Empower Parents to Protect their Kids Act

This bill, called the Empower Parents to Protect their Kids Act, ties federal school funding to parent consent and transparency on any school actions related to a child’s gender transition. Schools could not take steps to affirm a student’s identity that is different from the student’s sex—such as making referrals to medical providers—without a parent’s express permission. Staff also could not hide or withhold related information from parents or pressure families or students to pursue interventions. These rules apply to students under age 18 and to any elementary or secondary school that receives federal funds.

Schools would have to adopt and share a written policy explaining how they will follow these requirements, give the policy to families, and post it on the school’s website. Parents or other qualified parties could sue for violations; courts could order compliance, award attorney’s fees to a winning plaintiff, and require payment for therapy to address harm from a gender transition pursued, as determined by the parent and the child’s medical providers. If a suit is frivolous and the school wins, the school could recover attorney’s fees. The bill allows staff to contact authorities if there is an imminent risk of physical abuse to a student.

Key points

• Who is affected: K–12 schools receiving federal funds, their staff, students under 18, and parents.
• What changes: Parent consent is required before any action that affirms a student’s identity different from their sex; staff may not hide related information or pressure families to proceed with interventions; schools must publish compliance policies .
• How it’s enforced: Federal funding conditions, required school policies, and a right to sue with possible court orders, attorney’s fees, and therapy payments; fees may also be awarded to schools if a lawsuit is found frivolous.
• Safety exception: Staff may alert authorities if they reasonably suspect an imminent threat of physical abuse to a student.