Reported in House — H.R. 2616

Union Calendar No. 377

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 2616

[Report No. 119–441]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 3, 2025

Mr. Walberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

January 13, 2026

Additional sponsors: Mr. Owens, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Onder, and Mr. Kiley of California

January 13, 2026

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 3, 2025

A BILL

To require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act or the PROTECT Kids Act.

Sec. 2. Parental consent requirement related to gender markers, pronouns, and preferred names on school forms and sex-based accommodations

(a) Requirement

As a condition of receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), a public school that receives funds under such Act shall obtain parental consent before changing a covered student’s—

(1)

gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or

(2)

sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

(b) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Covered student

The term covered student means a minor who is—

(A)

an elementary school student; or

(B)

a student in any of the middle grades.

(2) ESEA terms

The terms elementary school, middle grades, and parent have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).