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Republican bill to require parental consent in schools draws heated debate in Rules hearing
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Summary
Representative Owens defended HR 2,616 as parental‑rights legislation for K‑8 schools; opponents, including Representative Scott, said the measure would endanger transgender students, micromanage school forms and exceed federal authority over curricula.
Representative Burgess Owens testified in favor of HR 2,616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, telling the Rules Committee "There are only 2 sexes, male and female," and arguing parents must be the first to know about significant school actions affecting children. He said the bill would bar federal funds from promoting what he called "radical gender ideology" and prohibit schools that receive federal elementary and secondary funding from making gender‑affirming changes without parental consent.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries/Representative David Scott (witness) strongly opposed the bill, calling it "misnamed," and argued it would force schools to reveal or out transgender children to parents in cases where doing so could be unsafe. He said the bill's requirement that schools obtain parental consent before changing a "covered student's preferred name on any school form" would apply to every elementary and middle‑grade student and could force disclosure in circumstances harming student welfare.
Members asked detailed implementation questions: what constitutes a "school form," whether a roster or seating chart would be covered, how schools would obtain consent and whether the bill is a uniform federal preemption of local control. Supporters said the bill protects parental rights; opponents said it is overly broad and harms vulnerable pupils and local autonomy.
No votes were taken during the hearing; the Rules Committee will determine floor procedure and whether amendments to narrow or clarify scope will be allowed.
