Billmaker seeks opt-in requirement and attachments for nonacademic surveys; committee hears testimony pro and con on YRBS privacy and public-health value

Representative Melissa Litchfield introduced an amendment to House Bill 446 that would: (1) require school districts to attach nonacademic surveys to parent/mail or email notices rather than only posting a link, and (2) change the statutory treatment of the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from opt-out to opt-in so parents must expressly consent for their children to participate.

Litchfield said the amendment responds to constituent concerns that links alone are insufficient notice and that the YRBS contains sensitive questions. "The goal is to provide the same courtesy that they're receiving with all other nonacademic surveys," she said.

Public testimony was sharply divided. Advocates for parental-notification and privacy, including parental-rights advocates and several parents who described finding sensitive questions about sexual activity, suicide and ****** orientation in local survey packets,…