Parents Opt-in Protection Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/4986
Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

ID: M001211

Follow the money

The bill

Parents Opt-in Protection Act

HR. 4986, 119th Congress — read as touching For-Profit Education & Student Loans.

The sponsor

Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$123,810 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

63% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Introduction" section, p. 377-379 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 15.

July 20, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Parents Opt-in Protection Act (HR 4986) claims to protect students' rights by requiring prior written consent for surveys, analyses, or evaluations that reveal personal information. How quaint. How utterly predictable. It's a classic case of "look, we're doing something!" while actually doing nothing.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the General Education Provisions Act to require prior written consent for specific surveys, analyses, or evaluations. Oh, wow. They changed "prior consent" to "prior written consent." What a bold move. It's like they're trying to convince us that adding "written" magically makes it more effective. Newsflash: it doesn't.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are affected: students, parents, schools, and the education system as a whole. But let's be real, the only stakeholders who truly matter are the politicians and lobbyists who crafted this bill to appease their constituents and donors. It's a game of pretend, where everyone gets to feel good about "protecting children" without actually doing anything meaningful.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact will be negligible, as this bill is nothing more than a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It won't address the underlying issues of data collection, student privacy, or the actual problems plaguing our education system. But hey, it'll make for great campaign slogans and soundbites. "We protected your children's rights!" Yeah, sure you did.

Diagnosis: This bill is a symptom of a deeper disease – the chronic condition of political cowardice. Lawmakers are too afraid to tackle real issues, so they create meaningless legislation that allows them to pretend they're doing something. It's a classic case of legislative placebo effect. The patients (voters) will feel better for a while, but the underlying illness (corruption, incompetence, and greed) will continue to fester.

Prognosis: This bill will pass, not because it's good policy, but because it's an easy way for politicians to score points with their constituents. It'll be touted as a victory for "parents' rights" and "student protection," when in reality, it's just another example of legislative theater designed to distract us from the real problems. And we'll all be left wondering: what's the point of having a functioning brain when you can just vote for whoever promises to "protect the children"?

Related Topics

Elections & Voting Rights
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$123,810
16 donors
PACs
$13,010
Organizations
$1,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$109,300
1
WINRED PAC
1 transaction
$13,010
1
ADAMS MEMORIALS
1 transaction
$1,000
2
VAHLING VINEYARDS
1 transaction
$500

No committee contributions found

1
BISHOP, JACK L MR
5 transactions
$30,300
2
KASPAR, SCOTT
1 transaction
$13,200
3
FORSYTHE, GERALD R MR
2 transactions
$13,200
4
THOMPSON, JOHN
2 transactions
$10,000
5
DAMAS, BETH A
1 transaction
$6,600
6
FORSYTHE, JEAN
2 transactions
$6,600
7
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
1 transaction
$5,800
8
HELMUTH, FRED
1 transaction
$5,000
9
THRIFT, PAUL
1 transaction
$5,000
10
RYDIN, MIKE
1 transaction
$3,700
11
OBERHELMAN, DIANE A
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SOVIE, DON
1 transaction
$3,300
13
COOLEY, WILLIAM
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

ID: C001115

Top Contributors

10

1
BUTLER CONSULTING
OrganizationPORT LAVACA, TX
$250
Oct 25, 2024
2
BURDGE, THOMAS R
VP OF ACCOUNTING
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 3, 2024
3
BORCHERS, CHARLA
RANCHINGINVESTMENTS
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 2, 2024
4
BURDGE, THOMAS R
VP OF ACCOUNTING
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$6,600
Oct 3, 2024
5
ATNIP, CHAR
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
ATNIP, CLIF
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
7
BURDGE, TAMI
IndividualVICTORIA, TX
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
RAMIREZ, PHILIP
TURNER, RAMIREZ & ASSOCIATES, INC.ARCHITECT
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
9
PARKER, ROBERT E.
REPCON INC.PRESIDENT
IndividualCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
$3,300
Jan 12, 2024
10
TROXLER, JOSEPH G.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualCORDOVA, TN
$3,300
Jan 16, 2024

Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

ID: H001052

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jun 27, 2023
2
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jun 27, 2023
3
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jun 26, 2023
4
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jun 23, 2023
5
HOUSE FREEDOM FUND
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$800
May 18, 2023
6
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 28, 2023
7
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 23, 2023
8
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 27, 2023
9
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 23, 2023
10
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PAC
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 29, 2023

Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

ID: B000825

Top Contributors

10

1
ENERGY STRONG LLC
OrganizationWINDSOR, CO
$2,000
Oct 4, 2024
2
EFFECTV
OrganizationSAN ANTONIO, TX
$1,169
Aug 29, 2024
3
CAPITOL FOCUS LLC
OrganizationDENVER, CO
$500
Oct 14, 2024
4
J A'S LLC
OrganizationDURANGO, CO
$250
Jun 21, 2023
5
CUYLER, BEVERLY
IndividualPAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
$9,100
Jul 1, 2023
6
ELLIOTT, DAVID
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$8,300
Sep 30, 2023
7
COVINGTON, GARY
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$6,800
Jun 14, 2023
8
CLARK, ROBERT
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNEWTON, NC
$6,600
Mar 10, 2024
9
BECK, ELAINE
HOMEMAKERHOMEMAKER
IndividualORO VALLEY, AZ
$6,600
Jan 17, 2024
10
HINMAN, ROY H.
IndividualSAINT AUGUSTINE, FL
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

ID: S001224

Top Contributors

10

1
TUCKER HILL HOA
OrganizationALLEN, TX
$300
Jun 15, 2023
2
MULLIGI, GINO
NAPOLIAC'SMANAGER
IndividualWYLIE, TX
$9,000
May 23, 2023
3
FRITCHER, SAMMY
AIRBORNE ASPECT INCCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,600
Aug 19, 2024
4
LOBB, PAT
SELFCAR DEALER
IndividualFRISCO, TX
$6,600
Aug 31, 2024
5
MYERS, ROBERT
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualMCKINNEY, TX
$6,600
May 19, 2023
6
HUFFINES, RAY
HUFFINES AUTO DEALERSHIPSAUTO DEALER
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,600
May 26, 2023
7
MOSES, FRED
TELCOM ELECTRIC SUPPLY
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,600
Mar 9, 2023
8
LI, QINGSONG
SONGHAO HOLDINGS LLCOWNER
IndividualPLANO, TX
$6,000
May 3, 2023
9
CHALIN, THOMAS
NONERETIRED
IndividualFAIRVIEW, TX
$5,800
Jan 30, 2024
10
CHALIN, THOMAS
NONERETIRED
IndividualFAIRVIEW, TX
$5,800
Aug 12, 2024

Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

ID: F000469

Top Contributors

10

1
ROBU, ELI
AJ GENERAL CONTRACTORSCONSTRUCTION
IndividualWORLEY, ID
$3,300
Aug 4, 2024
2
SCOTT, JB
SELF EMPLOYEDREAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualBOISE, ID
$3,300
Apr 16, 2024
3
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
MELALEUCACEO
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$3,300
May 1, 2024
4
TURLINGTON, SCOTT
TAMARACK RESORTHOSPITALITY
IndividualTAMARACK, ID
$3,300
Apr 20, 2024
5
VANDERSLOOT, BELINDA
HOMEMAKERHOMEMAKER
IndividualIDAHO FALLS, ID
$3,300
May 1, 2024
6
BENNETT, BRETT
BENNETT LUMBERPRESIDENT
IndividualMOSCOW, ID
$3,300
Oct 28, 2023
7
WILLIAMS, LARRY
TREE TOP RANCHESOWNER
IndividualBOISE, ID
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
8
CENTERS, JAKE
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualMERIDIAN, ID
$3,300
Feb 15, 2024
9
ROOPE, CALEB
THE PACIFIC COMPANIESCEO
IndividualEAGLE, ID
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024
10
ROOPE, CALEB
THE PACIFIC COMPANIESCEO
IndividualEAGLE, ID
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024

Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]

ID: B001291

Top Contributors

10

1
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$3,300
Sep 27, 2024
3
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION - YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
OrganizationYSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO, TX
$2,500
Jun 13, 2023
4
WORTHAM, ROBERT JUDGE
JEFFERSON COUNTYDISTRICT ATTORNEY
IndividualBEAUMONT, TX
$6,600
Jul 14, 2023
5
WORTHAM, ROBERT J. JUDGE
IndividualBEAUMONT, TX
$6,600
Jul 20, 2023
6
BARTLETT, BRUCE
BARTLETT GROUPTREASURER
IndividualRANCHO SANTA FE, CA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2023
7
MCINGVALE, JAMES F.
GALLERY FURNITUREFOUNDER/CEO
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 3, 2023
8
MCINGVALE, LINDA
GALLERY FURNITURE/WESTSIDE TENNIS CLUBBUSINESS OWNER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 3, 2023
9
OZMEN, FATIH M. MRS.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualSPARKS, NV
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
10
ALLEN, ROGER
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualPASADENA, TX
$3,300
Jul 3, 2024

Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]

ID: B001316

Top Contributors

10

1
OZARK SHOOT-DON'T SHOOT SOLUTIONS LLC
OrganizationHIGHLANDVILLE, MO
$250
Oct 11, 2024
2
CARNES, CAROL
SELF EMPLOYEDREAL ESTATE AGENT
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, MO
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
3
WATTS, BARRY
SAVINGYOUTAXES.COMFINANCIAL ADVISOR
IndividualROGERSVILLE, MO
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
4
JOHN, STACK
ISAGENIXINDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, MO
$3,300
Nov 20, 2023
5
BRAUER, BEAU
HUNTER ENGINEERINGPRESIDENT
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
6
BRAUER, BEAU
HUNTER ENGINEERINGPRESIDENT
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
7
BRAUER, SUZY
IndividualBRIDGETON, MO
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
8
BRAUER, SUZY
IndividualBRIDGETON, MO
$3,300
Jan 4, 2024
9
KAMAT, SONA
WEST COUNTY RHEUMATOLOGYRHEUMATOLOGIST
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$3,300
Jan 12, 2024
10
WHIRE, DEBBIEJO
KANAKUKCAMPING
IndividualBRANSON, MO
$3,300
Feb 15, 2024

Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

ID: H001077

Top Contributors

10

1
HEBERT, MARC
JONES WALKERATTORNEY
IndividualMETAIRIE, LA
$3,500
Sep 8, 2024
2
HAMER, GREGORY J MR. SR
B&G FOOD ENTERPRISES LLC.CORP. SECRETARY
IndividualMORGAN CITY, LA
$3,300
Nov 25, 2024
3
FREY, GERARD A.
SELF EMPLOYEDFARMERS
IndividualIOTA, LA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
4
CRAPPEL, ADAM
AE OFFICE MACHINESPRESIDENT
IndividualPATTERSON, LA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
5
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
ULINECEO
IndividualLAKE BLUFF, IL
$3,300
Jan 26, 2023
6
BOLLINGER, DONALD
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNEW ORLEANS, LA
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
7
BOLLINGER, DONALD
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNEW ORLEANS, LA
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
8
COOLEY, WILLIAM
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualWEST PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
9
HAMER, GREGORY J MR. SR
BG FOOD ENTERPRISES LLCEXECUTIVE
IndividualMORGAN CITY, LA
$3,300
Mar 12, 2024
10
DAVIS, JORDAN
WESTERN CONSTRUCTION ROOFINGSALES PROJECT MANAGER
IndividualHARRISON, ID
$3,300
Jan 9, 2024

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

ID: H001086

Top Contributors

10

1
BROWN, NANCY I.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Mar 7, 2024
2
NANCY, BROWN
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Mar 31, 2024
3
GREGORY, LUCINDA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualPINEY FLATS, TN
$6,600
May 21, 2024
4
BANKE, BARBARA R
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Nov 30, 2023
5
MORRIS, GLENN
IndividualSTUART, FL
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
6
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J MISS
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jul 16, 2024
7
EGER, MORDECHI
HLU SALES INCOWNER
IndividualAIRMONT, NY
$5,000
Dec 28, 2023
8
BORDEAU, BRAD
BORDEAU METALSCEO
IndividualDICKSON, TN
$5,000
Sep 11, 2024
9
BENTZ, KAREN
IndividualGATLINBURG, TN
$5,000
Sep 30, 2023
10
MOUNTAIN, MONICA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNEW TAZEWELL, TN
$3,600
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

ID: M001212

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED TECHNICAL SERVICES
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
2
ENTERPRISE TARPAULIN PRODUCTS, INC.
OrganizationENTERPRISE, AL
$3,300
Aug 9, 2023
3
WINRED TECHNICAL SERVICES
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$3,300
Jul 16, 2023
4
WINRED TECHNICAL SERVICES
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$3,300
Jul 16, 2023
5
NORTH MONTGOMERY MATERIALS LLC
OrganizationMILLBROOK, AL
$3,300
Sep 11, 2023
6
PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, P.C.
OrganizationENTERPRISE, AL
$3,300
Aug 21, 2023
7
SOUTHLAND STRUCTURAL LLC
OrganizationFLORALA, AL
$3,300
Aug 22, 2023
8
WATSON GLASS
OrganizationENTERPRISE, AL
$3,300
Sep 13, 2023
9
WATSON GLASS
OrganizationENTERPRISE, AL
$3,300
Sep 13, 2023
10
ARGUTA RESOURCES, LLC
OrganizationEUFAULA, AL
$2,500
Aug 2, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 53 nodes and 38 connections (46 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $169,729

Top Donors - Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC2 Orgs13 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped, 1 harmed.

  • Section 2 of the bill amends the General Education Provisions Act to require prior written consent for surveys, analyses, or evaluations that reveal personal information about students or their families, which could potentially reduce the amount of data available to for-profit education institutions and limit their ability to target marketing efforts.

  • +Teachers Unionsconfidence 0.60

    The bill's focus on protecting student privacy and requiring parental consent may be seen as aligning with the interests of teachers unions, which often advocate for student welfare and reduced administrative burdens on educators, as mentioned in Section 1: 'Parents Opt-in Protection Act'

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.

Introduction

Moderate63.3%
Pages: 377-379

— 344 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise pronouns). The federal government could demand that schools include curriculum or lessons regarding critical race or gender theory in a way that violates parental rights, especially if it requires minors to disclose information about their religious beliefs, or beliefs about race or gender in violation of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (20 USC Sec. 1232h). To remedy the lack of clear and robust protection for parental rights, the next Administration should: l Work to pass a federal Parents’ Bill of Rights that restores parental rights to a “top-tier” right. Such legislation would give families a fair hearing in court when the federal government enforces any policy against parents in a way that undermines their right and responsibility to raise, educate, and care for their children. The law would require the government to satisfy “strict scrutiny”—the highest standard of judicial review—when the government infringes parental rights. l Further ensure that any regulations that could impact parental rights contain similar protections and require federal agencies to demonstrate that their action meets strict scrutiny before a final rule is promulgated. At the same time, Congress should also consider equipping parents with a private right of action. Two federal laws provide certain privacy protections for students attending educational institutions or programs funded by the department. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records and allows parents and students over the age of 18 to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school and to request corrections to those records. FERPA also authorizes a number of excep- tions to this records privacy protection that allow schools to disclose the student’s education records without the consent or knowledge of the parent or student. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) requires schools to obtain paren- tal consent before asking questions, including surveys, about political affiliations or beliefs; mental or psychological issues; sexual behaviors or attitudes; critical appraisals of family members; illegal or self-incriminating behavior; religious prac- tices or beliefs; privileged relationships, as with doctors and clergy; and family income, unless for program eligibility. The difficulty for parents is that FERPA and PPRA do not authorize a private right of action. If a school refuses to comply with either statute, the only remedy is for the parent or student (if over the age of 18) to file an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, which must then work with the school to obtain compliance before taking any action to suspend or terminate federal — 345 — Department of Education financial assistance. Investigations can take months if not years. The department has never suspended or terminated the funding for an educational institution or agency for violating FERPA or PPRA. In essence, Congress has granted parents and students important statutory rights without an effective remedy to assert those rights. l The next Administration should work with Congress to amend FERPA and PPRA to provide parents and students over the age of 18 years with a private right of action to seek injunctive and declaratory relief, together with attorneys’ fees and costs if a prevailing party, against educational institutions and agencies that violate rights enshrined in these statutes. This will empower parents and students, level the playing field between families and education bureaucracies, and encourage institutional compliance with these statutory requirements. Protect Parental Rights in Policy In addition to strengthening legal protections for parents, the next Adminis- tration should: l Prioritize legislation advancing such rights. Promising ideas have appeared in bills introduced in the 117th Congress such as H.R.8767, the Empowering Parents Act,15 sponsored by Representative Bob Good (R-VA); H.R. 6056, the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act,16 sponsored by Representative Julia Letlow (R-LA); and H.J.Res. 99,17 proposing an amendment to the Constitution relating to parental rights, sponsored by Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). l These congressional actions should be carefully reviewed to make sure they complement state Parents' Bills of Rights, such as those passed in Georgia (2022), Florida (2021), Montana (2021), Wyoming (2017), Idaho (2015), Oklahoma (2014), Virginia (2013), and Arizona (2010). As documented by writers such as Abigail Shrier and others, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons documented a four-fold increase in the number of biological girls seeking gender surgery between 2016 and 2017. Larger increases were found in the U.K. from 2009 to 2019 and 2017 to 2018. These statistics and others point to a social contagion in which minor children, especially girls, are attempting to make life-altering decisions using puberty blockers and other hor- mone treatments and even surgeries to remove or alter vital body parts. Heritage Foundation research finds that providing easier access to such treatments and

Introduction

Moderate63.3%
Pages: 377-379

— 344 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise pronouns). The federal government could demand that schools include curriculum or lessons regarding critical race or gender theory in a way that violates parental rights, especially if it requires minors to disclose information about their religious beliefs, or beliefs about race or gender in violation of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (20 USC Sec. 1232h). To remedy the lack of clear and robust protection for parental rights, the next Administration should: l Work to pass a federal Parents’ Bill of Rights that restores parental rights to a “top-tier” right. Such legislation would give families a fair hearing in court when the federal government enforces any policy against parents in a way that undermines their right and responsibility to raise, educate, and care for their children. The law would require the government to satisfy “strict scrutiny”—the highest standard of judicial review—when the government infringes parental rights. l Further ensure that any regulations that could impact parental rights contain similar protections and require federal agencies to demonstrate that their action meets strict scrutiny before a final rule is promulgated. At the same time, Congress should also consider equipping parents with a private right of action. Two federal laws provide certain privacy protections for students attending educational institutions or programs funded by the department. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records and allows parents and students over the age of 18 to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school and to request corrections to those records. FERPA also authorizes a number of excep- tions to this records privacy protection that allow schools to disclose the student’s education records without the consent or knowledge of the parent or student. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) requires schools to obtain paren- tal consent before asking questions, including surveys, about political affiliations or beliefs; mental or psychological issues; sexual behaviors or attitudes; critical appraisals of family members; illegal or self-incriminating behavior; religious prac- tices or beliefs; privileged relationships, as with doctors and clergy; and family income, unless for program eligibility. The difficulty for parents is that FERPA and PPRA do not authorize a private right of action. If a school refuses to comply with either statute, the only remedy is for the parent or student (if over the age of 18) to file an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, which must then work with the school to obtain compliance before taking any action to suspend or terminate federal

Introduction

Moderate62.1%
Pages: 377-379

— 345 — Department of Education financial assistance. Investigations can take months if not years. The department has never suspended or terminated the funding for an educational institution or agency for violating FERPA or PPRA. In essence, Congress has granted parents and students important statutory rights without an effective remedy to assert those rights. l The next Administration should work with Congress to amend FERPA and PPRA to provide parents and students over the age of 18 years with a private right of action to seek injunctive and declaratory relief, together with attorneys’ fees and costs if a prevailing party, against educational institutions and agencies that violate rights enshrined in these statutes. This will empower parents and students, level the playing field between families and education bureaucracies, and encourage institutional compliance with these statutory requirements. Protect Parental Rights in Policy In addition to strengthening legal protections for parents, the next Adminis- tration should: l Prioritize legislation advancing such rights. Promising ideas have appeared in bills introduced in the 117th Congress such as H.R.8767, the Empowering Parents Act,15 sponsored by Representative Bob Good (R-VA); H.R. 6056, the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act,16 sponsored by Representative Julia Letlow (R-LA); and H.J.Res. 99,17 proposing an amendment to the Constitution relating to parental rights, sponsored by Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). l These congressional actions should be carefully reviewed to make sure they complement state Parents' Bills of Rights, such as those passed in Georgia (2022), Florida (2021), Montana (2021), Wyoming (2017), Idaho (2015), Oklahoma (2014), Virginia (2013), and Arizona (2010). As documented by writers such as Abigail Shrier and others, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons documented a four-fold increase in the number of biological girls seeking gender surgery between 2016 and 2017. Larger increases were found in the U.K. from 2009 to 2019 and 2017 to 2018. These statistics and others point to a social contagion in which minor children, especially girls, are attempting to make life-altering decisions using puberty blockers and other hor- mone treatments and even surgeries to remove or alter vital body parts. Heritage Foundation research finds that providing easier access to such treatments and — 346 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise surgeries without parental involvement does not reduce the suicidality of these young people and may even increase suicide rates. l The next Administration should take particular note of how radical gender ideology is having a devastating effect on school-aged children today—especially young girls. School officials in some states are requiring teachers and other school employ- ees to accept a minor child’s decision to assume a different “gender” while at school—without notifying parents. In California, New Jersey, and certain districts in Kansas and elsewhere, educators are prohibited from informing parents about children’s confusion over their sex if the children do not want their parents to know. Such policies allow schools to drive a wedge between parents and children. The next Administration should work with Congress to provide an example to state lawmakers by requiring K–12 districts under federal jurisdiction, including Wash- ington, D.C., public schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and Department of Defense schools, with legislation stating that: l No public education employee or contractor shall use a name to address a student other than the name listed on a student’s birth certificate, without the written permission of a student’s parents or guardians. l No public education employee or contractor shall use a pronoun in addressing a student that is different from that student’s biological sex without the written permission of a student’s parents or guardians. l No public institution may require an education employee or contractor to use a pronoun that does not match a person’s biological sex if contrary to the employee’s or contractor’s religious or moral convictions. State lawmakers should use this model and adopt similar provisions for public schools within their borders. Federal lawmakers should not allow public school employees to keep secrets about a child from that child’s parents. Advance School Choice Policies The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, a voucher program providing scholarships to children from low-income families living in the nation’s capital to attend a private school of choice, is capped at $20 million annually and limited to

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Policy matches are calculated using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text. A score of 60% or higher indicates meaningful thematic overlap. This does not imply direct causation or intent, but highlights areas where legislation aligns with Project 2025 policy objectives.

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