Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2616

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-05-21: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T05:06:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill aims to protect parental involvement in decisions about gender-related changes for minor students in public schools by conditioning federal education funding on obtaining parental consent. It also seeks to prevent the use of those funds for teaching concepts related to gender ideology.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Parental Consent Requirement: Public elementary and middle schools receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 must obtain consent from a parent before altering a covered student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before changing sex-based accommodations such as locker rooms or bathrooms.
• Covered Students: Applies only to minors in elementary school or middle grades.
• Funding Prohibition: Amends existing law to bar the use of Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds for teaching or promoting concepts related to gender ideology, as defined in a referenced Executive Order.
• Definitions: Uses standard terms from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for "elementary school," "middle grades," and "parent."

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

• Adds a new condition on receiving Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds that did not previously exist.
• Modifies Section 8526 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by inserting a new prohibition on gender ideology content, shifting the list of restricted uses of funds.

Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations

• Government Agencies: Requires public schools and potentially the Department of Education to enforce parental consent rules as a condition of federal funding, which could affect how schools manage student records and facilities.
• Citizens: Increases parental oversight in school decisions for elementary and middle school students while limiting schools' ability to make unilateral changes; students may experience different policies on name, pronoun, and facility use.
• International Relations: No provisions address or impact international matters.

Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation

• Public elementary and middle schools that receive federal education funds.
• Parents of minor students in those grades.
• Covered students (minors in elementary or middle school).
• Federal education agencies responsible for distributing and overseeing Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Ties compliance to federal spending authority under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, creating enforceable conditions on schools.
• Introduces a statutory reference to an Executive Order's definition of gender ideology, linking legislation to administrative interpretations.
• Focuses on parental consent and funding restrictions, which could interact with existing state education laws and school policies on student privacy and accommodations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Onder, Robert [R-MO-3], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-21: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
• 2026-05-20: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-05-20: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 217 - 198 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3652) (Roll call 184)
• 2026-05-20: 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) (Roll call 184)
• 2026-05-20: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 207 - 208 (Roll no. 183). (Roll call 183)
• 2026-05-20: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3660-3661)
• 2026-05-20: 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.
• 2026-05-20: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
• 2026-05-20: Ms. Balint moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (CR H3658)
• 2026-05-20: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
• 2026-05-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2616.
• 2026-05-20: 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.
• 2026-05-20: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3652-3659)
• 2026-04-29: 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.
• 2026-01-13: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 377.

Bill Versions

• Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (4 pages)
• Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (2 pages)
• Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (3 pages)
• Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (6 pages)

Related Bills

• H.Res. 1224 (119th Congress)