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Federal Bill: HR 2616

Parental Consent for Student Gender Identity Changes

Topics

Health Freedom

Bill Information

MAHA Approved

Summary

Bill Summary

US HR2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to obtain written parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school records or before altering access to sex-based facilities such as locker rooms and bathrooms. The bill also prohibits the use of ESEA funds for teaching or promoting concepts related to "gender ideology" as defined in related executive guidance. This legislation directly addresses parental involvement in decisions affecting their children's school experience and records.


Why It Matters to MAHA

MAHA strongly supports this bill because it fundamentally upholds parental autonomy and health freedom by ensuring parents retain decision-making authority over their children's medical and social care within schools. The requirement for parental consent aligns with core MAHA principles that patients and their families, not government institutions, should control health-related decisions and personal information. By restricting the use of federal education funds to promote specific ideological frameworks, the bill protects transparency and prevents schools from advancing particular worldviews without parental knowledge or agreement. This measure reinforces that schools should prioritize communicating with parents rather than operating independently on matters affecting children's wellbeing and development.

Introduced

04/03/2025

In Committee

05/21/2026

Passed

05/20/2026

Sponsors

Burgess Owens

Burgess Owens

Republican Representative (UT)

202-225-3011owens.house.gov
Mary Miller

Mary Miller

Republican Representative (IL)

202-225-5271marymiller.house.gov

Robert F. Onder

Cosponsor

Kevin Kiley

Kevin Kiley

Independent Representative (CA)

202-225-2523kiley.house.gov

Activity

05/21/2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

05/20/2026

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

05/20/2026

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652)

05/20/2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652)

05/20/2026

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183).

05/20/2026

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3660-3661)

05/20/2026

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 2616, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

05/20/2026

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

05/20/2026

Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (CR H3658)

05/20/2026

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

05/20/2026

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2616.

05/20/2026

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.

05/20/2026

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3652-3659)

04/29/2026

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.

01/13/2026

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 377.

01/13/2026

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-441.

04/09/2025

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.

04/09/2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

04/03/2025

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

04/03/2025

Introduced in House

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