HB 1476 Summary

• Establishes parental rights as fundamental rights that cannot be substantially burdened by the state without a compelling governmental interest, covering upbringing, education, health care, and mental health decisions.

• Requires school districts to develop policies promoting parental involvement, including parental access to curricula at least 3 days before instruction, syllabi 7 days before class, and right to opt children out of gender identity or sexual orientation instruction with 3 days' notice.

• Mandates parental written consent before schools can use alternative names/pronouns for students, conduct medical procedures, prescribe medications, or perform mental health evaluations, except in medical emergencies.

• Prohibits school employees from encouraging children to withhold information from parents or withholding health-related information from parents without law enforcement involvement.

• Allows parents to bring civil lawsuits for violations with recovery of declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney's fees; waives governmental immunity for violations.