian before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school records, or before changing which bathrooms or locker rooms the student uses. The bill would also prohibit schools from using federal education funds to teach or promote concepts related to "gender ideology," a term defined by referencing a specific .

Who does it affect?

These rules would apply to public elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding under the main federal K–12 education law, which covers the vast majority of public schools in the country.

Why does it matter?

Schools that do not comply could put their federal education funding at risk. Students whose parents are not contacted would not have changes made to their records or facility access under this law.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedApr 3, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · May 21, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 184

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    217
    Nay
    198
    0
    15

    Republicans 208 yes, 9 not voting · Democrats 8 yes, 198 no, 6 not voting · Independent 1 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. House · · Roll call 183

    As recorded

    Question
    On
    Result:
    Failed
    207
    Nay
    208
    0
    15

    Republicans 207 no, 10 not voting · Democrats 207 yes, 5 not voting · Independent 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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