Committee adopts amended SB 72 after heated debate over teacher disclosure and minor medical consent

The House Children and Family Law Committee voted 9-7 on May 6 to adopt an amendment to Senate Bill 72 that broadens parental access to information about their children's health, school behavior and some medical decisions, and then voted 9-7 to pass the bill as amended.

Representative Raymond moved the first amendment considered (2025-15-30 H) to SB 72, arguing teachers should report information about a child’s health and school behavior but should not be “surveillance operatives” required to out students. "I think it's okay for the teacher to say, 'Yeah, I'm concerned about some of the company your child is keeping,'" Representative Raymond said. That first amendment failed on a roll call, 7-9.

The committee then took up a broader package (amendment 2025-18-32 H). Supporters said the larger amendment more comprehensively lists parental rights and clarifies when schools must notify parents about bullying, criminal offenses on campus, drug use and threats of self-harm. Representative DeSimone, who moved the committee’s subsequent actions, described the amendment as "much more comprehensive" and said it was intended to help parents partner with schools during adolescence.

Opponents at the hearing said the…